One of the most important B Vitamin is Vitamin B12 or Vitamin B-12.
Vitamin B12 is also know as cobalamin. It is one of the eight B vitamins.
It is a water-soluble vitamin with a key role in the normal functioning of the brain & nervous system and in the formation of blood.
Vitamain B12 is involved in the metabolism within every cell of the human body, especially affecting DNA synthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid metabolism and amino acid metabolism.
Contents
Physiological Function of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a very complex Vitamin and plays a major role in methyl group transfer and influences the normal functioning of the brain & nervous system and in the formation of blood.
Deficiency of Vitamin B12
Deficiency of Vitamin B12 occur due to
- Inadequate dietary intake
- Impaired absorption from lack of intrinsic factor or insufficient gastric secretions.
- Among elderly adults due to decreased absorption of protein bound cobalamin.
Health Concerns due to Deficiency of Vitamin B12
- Disruption of normal Glucose and glutamic acid metabolism.
- Increases cardiovascular risk.
Assessment of Vitamin B12 Status
Urine Methylmalonate > 3 microgram/mg creatinine
Blood Methylmalonic Acid > 0.4 Micro-mol/mL
Urine Homocysteine > 25 Micro-gram/mg Creatinine
Plasma Homocysteine > 9.8nmol/mL
Serum Vitamin B12 < 150 pg/mL
Supplementation of Vitamin B12
Adult repletion: 100 to 1,000 micro-gram/day
Best or Most Bio-available or Active form of Vitamin B12
Methylcobalamin or MB12; 5-Deoxyadenosylcobalamin (Coenzyme B12)
Dietary Sources of Vitamin B12
Dietary sources of Vitamin B12 are animal products such as fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk product (cheese).
