What Is a Coenzymated Vitamin? Exploring Coenzymated B12 Benefits

If you’re shopping for B-vitamins, you likely come across the phrase coenzymated” on labels.

Your doctor or healthcare practitioner may have also recommended a coenzymated form of B12, folate, B-complex, or other nutrients.

So, what exactly are coenzymated vitamins and how do they differ from other forms?

In this article, you’ll learn all about coenzymated vitamins, including how they differ from other forms, who may benefit from coenzymated vitamins, and how to find a clean source.

What Does Coenzymated Mean?

The term coenzymated” on a supplement label or fact sheet refers to the activated bioavailable form of a nutrient, like vitamin B12 or CoQ10.

Let’s unpack the definition a bit more.

Enzymes are proteins that exist within cells and act as catalysts for various biological functions such as breaking down foods (digestive enzymes), creating metabolic reactions, and even managing pain.

Coenzymes, also known as consubstrates, are non-protein substances (like vitamins or minerals) that bind with an enzyme to support or initiate biochemical reactions.

So coenzymes are there to help various enzymes—of which there are thousands within our cells—function properly by activating them.

Think coenzymes as helper molecules for a biochemical reaction.

So, what does this have to do with vitamins?

Coenzymation relates to vitamins, particular B-vitamins, in the following ways:

B-vitamins are some of the most well-known co-enzymes that help facilitate various cellular reactions and bodily functions such as: 

• Energy production
• Red blood cell function
• Metabolic functions
• Hormonal balance
• Nervous system regulation
• Aspects of digestion
• And much more

B-vitamins also help enzymes convert foods into useful nutrients we use for energy.

Non-activated B-vitamins must be converted into their active (or coenzymated) forms to be absorbed and utilized by the body.

The coenzymation/activation process typically takes place in the liver and/or digestion.

For example, when vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is consumed from food or an inactive form of B12 from a supplement, like cyanocobalamin, it must be converted to its activated form (adenosylcobalamin or methylcobalamin) in order to be metabolized and absorbed.

Some B-vitamin supplements, like B12 and folate, are available in coenzymated or activated” forms which may be more bioavailable (absorbable) than non-coenzymated forms.

These activated forms of B12 include:

• Adenosylcobalamin
• Methylcobalamin
• Hydroxocobalamin

We’ll discuss this more in subsequent sections.

The big takeaways are: 

• Co-enzymes make many enzyme reactions possible in the body
• They also create more bioavailable forms of vitamins, like B12 and folate
• B-vitamins are one of nature’s most prevalent coenzymes

Why Types Of Vitamins are Coenzymated?

As discussed previously, B vitamins like vitamin B12, folate, and others are often sold in coenzymated (also known as activated or methylated) forms, including:

• Benfotiamine (activated form of B1)
• Riboflavin 5’ phosphate (activated form of B2)
• Methylcobalamin (the activated form of B12)
• Adenosylcobalamin (the activated form of B12)
• Pyridoxine hydrochloride, pyridoxal 5’ phosphate, pyridoxine alpha- ketoglutarate hydrochloride (activated forms of B6)
• Methylfolate or L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate calcium salt (activated forms of folate)

CoQ10 in the form of ubiquinone is another example of a coenzymated nutrient.

Some research suggests there are benefits to taking coenzymated vitamins, particularly B-vitamins, especially for people with certain genetic variations, SNPs, or pre-existing health conditions.

Benefits Of Coenzymated B-12, B-Vitamins, & Other Nutrients

The science surrounding the benefits of coenzymated B-vitamins is still emerging.

However, some studies suggest activated forms of B-vitamins, like methylcobalamin or methylfolate, may be better absorbed than their inactive forms.

This is especially significant for anyone with genetic variations that may impact B-vitamin absorption, such as MTHFR or other health conditions that may impact nutrient activation, assimilation, and absorption in the liver or digestive tract.

MTHFR can negatively impact folate and B12 levels either by producing excess unmetabolized nutrients (from inactivated sources), deficiencies, or insufficiencies. In these cases, taking activated forms of these vitamins may be essential.

