Cyanocobalamin

Studies in people

• Benefit

  Oral treatment for anemia²

  In people with pernicious anemia, taking cyanocobalamin by mouth improved vitamin B12 levels within a month.

• Concern

  Skin bacteria and acne³

  In one of ten people studied, vitamin B12 supplements changed skin bacteria and acne appeared.

Study type not stated

• Benefit

  low vitamin levels⁴

  Vitamin B12 is needed for DNA and energy, and low levels are common in vegetarians and older people.

How it’s made and used

• nutrient absorption at meals⁵

  How much cyanocobalamin the body absorbs drops when you eat more of it in one meal.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.