B12, What's Up With This?

Question

I have some questions about Vitamin B12

-Is it really only found in animals?

-Where is it coming from in supplements

-How would a vegan get B12 if they did not have access to supplements

Thanks

Answer 1

Cyanocobalamin is a compound that is metabolized to a vitamin in the B complex commonly known as vitamin B12 (or B12 for short).

The name vitamin B12 is used in two different ways. In a broad sense it refers to a group of cobalt-containing compounds known as cobalamins - cyanocobalamin (an artifact formed as a result of the use of cyanide in the purification procedures), hydroxocobalamin and the two coenzyme forms of B12, methylcobalamin (MeB12) and 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (adenosylcobalamin - AdoB12). In a more specific way, the term B12 is used to refer to only one of these forms, cyanocobalamin, which is the principal B12 form used for foods and in nutritional supplements.


B12 can be made by neither plants nor by animals[2], as the only type of organisms that have the enzymes required for the synthesis of B12 are bacteria and archaea.

Answer 2

Vitamin B12 is naturally found in foods that come from animals, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products.
Fortified breakfast cereals are a particularly valuable source of vitamin B12 for vegetarians. Others include B12-fortified nutritional yeast, soy and rice-based beverages.

Answer 3

You've gotta have your B12, very important!

"One brand of nutritional yeast, Red Star T-6635+, has been tested and shown to contain active vitamin B12. This brand of yeast is often labeled as Vegetarian Support Formula with or without T-6635+ in parentheses following this new name. It is a reliable source of vitamin B12. Nutritional yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a food yeast, grown on a molasses solution, which comes as yellow flakes or powder. It has a cheesy taste. Nutritional yeast is different from brewer’s yeast or torula yeast. those sensitive to other yeasts can often use it." -http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/b12.htm

Answer 4

Well, even animals do not produce B12 naturally. Animals injest B12 from plant sources, then they themselves become a source of B12. B12 is not produced naturally by either plants, animals, or humans. A vegan can get all of the B12 they need through nutritional yeasts and/or supplements. Here is a link
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=skittles&gbv=2

Answer 5

B12 isn't found in animals, nope in fruits too

red bull is packed with them and there fromthe fruit in it b12 is energy also vitamin d can make some vitamin b through your own body and its metabolism

Answer 6

yes it is found in animal foods like meat and dairy products but not only in these animal foods. they are also found in foods fortified with this vitamin, such include breakfast cereals