lack of vitamin b12

Vitamin B12 Sources, Functions and Deficiencies

Author: Dr John Anne

Vitamin B12 is known as cobalamin as well, because of its cobalt content. Vitamin B12 aids in maintaining healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. It is an integral element in DNA formation. It functions with the binding of protein in food. During the digestion process, hydrochloric acid in the stomach discharges vitamin B12 from protein contents found in food. As soon as it is released, it binds with intrinsic factor (IF). Later intestinal tract absorbs this combination.





Vitamin B12 Sources





Vitamin B12 is a naturally derived substance. Fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk and dairy products are the wise selection of vitamin B12 sources. Another great source of vitamin B12 is fortified breakfast cereals. This is a perfect choice for vegetarians to satisfy their vitamin B12 needs. Apart from that mixed spices prepared from mollusks and clam can be considered as one of significant vitamin B12 sources. Liver, beef, Trout, Salmon, Yogurt, Haddock, Clams, Tuna, Pork, and Chicken are the great sources of vitamin B12.





The requirement for vitamin B12 in a healthy adult is 2.4μg per day.





Vitamin B12 Functions





Essentially, vitamin B12 functions in various ways. The most important among all vitamin B12 functions is identified with the assistance in the neurotransmitter production. Neurotransmitter is an important element that regulates almost every function in our body and mind. Fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism are also significant vitamin B12 functions. It helps in appropriate DNA replication process. It plays a significant role as a catalyst during hemoglobin synthesis. If you lack vitamin B12 in your daily diet, you may become anemic. It helps in red blood cells production. It helps in converting from homocysteine to methionine. This conversion is crucial in minimizing the risk of cardiac arrest.





Vitamin B12 Deficiencies





Typically vitamin B12 deficienciesmay occur due to two reasons one is inability to absorb vitamin B12 from food substances and the second reason is an inability to consume foods rich in vitamin B12. The later situation mainly occurs in the case of strict vegetarians. They suffer from vitamin B12 deficiencies mainly due to the fact that they do not consume any foods coming from animals.





The common symptoms associated with vitamin B12 deficiencies may include constipation, memory loss, difficulty in walking or moving, megaloblastic anemia, mood disorder, numbness, sore tongue, disorientation, damage in the myelin sheath and dementia.





Pregnant women or lactating women need extra supply of vitamin B12, like any other essential nutrients. It passes to the placenta during pregnancy. Brest-fed infants receive their nutrients from their mother. Therefore a lack of nutrients may cause serious harm to their health. The women on vegan diet may lack the sufficient supply of vitamin B12. So the crisis may result within months of birth. If not taken into serious consideration, it may cause severe neurological damage in time.





Apart from that, individuals suffering from megaloblastic anemia or gastrointestinal disorder may receive benefits from vitamin B12 supplements. Few medications suggested for chronic problem may decrease the natural absorption of vitamin B12 in the body, in such cases additional supplements of vitamin B12 seem to be necessary.





As vitamin B12 supplements are essentially dependent on animal products, so we must understand that a strict vegetarian diet may lead to vitamin B12 deficiencies. In such cases, fortified cereals must be taken under consideration to fulfill the requirement of vitamin B12.





Potential Health Risk





There is no established UL so far for vitamin B12 because of its low potential for toxicity. Till date, no such reports have been submitted in claim of adverse effects resulting from the usage of vitamin B12. However, medical studies conducted by Institute of Medicine say that individuals older than 50 years should depend on fortified foods to avoid possible vitamin B12 deficiencies. It is mainly because of the impaired absorption pattern for vitamin B12 coming from animal products, mostly prevalent at older ages.

About the Author:

Dr John Anne is an herbal specialist with years of experience and extensive research on herbs and alternative health. Visit Vitamin B12 Deficiency at Vitamins and Minerals. Also read about Curcumin Benefits for complete information on Curcumin

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Vitamin B12 Sources, Functions and Deficiencies

dietary sources of vitamin b12

Vitamin B12 plays a key role in the normal functioning of nerve cells and blood cells. It is also involved in the metabolism of all types of body cells, it's mainly affecting DNA regulation and synthesis. Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, contains molecules of the metal cobalt and corrin ring.

Absorption

The process of absorption of vitamin B12 is complex one, and because of that, it often leads to vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 absorption begins in the mouth through the mucosa membrane^. Acid in the stomach releases the vitamin B12 that is bound to the protein in food during digestion.

Recommended Dosage

The recommended dose for an adult ranges from 2 to 3 micrograms a day. Pregnant woman may require 3 micrograms per day.

Using B12 supplements is safe as long as the recommended dose is not exceeded.

The main source of vitamin B12 is animal foods including meat, fish, poultry, eggs and milk products, because of this, the Vegan Society recommends vegans to consistently eat B12 fortified foods or take a daily B12 supplements.

Food Sources

The main source of B12 comes from animal derived food, including meat, fish, poultry, eggs and milk products.

• 1 half chicken breast provides some 0.3µg per serving or 6.0% of the recommended daily value
• 3 ounces of beef provides 2.4 µg per serving or 40% of your DV
• 1 slice of liver provide 47.9 µg or 780% of your DV
• 3 ounces of Molluscs provides 84.1 µg, or 1,400 % of your DV

Side effects

Itching, rash, temporary 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, it may require treatment with systemic corticosteroids and topical therapy.