For example, a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that high blood levels of unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) were associated with an increased risk of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

This study is potentially significant as folic acid is the inactivated form of methylfolate, and has led many healthcare practitioners to recommend against the use of folic acid supplements in people with MTHFR.

Research has also shown coenzymated B12 may have specific benefits for metabolic health, anemia, eye health, immune function, and more.

Another benefit is that coenzymated B-vitamins are the natural or body-identical forms of the nutrients, while the inactivated forms are synthetic and require activation by the body.

Conversely, some studies have shown the inactivated forms of vitamins are better or equally as well absorbed and effective as the activated, but more research is needed on more diverse groups.

Anecdotally, many people report better health outcomes, such as more energy or improved nutrient levels, after switching to activated forms of B-vitamins or other nutrients.

Talk to your healthcare practitioner about the best options for you.

Related reading: 7 Great Reasons To Take Vitamin B

How Do I Know If I Need Coenzymated B12, B-Vitamins, or Other Nutrients?

One potential downside of coenzymated vitamins is they tend to be more expensive than inactive forms.

So, is it worth the investment for everyone? The only way to know for sure is to test, not guess.

You or your healthcare practitioner can order tests to check for genetic variations, like MTHFR, that may impact absorption of B-vitamins, like B12 or folate.

Your provider may also recommend checking your homocysteine levels, which can be an indicator of B-vitamin deficiency or insufficiency.

Knowing the symptoms of B-vitamin deficiency, such as low energy, cognitive health issues, mental/emotional health problems, metabolic challenges, sleep problems, neurological problems, hormonal imbalance, thinning hair, skin, and nails and others may also be helpful in determining the best course of action.

You may also choose to try activated vitamins, like a coenzymated B-Complex, and see how you feel. If you feel an improvement versus when taking a synthetic version, that’s an indication that the activated form may work better for your body.

If you’re otherwise healthy with no genetic variations or predispositions to deficiency, then the more affordable inactivated forms of B-vitamins, like cyanocobalamin, should be very beneficial.

Since B-vitamins are water soluble, they are generally very safe to take as a supplement as the body will excrete any excess in the urine.

Related reading: Are You Deficient in Vitamin B12? 23 Benefits of B12 for Memory, Mood, Beauty, Energy, & More

Looking For Coenzymated B-Vitamins? Country Life Can Help

Since 1971 Country Life has been formulating and manufacturing high-quality dietary supplements, including coenzymated and traditional B-vitamin varieties like:

• Coenzyme B-Complex Caps
• Coenzyme B-Complex Advanced
• Methyl B12 Lozenges
• Vitamin B6
• B12 Gummies
• And many others

All our products are rigorously tested, from raw ingredients to finished supplements, to ensure a clean product and accurate potency in our NSF-GMP-compliant certified gluten-free and certified organic manufacturing facilities. 

We maintain our celebrated quality through extensive research, natural sourcing, and accurate labeling.

Click here to shop all Country Life’s B-Vitamin supplements.

Sources mentioned in this article:

• An update on vitamin B12-related gene polymorphisms and B12 status”. Genes Nutr. 2018
• Vitamin B12 Fact Sheet for Health Professionals”. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
• Folate Insufficiency Due to MTHFR Deficiency Is Bypassed by 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate”. Journal of Clinical Medicine.
• Absorption of cyanocobalamin, coenzyme B12, methylcobalamin, and hydroxocobalamin at different dose levels”. Scand J Gastroenterol.
• Unmetabolized serum folic acid and its relation to folic acid intake from diet and supplements in a nationally representative sample of adults aged ≥60 y in the United States”. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
• Comparative Bioavailability and Utilization of Particular Forms of B12 Supplements With Potential to Mitigate B12-related Genetic Polymorphisms”. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal.
• Effectiveness of vitamin B12 on diabetic neuropathy: systematic review of clinical controlled trials”. Acta Neurol Taiwan. 
• The Coenzyme Forms of Vitamin B12: To-ward an Understanding of their Therapeutic
• Potential.” Gregory Kelly, N.D. Alt Med Review.
• Homocysteine Test”. The Cleveland Clinic.