A water-soluble vitamin, also called cobalamin as it contains the metal cobalt. It helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells, and DNA production. Vitamin B12 is bound to the protein in food. Deficiency causes megaloblastic anaemia.
Water-soluble, heat stable in neutral solutions. Essential for normal development of red blood cells and treatment of pernicious anemia. Found in liver and kidney and muscle meats.
A vitamin found in liver and kidney, but not present in vegetables.
A vitamin essential in many body processes including production of red blood cells and the insulation sheath that surrounds nerve cells and speeds the conduction of the signals along nerve cells. Vitamin B12 is found in significant amounts only in animal foods, including liver, kidney, eggs, fish, cheese and meat. Tempeh, a fermented soya bean product, is an excellent source of vitamin B12 for vegetarians and vegans. Vitamin B12 is also called cobalamin.
Vitamin B12 is a group of water-soluble molecules called cobalamins, which get their name from the mineral cobalt. Cobalt is the central atom of the vitamin’s structure. Vitamin B12 is particularly important for DNA synthesis and cell division. Dietary deficiency produces a megaloblastic anemia, which can also be caused by low production of instrinsic factor, a protein synthesized in the stomach that is needed for absorption of B12 in the small intestine. When this occurs, the deficiency syndrome is referred to as pernicious anemia. Either form of deficiency can result in decreased exercise performance due to poor oxygen delivery to the tissues. Dietary B12 is limited to animal foods and foods that are fortified with the vitamin. Supplements of B12 have been marketed for their ergogenic potential for years; however, research has not demonstrated that B12 can improve performance even as injections of cyanocobalamin.
A vitamin important to the normal development of red blood cells and to the functioning of all cells, especially in the bone marrow, nervous system, and intestines. Severe deficiency causes pernicious anemia and neurological disorders, eventually including degeneration of the spinal cord. Vitamin B12 is abundant in lean meats, organ meats (liver, kidney, and heart), fish, shellfish, milk, and eggs but is not present in any appreciable amounts in fruit and vegetables. As a result, the Food and Drug Administration recommends that people on a vegetarian diet take vitamin Bl2 supplements.
A vitamin of the B complex. The form of vitamin B1 with coenzyme activity is 5-deoxyadenosy cobalamin, which is necessary for the synthesis of nucleic acids, the maintenance of myelin in the nervous system, and the proper functioning of folic acid, another B vitamin. The vitamin can be absorbed only in the presence of intrinsic factor, a protein secreted in the stomach. A deficiency of vitamin B12 affects nearly all the body tissues, particularly those containing rapidly dividing cells. The most serious effects of deficiency are pernicious anemia and degeneration of the nervous system Vitamin B12 is manufactured only by certain microorganisms and is contained only in foods of animal origin. Good sources are liver, fish, and eggs. The daily recommended adult intake is 3-4 μg.
A water-soluble B vitamin, known as cobalamin, is an essential component of the B vitamin complex. It contains cobalt and plays a crucial role in numerous bodily functions. This vitamin works synergistically with vitamin B6 and folic acid in certain physiological processes.
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble nutrient essential for the functioning of multiple enzymes in the body. It plays a critical role in cellular growth and development through its involvement in the creation of genetic material. It also aids in red blood cell production in the bone marrow, helps the body use dietary folic acid, and supports the nervous system. Foods high in vitamin B12 include liver, kidney, chicken, beef, pork, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
A deficiency in Vitamin B12 is most often caused by the intestine’s inability to absorb the nutrient, typically due to a condition like pernicious anemia. Less frequently, the deficiency can arise from other factors such as the surgical removal of all or part of the stomach (gastrectomy), issues with nutrient absorption, or following a vegan diet.
The consequences of a Vitamin B12 deficiency include megaloblastic anemia, a sore mouth and tongue, and symptoms stemming from spinal cord damage like numbness and tingling in the extremities. Psychological symptoms such as depression and memory loss may also occur.
Consuming large amounts of Vitamin B12 is not known to have any adverse effects.