DOES PLANT-BASED FEED HAVE ENOUGH VITAMIN B12?

Before discussing whether plant-based feeds have enough vitamin B12, let's explain what vitamin B12 is and what its function is.

What is vitamin B12?

It is a water-soluble vitamin of bacterial origin. Vitamin b12 is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system, the formation of red blood cells and other essential functions of the body. It is important to stress that a deficiency of this vitamin can have serious, even irreversible consequences for the health of our furry companions. 

It is found mainly in foods of animal origin. These animals either obtain it from the environment by eating contaminated food containing vitamin B12-producing bacteria, in the case of ruminants it is generated by bacteria in their digestive system using other nutrients, or it is administered to them on farms in the form of a supplement of bacterial origin.

As vitamin B12 supplementation is a water-soluble vitamin, there is no risk of intoxication. If an excess of this vitamin were to be administered, it would be eliminated without problems in the urine. Poisoning can occur due to high levels, but only as a result of a malfunction in the body. It is usual to eliminate B12 that is not necessary.

Is it not unnatural to add this vitamin to the feed of our companions?

All feedstuffs on the market are supplemented with vitamin B12. In fact, the same product that is used to supplement feed with ingredients of animal origin is used to supplement feed with vegetable ingredients.

The production of vitamin B12 on an industrial level is possible thanks to a fermentation process by different types of bacteria, the bacterial strains have been selected and improved over the years.

Two types of vitamin B12

There are two types of vitamin B12, cyanocobalamin and methylcobalamin.

Cyanocobalamin is more stable and tends to be the most commonly used, although to be useful to the body it is broken down into methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin. Therefore, the most effective form of supply is methylcobalamin.

Concern about B12 deficiency is growing. It is becoming more and more prevalent and we can see it in the way human foods are supplemented with this vitamin. We have to understand that we all supplement with B12 either through vitamin complexes or through fortified feeds as we do with our companion's feed.

As for the dose administered, it is calculated according to the indications given by the FEDIAF (European Pet Food Manufacturers Federation) so that each animal, depending on its weight and with the consumption of its ration, obtains the necessary amount.

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