What does vitamin B12 do in the body?

Q. What is vitamin B12?
A. Vitamin B12 is water soluble vitamin and the last of the B vitamins to be discovered in 1948. it has the most complex structure of any of the B vitamins and is bright red color. At its core is a molecule of cobalt which explains its official name, cobalamin.

Q. What does B12 do in the body?
A. Its main role in the body is to assist in normal blood cell production and in the manufacture of chemical compounds which supports the growth and normal function of nerves and the spinal cord.

Q. What happens to the nervous system when B12 intake is low?
A. B12 deficiencies are linked to neurological damage to deterioration in mental functioning and to number if psychological disturbances. B12 deficiency results in the deterioration of the fatty sheath covering nerves, a process called demyelization which often begins in the peripheral nerves and eventually moves to the spines.

Q. What about the blood?
A. B12 is also essential for the normal functioning of all body cells particularly those of the bone marrow, the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. Like B6, vitamin B12 is needed for the body to make nucleic acid, the genetic material found in all cells. Years of clinical experience has proved that people with clear cut vitamin B12, deficiency may have a potentially fatal for anemia called pernicious anemia caused by the body’s inability to produce normal red blood cells. This type of anemia produces abnormally large, elliptical blood cells and other microscopic signs of abnormalities.

Studies also indicated that apparently more people than previously realized have subtle deficiencies with no signs of anemia and also gain more energy with increased intake of the nutrient.

Q. Any connection between vitamin B12, deficiencies and cancer?
A. There may well be links associated with its role in the manufacture of nucleic acid, mentioned earlier in one study, supplementation with B12 and folic acid (another vitamin b involved in the manufacture of nucleic acid) helped to reverse potentially premalignant cell changes in the lungs of smokers.

Q. Do most people get enough of B12?
A. yes, about the only people who don’t get more than enough through their diet are vegans strict vegetarians who don’t eat meat, dairy products or eggs.

Q. Does that mean B12 deficiency is rare?
A. No. deficiencies in vitamin B12 are not uncommon and are due to problems with absorbing the nutrient.

Q. Why cant some people absorb vitamin b12?
A. They may have low amounts of stomach acid, malabsorption problems caused by such diseases as celiac diseases or overgrowths of bacteria in the bowel, or as result of stomach or intestinal surgery. Any of these conditions may make them unable to produce a protein called intrinsic factor, which escorts B12 through the bowel in to the bloodstream.

Q. Then how do these people get their vitamin b12?
A. They may need regular B12 injections.

Q. Do many people have this problem and require injections?
A. Several recent studies have found that many older people that previously thought may have problems with vitamin B12, absorption mostly due to inadequate production of stomach acid. In one study, almost 15 per cent of people aged 65 to 99 showed signs of low B12 levels. Other studies suggest that 5 to 10 per cent of people aged 65 to 99 showed signs of low b12 levels. Other studies suggest that 5 to 10 per cent of people aged 65 or older have low levels of vitamin B12 often without signs of anemia.

Q. How can I be checked for B12 deficiency?
A. Blood tests are used. Usually a serum B12 test is done first if the results are low, doctor’s test for two other blood components associated with B12 deficiency, homosysteine and methylmalonic acid. Other tests are available to check for anemia and for the ability to absorb vitamin B6
Several leading B12 researchers feel its wise for everyone to received periodic screening for B12 deficiency once they reach age 65. This is a test you will probably have to request your doctor to perform since most do not offer routine B12, testing and may not even recognize early signs of delivery.

Q. Does vitamin B12 deficiency develop regularly?
A. No. it often years to develop with gradual worsening of symptoms related to nerves or mental functioning. Early detection can often prevent permanent nerve damage.

Vitamin B12 Quick reference guide
RNI

Men and women – 2mg

Sources
Found only in animal foods fermented by bacteria. The richest sources are liver and organ meats. Muscle meats, fish, eggs, shellfish, milk and most dairy products except butter are good sources.

Signs of deficiency
Symmetrical tingling or loss of sensation or weakness in the hands and feet, diminished sensitivity to vibration and position sense, trouble walking memory loss, fatigue, changes in personality or mood, and hallucinations.

Possible Toxicity Problems
Vitamin B12 has no known toxicity. Dietary levels at least several hundred times the nutritional requirements are considered safe.