| Cobalamin (vitamin B12) | |||||
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- What is cobalamin (vitamin B12)?
- Important cobalamin (vitamin B12) facts
- Why cobalamin (vitamin B12) is important
What is cobalamin (vitamin B12)?
Cobalamin (vitamin B12) is one of the water-soluble B vitamins that is required to ensure that there are enough red blood cells in the body and that there is sufficient haemoglobin flowing inside the red blood cells.
Cobalamin (vitamin B12) is the only B-vitamin that the body stores in the liver. Normally the body just excretes the water-soluble vitamins out of the body, if there are sufficient amounts.
Important cobalamin (vitamin B12) facts
- Every cell in the body needs cobalamin (vitamin B12) to grow and divide properly
- Cobalamin (vitamin B12) is necessary for the rapid synthesis of DNA when the cells divide
- Cobalamin (vitamin B12) is necessary to ensure that folic acid (folate) works properly
- High doses of vitamin C prevents cobalamin (vitamin B12) from working properly
- Deficiencies of folic acid (folate), iron and vitamin E also hinder cobalamin (vitamin B12) from working properly
Why cobalamin (vitamin B12) is important
Cobalamin (vitamin B12) is important for the formation of blood and for the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system.
Cobalamin (vitamin B12) has an important role in the production of the protective, insulating layer around nervous tissues, called the myelin sheath, which allows nerve impulses to be quickly relayed.
Intrinsic factor, which is present in the cells of the stomach lining, is necessary for the absorption of cobalamin (vitamin B12). Calcium is also part of this absorption process, which occurs in the ileum (the third section of the small intestine). Some people do not produce any (or not enough) intrinsic factor and develop pernicious anaemia, which is normally treated with injections of vitamin B12.
references
- Osiecki, Henry, The Nutrient Bible 2002, BioConcepts Publishing
- Osiecki, Henry. The Physician's Handbook of Clinical Nutrition. 6th edition, 2001, BioConcepts Publishing
- Rolfes SR, Pinna K, Whitney E. Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition. 7th Edition, 2005. Brooks Cole Publishing
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