Vitamin B12 Source RDA Functions & Deficiency

What are vitamin B12 and its chemical name?
Vitamin B12 is also known as Cyanocobalamin because it contains the mineral cobalt. Vitamin B 12 is the only Vitamin that contains metal. Cyanocobalamin has red color due to cobalt. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin-like other B complex vitamin, so we cannot store Vitamin B-12. Cyanocobalamin founds in many foods naturally and also found in dietary supplements and medication. cobalamin is necessary for the development, the function of the central nervous system, healthy RBC formation, myelination, and DNA synthesis. Vitamin B12 synthesized by microorganisms (anaerobic bacteria).

There are four chemical forms of Vitamin B–12

1. Cyanocobalamin
2. Hydroxocobalamin
3. Adenosylcobalamin
4. Methylcobalamin

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Source of Vitamin B12

1. Fish
2. Meat (animal liver and kidneys)
3. Milk and dairy products
4. Fortified breakfast cereals
5. Low-fat yogurt
6. Some algae
7. Certain mushrooms
8. Eggs
9. Nutritional yeast

Recommended Daily Allowances

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Functions of Vitamin B-12 / Cobalamin

Vitamin B 12 is necessary for healthy nerve tissue, production of RBC, and proper function of the brain because it takes an important part in the synthesis of myelin. Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B 12) is a cofactor in DNA synthesis and it boosts our immune system and also required for growth & development. Vitamin B 12 also takes an important part in cell metabolism.

Cyanocobalamin deficiency cause and symptoms

Cause –

• Vegan or vegetarian diet
• A low level of HCL can reduce the absorption of B12
• Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease.

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Symptoms are rare (Requires a medical diagnosis) –

• Fatigue
• Breathlessness, numbness, poor balance, and memory problems.
• Heart palpitation and shortness of breath
• Pale skin constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite or gas.
• Vision loss.

Complications & Deficiency Disease of Vitamin B12

• Pernicious anemia- If pernicious anemia is uncontrolled, it can cause heart and nerve damage.
• Neurological Problems (If develop the problems may be irreversible.) Like-
  • Vision Problems
  • Memory loss
  • Paraesthesia
  • Ataxia (loss of physical coordination)
  • Peripheral Neuropathy (especially in lower limbs)
• Infertility- B12 deficiency leads to temporary infertility, improves with proper vitamin b12 supplementation.
• Stomach Cancer
• Neural tube defects
  • Anencephaly
  • Encephalocele
  • Spina bifida

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