Full Answer
Aug 02, 2018 · What is the single most unique fact about vitamin B12? Vitamin B12 is stored in the body tissues even though it is a water soluble vitamin. This is very different from all the other water soluble vitamins, that are excreted, and more closely resembles the fat soluble vitamins, that are stored in the body tissues in fat cells.
4) What us the single most unique fact about vitamin B12? The most unique fact about vitamin B12 is that it is synthesized mainly by microorganisms and bacteria are the only ones that produce vitamin B12 in great enough amounts to be utilized. ... Course Hero is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university. ...
Vitamin B12 is required for the development, myelination, and function of the central nervous system; healthy red blood cell formation; and DNA synthesis [1,4,5]. Vitamin B12 functions as a cofactor for two enzymes, methionine synthase and L-methylmalonyl-CoA mutase [1-3,5].
Jul 07, 2021 · Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps keep your body’s blood and nerve cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells. Vitamin B12 also helps prevent megaloblastic anemia, a blood condition that makes people tired and weak. How much vitamin B12 do I need? The amount of vitamin B12 you need each day depends on your age.
The most common form of vitamin B12 in dietary supplements is cyanocobalamin [ 1, 3, 22, 23 ]. Other forms of vitamin B12 in supplements are adenosylcobalamin, methylcobalamin, and hydroxycobalamin [ 22 ]. No evidence indicates that absorption rates of vitamin B12 in supplements vary by form of the vitamin.
Pernicious anemia is the most common cause of clinically evident vitamin B12 deficiency around the world [ 11, 43 ]. The incidence of pernicious anemia in the United States is an estimated 151 per 100,000, and this condition is more common in women and in people of European ancestry [ 43 ].
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans describes a healthy dietary pattern as one that: 1 Includes a variety of vegetables; fruits; grains (at least half whole grains); fat-free and low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese; and oils.#N#Milk and milk products are good sources of vitamin B12. Many ready-to-eat breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamin B12. 2 Includes a variety of protein foods such as lean meats; poultry; eggs; seafood; beans, peas, and lentils; nuts and seeds; and soy products.#N#Fish and red meat are excellent sources of vitamin B12. Poultry and eggs also contain vitamin B12. 3 Limits foods and beverages higher in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. 4 Limits alcoholic beverages. 5 Stays within your daily calorie needs.
The FNB did not establish a UL for vitamin B12 because of its low potential for toxicity [ 1 ]. Even at large doses, vitamin B12 is generally considered to be safe because the body does not store excess amounts.
Vitamin B12 functions as a cofactor for two enzymes, methionine synthase and L-methylmalonyl-CoA mutase [ 1-3, 5 ] . Methionine synthase catalyzes the conversion of homocysteine to the essential amino acid methionine [ 1, 2 ].
Multivitamin/mineral supplements typically contain vitamin B12 at doses ranging from 5 to 25 mcg [ 22 ]. Vitamin B12 levels are higher, generally 50–500 mcg, in supplements containing vitamin B12 with other B-complex vitamins and even higher, typically 500–1,000 mcg, in supplements containing only vitamin B12.
Because the body stores about 1 to 5 mg vitamin B12 (or about 1,000 to 2,000 times as much as the amount typically consumed in a day), the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can take several years to appear [ 7, 33 ].
Vitamin B12 (with folic acid and vitamin B6) can lower homocysteine levels, but scientists don’t know yet whether these vitamins actually help prevent or treat dementia.
Vitamin B12 supplements (along with folic acid and vitamin B6) do not reduce the risk of getting heart disease. Scientists had thought that these vitamins might be helpful because they reduce blood levels of homocysteine, a compound linked to an increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Its main job is to maintain healthy nerve cells, support proper brain function, and assist in the production of DNA and RNA. B12 also works with other B vitamins to improve certain functions. For instance, B12 and B9 (folate) together help to make red blood cells.
How B12 works in the body. The Harvard Medical School Special Health Report Making Sense of Vitamins and Minerals explains that vitamin B12, like all B vitamins, is water soluble, which means the body expels what it does not use. Its main job is to maintain healthy nerve cells, support proper brain function, and assist in the production ...
This is often due to a poor diet and less stomach acid, which the body needs to absorb B12 from food.
In fact, the federal government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest that people older than age 50 take a multivitamin supplement as a way to ensure adequate B12 intake. Many store multivitamins contain high amounts of B12.
Severe, long-term deficiency may lead to loss of mobility, problems walking, or memory loss. A blood test from your doctor can measure B12 levels. A serious deficiency can be corrected with B12 shots or high-dose supplements.
Research on the use of vitamin B-12 for specific activities and conditions shows: Heart and blood vessel disease. Researchers had previously believed that vitamin B-12, when combined with folic acid (vitamin B-9) and vitamin B-6, might prevent diseases of the heart and blood vessels by reducing the levels of an amino acid in the blood ...
Aminosalicylic acid ( Paser). Taking this drug used to treat digestive problems might reduce your body's ability to absorb vitamin B-12. Colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare, Gloperba). Taking this anti-inflammatory drug used to prevent and treat gout attacks might decrease your body's ability to absorb vitamin B-12.
