Cobalt
(Cyanocobalamin)

in Foods

This mineral (Cyanocobalamin, a cobalt compound), is commonly used as "vitamin B12" in vitamin pills and nutritional supplements. Vitamin B12 is found in meat, fish, poultry, milk products, and eggs are good sources.

How this mineral affects your health

This mineral is beneficial for humans because it is part of vitamin B12. However, this mineral can benefit or harm human health. For instance, exposure to high levels of this mineral can result in lung and heart effects and dermatitis. Liver and kidney effects have also been observed in animals exposed to high levels of this this mineral.

Exposure to large amounts of radiation from the radioactive form of this mineral can damage cells in your body from the radiation. You might also experience acute radiation syndrome that includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, coma, and even death. This would be a rare event.