What is the scientific name for vitamin B12?

Answer 1

B-12 refers to a group of cobalt-containing vitamer compounds known as cobalamins: these include cyanocobalamin (an artifact formed as a result of the use of cyanide in the purification procedures), hydroxocobalamin (another medicinal form), and finally, the two naturally occurring cofactor forms of B-12: 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (adenosylcobalamin-AdoB-12), the cofactor of Methylmalonyl Coenzyme A mutase (MUT), and methylcobalamin (MeB-12), the cofactor of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase (MTR).

The term B-12 may be properly used to refer to cyanocobalamin, the principal B-12 form used for foods and in nutritional supplements.[1]

Answer 2

B12 is cobalamin, the most common form is cyanocobalamin but although this can be absorbed in the intestines it cannot be used by the body until it is converted to methylcobalamin (a slow process and much of the cyanocobalamin is excreted before it could be converted). Sublingual methylcobalamin tablets are needed to get the usable form directly. Do not swallow methylcobalamin tablets as stomach acid will destroy this form of B12, they must be held under the tongue to dissolve and absorb through the mucus membrane of the mouth into the bloodstream.

Answer 3

The scientific name for vitamin B12 is cobalamin. It is an essential nutrient for proper red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis in the body.

Answer 4

cobalamin