Diarrhea has been reported.

Vitamin B12 as Pernicious Anemia treatment

Vitamin B12 is used for the treatment of pernicious anemia (AKA Biermer's anemia) which is caused by the deficiency of vitamin B12 . For the body to properly absorb the vitamin B12 it first has to be combined with the intrinsic factor (a glycoprotein produced in the stomach). The absence of intrinsic factor prevents the normal absorption of the vitamin B12 and usually result in pernicious anemia. The treatment for Pernicious anemia is for life; supplemental vitamin B12 can be administered via injection or orally.

David C. is the author of the Vitamin Supplement Blog, read more about vitamins and supplements at http://www.myvitaminsupplement.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_G._Castro

vitamin b12 benefits

Vitamin B 12 helps to fight the symptoms of depression –

Studies have found that in approximately three out of ten patients hospitalized for depression, the patient was lacking sufficient vitamin B 12 levels.

Alzheimer’s – As many as 1 in 5 patients exhibiting early signs of memory loss and even Alzheimer’s were shown to be deficient in vitamin B12 levels. These patients significantly reduced the speed of memory loss, and in many cases reversed the symptoms of early Alzheimer’s with the proper doses of Vitamin B12.

Testing for Vitamin B12 deficiency should be a regular screening practice for older individuals, due to the decrease in an older body’s ability to properly absorb Vitamin B12 through known food sources rich in Vitamin B12.

B12 Vitamin Deficiency

B12 Vitamin Deficiency

Deficiency of Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 Sources, Functions and Deficiencies

Author: Dr John Anne

Vitamin B12 is known as cobalamin as well, because of its cobalt content. Vitamin B12 aids in maintaining healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. It is an integral element in DNA formation. It functions with the binding of protein in food. During the digestion process, hydrochloric acid in the stomach discharges vitamin B12 from protein contents found in food. As soon as it is released, it binds with intrinsic factor (IF). Later intestinal tract absorbs this combination.





Vitamin B12 Sources





Vitamin B12 is a naturally derived substance. Fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk and dairy products are the wise selection of vitamin B12 sources. Another great source of vitamin B12 is fortified breakfast cereals. This is a perfect choice for vegetarians to satisfy their vitamin B12 needs. Apart from that mixed spices prepared from mollusks and clam can be considered as one of significant vitamin B12 sources. Liver, beef, Trout, Salmon, Yogurt, Haddock, Clams, Tuna, Pork, and Chicken are the great sources of vitamin B12.





The requirement for vitamin B12 in a healthy adult is 2.403BCg per day.





Vitamin B12 Functions





Essentially, vitamin B12 functions in various ways. The most important among all vitamin B12 functions is identified with the assistance in the neurotransmitter production. Neurotransmitter is an important element that regulates almost every function in our body and mind. Fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism are also significant vitamin B12 functions. It helps in appropriate DNA replication process. It plays a significant role as a catalyst during hemoglobin synthesis. If you lack vitamin B12 in your daily diet, you may become anemic. It helps in red blood cells production. It helps in converting from homocysteine to methionine. This conversion is crucial in minimizing the risk of cardiac arrest.





Vitamin B12 Deficiencies





Typically vitamin B12 deficienciesmay occur due to two reasons one is inability to absorb vitamin B12 from food substances and the second reason is an inability to consume foods rich in vitamin B12. The later situation mainly occurs in the case of strict vegetarians. They suffer from vitamin B12 deficiencies mainly due to the fact that they do not consume any foods coming from animals.





The common symptoms associated with vitamin B12 deficiencies may include constipation, memory loss, difficulty in walking or moving, megaloblastic anemia, mood disorder, numbness, sore tongue, disorientation, damage in the myelin sheath and dementia.





Pregnant women or lactating women need extra supply of vitamin B12, like any other essential nutrients. It passes to the placenta during pregnancy. Brest-fed infants receive their nutrients from their mother. Therefore a lack of nutrients may cause serious harm to their health. The women on vegan diet may lack the sufficient supply of vitamin B12. So the crisis may result within months of birth. If not taken into serious consideration, it may cause severe neurological damage in time.





Apart from that, individuals suffering from megaloblastic anemia or gastrointestinal disorder may receive benefits from vitamin B12 supplements. Few medications suggested for chronic problem may decrease the natural absorption of vitamin B12 in the body, in such cases additional supplements of vitamin B12 seem to be necessary.





As vitamin B12 supplements are essentially dependent on animal products, so we must understand that a strict vegetarian diet may lead to vitamin B12 deficiencies. In such cases, fortified cereals must be taken under consideration to fulfill the requirement of vitamin B12.





Potential Health Risk





There is no established UL so far for vitamin B12 because of its low potential for toxicity. Till date, no such reports have been submitted in claim of adverse effects resulting from the usage of vitamin B12. However, medical studies conducted by Institute of Medicine say that individuals older than 50 years should depend on fortified foods to avoid possible vitamin B12 deficiencies. It is mainly because of the impaired absorption pattern for vitamin B12 coming from animal products, mostly prevalent at older ages.

About the Author:

Dr John Anne is an herbal specialist with years of experience and extensive research on herbs and alternative health. Visit Vitamin B12 Deficiency at Vitamins and Minerals. Also read about Curcumin Benefits for complete information on Curcumin

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Vitamin B12 Sources, Functions and Deficiencies