2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Vitamin B12 is one of the most controversial members of the B-complex vitamin family. It is unusual in its origin. While most vitamins are found in a wide variety of plants and animals, B12 is not produced by plant and animal species and the exclusive source of this vitamin is small microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, molds and algae.
Vitamin B12 is known by many names, namely: cobrinamide, cobinamide, cobamide, cobalamin, hydroxobalamin, aquocobalamin, nitrotocobalamin and others. Each of these names contains a form of the word cobalt, as cobalt is the mineral contained in the base of vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 it is also unusual because it is dependent on a substance called intrinsic factor to make its way from the gastrointestinal tract to the rest of the body.
Basic functions of vitamin B12
- Formation of red blood cells. To mature, red blood cells need information provided by DNA molecules. Without B12, DNA synthesis is abnormal and thus lacks the necessary information to form red blood cells;
- Development of nerve cells. The coating that covers the nerves, called the myelin sheath, is less likely to form when B12 is deficient. Although B12 plays an indirect role in this process, it has been shown to be effective in relieving pain and other symptoms of various diseases of the nervous system;
- Other roles of vitamin B12. Proteins (components of food needed for cell growth and repair) depend on B12 for them to pass through the body properly. Many of the key components of proteins, called amino acids, become inaccessible for use in the absence of vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Stomach problems can contribute to a deficiency of vitamin B12 in two ways. First, irritation and inflammation of the stomach can prevent stomach cells from functioning properly. When the cells do not function properly, they can stop the production of the substance needed to absorb vitamin B12, namely the intrinsic factor. The second way is associated with inadequate secretion of stomach acids.
Lack of stomach acid - a condition called hypochloridia - can interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12, as most of the amount of vitamin B12 in the diet is protein-related and stomach acid is needed to release vitamin B12 from these proteins.
Categories of drugs that can reduce the supply of vitamin B12 to the body include antibiotics, anticancer drugs, anticonvulsants, anti-gout drugs, Parkinson's drugs, antipsychopathic drugs, birth control pills, cholesterol-lowering drugs and potassium substitutes.
Symptoms that are potentially associated with vitamin B12 deficiency include: dandruff, nervousness, decreased blood clotting, tingling in the legs, slow reflexes, depression, red and inflamed tongue, paleness, difficulty swallowing, fatigue, heart failure, palpitations, memory problems, menstrual problems, weak pulse and others.
Vitamin B12 overdose
Excessive intake of vitamin B12 may cause blood clots, diarrhea, itchy skin and a serious allergic reaction. If any of these symptoms occur, consult your doctor immediately.
Benefits of vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 can help prevent and / or treat the following diseases: alcoholism, anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma, atherosclerosis, cancer, Crohn's disease, dermatitis, fatigue, leukemia, lupus, multiple sclerosis, nervous degeneration and more.
Sources of vitamin B12
As vitamin B12 can not be produced by all animals or plants, its content in animals and plants depends on their ability to store this vitamin and their connection with microorganisms (such as bacteria in the soil). Due to their greater ability to store vitamin B12, animals contain more of this vitamin than plants. Excellent sources of vitamin B12 are limited to animal foods. These foods include turtle and beef liver.
Very good source of vitamin B12 are venison, shrimp, mussels, salmon and beef. Seaplants (such as Kelp), blue-green algae, yeast (such as brewer's yeast) and fermented plant foods (such as miso or tofu) are the most commonly consumed plant sources of vitamin B12.
As a dietary supplement, B12 can most often be found in the form of cyanocobalamin.
Obtained from animal foods vitamin B12 it is relatively well preserved in most ways of cooking food. The ability of strict vegetarian diets to provide adequate amounts of vitamin B12 remains controversial, despite increasing evidence to support vegetarianism and its nutritional adequacy.
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What Hinders The Absorption Of Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is the most complex existing vitamin of great importance for the processes in the human body and is therefore already well studied in medicine. Our body needs relatively low doses of vitamin B12 daily, but even a minimal deficiency of it can cause serious complaints such as anemia, depression, constant fatigue and others.
Symptoms Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Lack of vitamins most often occurs during the cold months, when fresh produce is not always available. A sign that you are suffering from a lack of vitamins is the difficult and difficult waking up in the morning. Also a sign is drowsiness that does not disappear throughout the day, as well as apathy that has gripped you.
How To Get Vitamin B12 If You Do Not Eat Meat?
B12 is the only vitamin that contains cobalt. Animals are the largest producers of this vitamin, which is contained in their digestive system. For this reason, it is the only vitamin that you cannot get through plants and the sun. The vitamin is actively involved in the production of red blood cells, which transport oxygen in your body.
Foods To Get The Necessary Vitamin B12 For The Day
Vitamin B12 is the only vitamin that has a cobalt atom in its molecule. Cobalt is important for metabolic processes and is a key element of cobalamin , this is another name for vitamin B12. In light of these facts, it is clear that vitamin B12 is the most complex of all vitamins known to man.
Foods From Which We Can Get Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the body's metabolism because it is involved in the breakdown of food and its conversion into energy. It also helps produce red blood cells that carry oxygen to the cells. This vitamin is also involved in the construction of DNA.
