Vitamin B12

Cobalamin

Food sources of Vitamin B12:

Vitamin B12 is found only in animal based foods, the richest source being liver, kidneys also contain substantial amounts. Egg yolk, oysters, sardines, salmon , herring, brewer's yeast and dairy produce contain smaller amounts.

Functions of vitamin B12:

Vitamin B12 aids folic acid in regulating the formation of red blood cells, and assists in the utilization of iron. It is necessary for mylination of nerve fibres, biosynthesis of nucleic acids, protein and blood cells.It is involved in protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism, and aids folic acid in the synthesis of choline. It aids in cell formation, maintains fertility, and promotes normal growth and development, and aids in the maintenance of normal bone marrow.

Deficiency symptoms of vitamin B12:

Growth retardation, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, clumsiness and difficulty in walking, the latter being more often difficult at night, when lack of visibility forces the person to have to rely on an awareness of the position of their legs. Soreness and weakness in legs and arms, speech difficulties, jerking of limbs, memory loss, loss of pain perception, heart pain inflammation of tongue, weight loss, poor appetite, psychosis, brain damage resembling schizophrenia, nervousness, double vision, leukopenia, and spinal lesions.

Factors increasing the demand for vitamin B12:

Gastrectomy, pernicious anemia, vegan diets, pregnancy, breast feeding, tape worm infestations, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, post-herpetic neuralgia, senile dermatitis, late onset schizophrenia, overgrowth of gut bacteria, thyroid disease, trigeminal neuralgia, discoid lupus erythematosis, senile dementia, excessive intake of alcohol and tobacco, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.

Loss of B12:

Similar to pantothenic acid, B12 is unstable in light, and losses occur in the presence of alkali and acid. Unless the intrinsic factor produced by the stomach is present, B12 will not be absorbed.

Therapeutic uses of vitamin B12:

Vitamin B12 is used to treat people with pernicious anemia, it aids those suffering from disturbances of the nervous system, achlorhydria, arthritis, diabetes, insomnia, and multiple sclerosis. Vegetarians, particularly vegans who do not consume animal products , pancreatic insufficiency, herpes zoster, alcoholism, post surgical procedures, coeliac disease, and tobacco amblyopia.

Drugs affecting vitamin B12:

Aminosalicyclic acid, oral contraceptives, chloramphenicol, cobalt irradiation, colchicine, cimetidene, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine , potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, neomycin, methyl-amide, ethylamide, anilide, pteridine, metaformin, phenformin, nitrous oxide, dilantin, Nexium and other proton pump inhibitors,and cholestyramine. Vitamin C supplementation may also destroy B12, however if the vitamin C is taken between meals then this may be avoided.

Dosage and toxicity of vitin B12:

The RDA is 2-5mcg. Toxicity is unknown if following the recommended dose, however, if B12 injections are used then the picture changes. "Itching, rash, transitory exanthema, and urticaria have been reported. Vitamin B12 and pyridoxine has been associated with cases of rosacea fulminans, characterized by intense erythema with nodules, papules, and pustules. Symptoms may persist for up to four months after the supplement is stopped, and may require treatment with systemic corticosteroids and topical therapy". Medline Drug database.

Personal observations of two elderly people one had B 12 injections every month, and ended up with polycythemia, she was in her late eighties, the other had 3  B12 injections a week apart and ended up with peripheral vascular thrombosis, he was 92, and was advised to have his thrombosed toe removed. The toe remained and finally healed over a period of weeks no more injections of B12 were given. The reason these elderly people were given B12 injections was because they both wanted more energy, they were tired of feeling tired.

Read more:Folic Acid

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