INFORMATION ON VITAMIN B12
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) is an essential water-soluble vitamin and one of the 8 B vitamins, forming the B-complex family, crucial for energy metabolism and related biological processes.
Vitamin B12 is a unique vitamin as it is the largest and most complex chemical structure of all vitamins, and contains a metal ion, cobalt, which enables it to bind to metals.
Cobalamin (vit B12) acts as a cofactor for enzymes important to DNA synthesis and energy metabolism. It is critical for the production of red blood cells, as well as for normal functioning and health of nerve tissue, and deficiency of Vitamin B12 can lead to anemia, as well as nerve and brain damage. Vitamin B12 supports the production of myelin, which covers and protects nerve fibers, helping with proper and faster nerve-impulse relaying.
Vitamin B12 plays vital roles in folate metabolism and cellular metabolism. Cells need Vitamin B12 to assist folate in forming DNA and RNA, which stores and transmit genetic information for every living cell. Folate and Vitamin B12 promotes the syntesis of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a compound linked to immune function and mood. Folate and Vitamin B12 also affects homocysteine metabolism, which is associated with cardiovascular disease. Their relation to breast cancer is still being evaluated.
As fatigue is a symptom of Vitamin B12 deficiency, it is believed that Vitamin B12 supplementation can boost energy and benefit chronic fatigue syndrome.
Vitamin B12 differs from other vitamins in that it needs intrinsic factor to be absorbed. Intrinsic factor is a glycoprotein produced in the stomach lining and necessary for vitamin B12 absorption. Lack of intrinsic factor can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency.
How it works:
During digestion, hydrochloric acid in the stomach releases Vitamin B12, which is bound to the protein in food. Once released, Vitamin B12 attaches to a glycoprotein, called intrinsic factor (IF), which is made in the stomach lining, before it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor for enzyme metabolic processes and is vital to the synthesis of protein and DNA, gene methylation and myelin production.
POPULAR USE & PUBLISHED BENEFITS bbbb
- Metabolism (protein, folate, cellular)
- Energy and fatigue
- Cofactor for enxyme activity
- CNS and neurological health
- DNA/RNA - cellular health
- Homocysteine regulation (Cardiovascular health)
- Immune system functioning
WHOLE FOODS
- Shellfish, clams, oysters, mussels, beef liver, fish, mackerel, salmon, herrying, tuna, sardines, trout, crab, shrimp, lobster, crayfish, red meat, amb
- Fortified soy, tofu, soymilk, low fat dairy, swiss cheese, mozzarella, parmasan, gietost, cow's milk, yogurt
- Fortified cereals, bran
- Eggs (chicken, duck, quail, turkey, goose)
RECOMMENDED USE
- Range: 1 - 100 µg daily
- Popular use: 25µg daily
- Once daily dosing
- Can be taken in fasted state