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What is Vitamin Cobalamin ( Vitamin B12)? | Cobalamin Vitamin | Cyanocobalamin Vitamin ( B12 Vitamin )

It is one of the eight B vitamins. It is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell of the body, especially affecting DNA synthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid synthesis and energy production.Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin. Water soluble vitamins dissolve in water. After the body uses these vitamins, leftover amounts leave the body through the urine.Biosynthesis of the basic structure of the vitamin can only be accomplished by bacteria, but conversion between different forms of the vitamin can be accomplished in the human body. A common synthetic form of the vitamin, cyanocobalamin, does not occur in nature, but is used in many pharmaceuticals and supplements, and as a food additive, due to its stability and lower cost.

Vitamin B12 functions as a cofactor for methionine synthase and L-methylmalonyl CoA mutase. Methionine synthase catalyzes the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. Methionine is required for the formation of S adenosylmethionine, a universal methyl donor for almost 100 different substrates, including DNA, RNA, hormones, proteins, and lipids.There is little question that many patients exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer’s actually suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency. Their symptoms are totally reversible through effective supplementation. A low level of vitamin B12 has also been associated with asthma, depression, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, tinnitus, diabetic neuropathy and low sperm counts. Clearly, it is very important to maintain adequate body stores of this crucial vitamin.

This is especially important in tissues where cells are dividing rapidly, particularly the bone marrow tissues responsible for red blood cell formation. If B12 deficiency occurs, DNA production is disrupted and abnormal cells called megaloblasts occur. This results in anaemia. Symptoms include excessive tiredness, breathlessness, listlessness, pallor, and poor resistance to infection.Vitamin B12, like the other B vitamins, is important for metabolism. It helps in the formation of red blood cells and in the maintenance of the central nervous system.However, many of the effects of functions of B12 can be replaced by sufficient quantities of folic acid, since B12 is used to regenerate folate in the body. Most “B12 deficient symptoms” are actually folate deficient symptoms, since they include all the effects of pernicious anemia and megaloblastosis, which are due to poor synthesis of DNA when the body does not have a proper supply of folic acid for the production of thymine.

Food sources:

Animals, in turn, must obtain it directly or indirectly from bacteria, and these bacteria may inhabit a section of the gut which is posterior to the section where B12 is absorbed. Thus, herbivorous animals must either obtain B12 from bacteria in their rumens, or by reingestion of cecotrope fæces. Eggs are often mentioned as a good B12 source, but they also contain a factor that blocks absorption.There has been considerable research into possible plant food sources of B12. Fermented soya products, seaweeds and algae have all been proposed as possible sources of B12. However, analysis of fermented soya products, including tempeh, miso, shoyu and tamari, found no significant B12. Vitamin B12 is found in eggs, meat, poultry, shellfish, milk, and milk products.

Dietary Intake For Vitamin B 12:

Adolescents and Adults:

* Males and females age 14 and older – 2.4 mcg per day

Children:

1. 1 To3 years – 0.9 mcg per day.
2. 4 To 8 years – 1.2 mcg per day.
3. 9 To 13 years – 1.8 mcg per day.

Infants:

1. 0 To 6 months – 0.4 micrograms per day.
2. 7 To 12 months – 0.5 mcg per day.