Vitamin B12

Vitamin B₁₂

C₆₃H₈₈Co N₁₄O₁₄P

What Is Vitamin B₁₂?

Vitamin B₁₂ is a very important vitamin in the B group and is important in regulating brain and nervous system functions, blood cell production, metabolism in cells, DNA synthesis and regulation, fatty acid synthesis, and energy production. B₁₂ is a molecule that contains cobalt and is plays an essential role in regenerating the body's folic acid supply.

What Foods Provide Vitamin B₁₂?

Vitamin B₁₂can be found in most meats, especially liver. It is found in shellfish, milk products and breakfast cereals. The highest concentrations of B₁₂ are found in energy drinks and B₁₂ injections.

Recommended Intakes of Vitamin B₁₂

Children should consume 6-8 micrograms of B₁₂ per day. Adults should consume 10-15 micrograms per day.

Vitamin B₁₂ Deficiency

Vitamin B₁₂ Deficiency is caused by an autoimmune inflammation of the stomach, the end result is pernicious anemia. Sometimes, the problem may be malabsorption in the stomach due to atrophic gastritis or an inflammation of the lining in the stomach.

Current Issues Regarding B₁₂

Vitamin B₁₂ injections are offered to the elderly who have a tough time absorbing the natural vitamin B₁₂ in food. Roger Clemons recently claims to have taken B₁₂ injections, not steroids. Since B₁₂ is responsible for natural energy, B₁₂ injections are becoming more common.

B₁₂ Health Risks

In large doses and with proper conditions, B₁₂ may lead to itching, rashes, transitory exanthema, rosaca fulminans, diarrhea, vascular thrombosis, megoblast anemia, cardio vascular disease and some forms of cancer.

B₁₂ Drug Interactions

Vitamin B₁₂interacts with many substances, most drugs inhibit formation or synthesis, which decreases levels of B₁₂ injested.

B₁₂and Cardiovascular Disease

Increased levels of homocystine in the blood can increase risk of cardiovascular disease, homocystine is regulated by folate, B₁₂, and B₆. A deficiency of B₁₂ may cause the homocystine levels to rise, increasing the risk of heart disease.

Diets Rich in B₁₂

To obtain proper levels of B₁₂ in the diet, one must consume meat, especially liver or shellfish. Many milk products contain B₁₂. Plants are a poor source of B₁₂. Supplements are often recommended however they contain up to 80 times the suggested intake, some pills contain 500-1000 micrograms alone.

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B12

http://www.vegsoc.org/info/b12.html

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminB12/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-vitaminb12.html

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/vitaminb12.html

http://www.yourhealthbase.com/vitamin_B12.html

http://www.webmd.com/diet/vitamin-b12-15239

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/vitamin-b12-deficiency-anemia-topic-overview

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002403.htm

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitaminb12.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanocobalamin

http://www.pdrhealth.com/drugs/altmed/altmed-mono.aspx?contentFileName=ame0171.xml&contentName=Vitamin+B12&contentId=334

http://www.vitaminworld.com/vf/healthnotes/hn75_english/Concern/Vitamin_B12_Deficiency.htm

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/vitaminb12.html

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/vitb12/b12.htm

http://www.purifymind.com/B12supplement.htm

Matt Roselle 2008