Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) information, Benefits, Deficiency

Vitamin B12 Facts and Information

Vitamin B12 is commonly known as read vitamin and also cyanocobalamin. This is the only vitamin which contains essential mineral elements. Vitamin B12 is water soluble and effective in very small doses. Vitamin B12 is needed for the production of red blood cells and maintenance of protective sheath around nerves. It prevents anemia. Assists in cell formation and cellular longevity. Vitamin B 12 is synthesized exclusively by microorganisms and is found in the liver of animals. B 12 is no exception to the rest of the B complex, and it too helps in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Cobalamin is also needed in the production of red blood cells and keeps abnormally large red blood cells from forming. B 12 aids in the prevention of cirrhosis, by lowering the amount of fatty deposits that accumulate there.

Vitamin B12 is measured in milligrams(mg). B12 is essential for proper digestion and absorption of food, protein synthesis, and metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. Prevents nerve damage, maintains fertility, and promotes normal growth and development.

Dosage Recommendations

The recommended adult intake is 3.0mg. daily. The RDA for adults is 2.0 micrograms. This is plenty of B 12 to sustain you daily. A proper functioning thyroid gland helps Vitamin B12 absorbtion. This is not well assimilated throuh the stomach and needs to be combined with calcium during absorbtion to properly benefit body. Normal people do not need to take vitamin B12 supplements. Vegans do need to take a minimum of 2 – 3 mcg daily.

Benefits of Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Vitamin B12 is helpful in several ways.

• Form and regenerated red blood cells, thereby preventing anemia
• Promote growth and increase apetite in children
• Vitamin B12 may help restrain pre-cancerous lung conditions in smokers.
• Increase energy, maintain a healthy nervous system
• It favors the normal growth and is particularly useful in premature babies: the action is probably due to an adequate absorption of metabolic products by influencing the intrinsic factor of Castle formed in the gastric mucous membrane.
• Vitamin B12 properly utilises fat, carbohydrates and proteins
• Relieve irritation
• B12 is necessary for the rapid synthesis of DNA during cell division.
• Growth and development of nerve, skin, hair, and blood cells
• Produces genetic material
• Metabolizes amino and fatty acids
• Works to release food energy
• Helps treat Alzheimer's disease
• May help sufferers of nervous disorders
• Could improve immune system
• May see increase in energy and memory
• Vitamin B12 improves concentration, memory and balance

Deficiency Diseases from Vitamin B12

Low levels of B12 can cause anemia as well as numbness or tingling in the extremities and other neurologic symptoms such as weakness and loss of balance. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 causes following diseases

• Pernicious Anemia
• Brain Damage

Vitamin B12 Food Sources

Although vitamin B-12 is not found in plant foods, good sources of this supplement include meats, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Unlike folic acid, vitamin B12 is heat stable. Liver is the main storage site of vitamin B12. About 2 mg are stored in the liver and another 2 mg elsewhere in the body. Main food sources are -

Beef
Beef liver
Blue cheese
Clams
Dairy products
Eggs
Flounder
Herring
Liverwurst
Mackerel
Milk
Oysters
Sardines
Snapper
Swiss cheese