Vitamin B12 is crucially important in the production of DNA, nerves, and blood cells. It’s also really important when it comes to keeping your brain healthy and the immune system up and running smoothly . However, it’s also vital when it comes to your metabolism, as it plays a key role in converting nutrients to energy.
Most of our vitamin B12 comes to us through animal products, from eggs and shellfish to meat and dairy . If you cut those items out of your diet, there’s a good chance you won’t get enough vitamin B12, which means you could start feeling very tired or even light-headed.
There are a number of foods that contain vitamin B12, from cottage cheese to almonds to feta cheese. Here’s what you need to know about a vitamin B12 deficiency…. 1. You’ll Feel Tired Without Enough. Vitamin B12 is crucially important in the production of DNA, nerves, and blood cells. It’s also really important when it comes to keeping your brain ...
So, how can pregnant and nursing women get enough vitamin B12? There’s 0.6-micrograms in a single egg and 1.2-micrograms in a single cup of low-fat milk. Better sources are meat–like trout, turkey, and beef–which means vegetarians and vegans may require a supplement. 7. Drinking Leaves You Vulnerable.
But that can be a problem since these drugs suppress the production of stomach acid, potentially making it harder for the body to absorb vitamin B12.
B12 Deficiency Closely Resembles Dementia. Because our bodies produce less stomach acid as we age, our bodies become less adept at absorbing vitamin B12. That means many people over the age of 50 suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency, which can leave one feeling overly tired and light-headed.
It’s never a good idea to drink alcohol to excess, but here’s another reason to take it easy: heavy drinking can increase your chances of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency, according to Medicine.net. That’s because drinking more than a few alcoholic bever ages each day can cause gastritis , or irritation of the stomach.
Jan. 31, 2017 — In the microbial world, vitamin B12 is a hot commodity. It turns out that vitamin B12, a substance produced by only a few organisms but needed by nearly all of them, wields great power in microbial ... Too Little Food from Animal Sources May Increase Risk of Preterm Birth.
Vitamin B12 Breakthrough for More Complete Vegetarian and Vegan Diets. May 17, 2018 — Scientists have made a significant discovery about how the vitamin content of some plants can be improved to make vegetarian and vegan diets more complete. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an essential ...
Pernicious anemia, which makes it hard for your body to absorb vitamin B12. Conditions that affect your small intestine, such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, bacterial growth, or a parasite. Alcohol misuse or heavy drinking can make it harder for your body to absorb nutrients or prevent you from eating enough calories.
You may also be more likely to develop vitamin B12 deficiency if you have: 1 Atrophic gastritis, in which your stomach lining has thinned 2 Pernicious anemia, which makes it hard for your body to absorb vitamin B12 3 Conditions that affect your small intestine, such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, bacterial growth, or a parasite 4 Alcohol misuse or heavy drinking can make it harder for your body to absorb nutrients or prevent you from eating enough calories. One sign that you lack enough B12 may be glossitis, or a swollen, inflamed tongue. 5 Immune system disorders, such as Graves' disease or lupus 6 Been taking certain medications that interfere with the absorption of B12. This includes some heartburn medicines including proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as esomeprazole ( Nexium ), lansoprazole ( Prevacid ), omeprazole ( Prilosec OTC ), pantoprazole ( Protonix ), and rabeprazole ( Aciphex ), H2 Blockers such as cimetidine ( Tagamet) and famotidine ( Pepcid AC ); and certain diabetes medicines such as metformin ( Glucophage ).
If you don't eat animal products, you have options. You can change your diet to include vitamin B12-fortified grains, a supplement or B12 injections, or a high-dose oral vitamin B12 if you are deficient. Older adults who have a vitamin B12 deficiency will likely have to take a daily B12 supplement or a multivitamin that contains B12.
If you have vitamin B12 deficiency, you could become anemic. A mild deficiency may cause no symptoms. But if untreated, it may lead to symptoms such as: Weakness, tiredness, or lightheadedness. Heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Pale skin.
Why We Need It. Vitamin B 12 works with folate, another B vitamin, to make DNA, which is the body’s genetic material. Vitamin B 12, a water-soluble vitamin, also protects nerve cells from damage and helps keep blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine low. This may help to decrease heart disease risk in some people.
If We Don’t Get Enough. Vitamin B 12 deficiency causes pernicious anemia. This affects blood and nerves. With pernicious anemia, the body can’t make normal red blood cells to carry oxygen in the blood. Lack of oxygen makes people weak and tired. Nerve damage can lead to paralysis and death.
Vitamin B 12 is not easily destroyed by cooking. This is good to know, since the main food sources of vitamin B 12 (e.g. meat, fish, and poultry) need to be well cooked. Other sources, like fortified cereals, may not need cooking.
Older people often cannot absorb vitamin B 12 from these foods. However, fortified breads and cereals contain vitamin B 12 in a form that is easily absorbed. Check the ingredient list on food labels to see if vitamin B 12 has been added. Here is a sample ingredient list from a fortified cereal: