|
| |
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin for maintaining healthy nerve cells and it aids in the production of DNA and RNA, the body's genetic material. It also works closely with vitamin B9 (folate) to regulate the formation of red blood cells and to help iron function properly in the body. Furthermore, vitamin B12 is needed for Calcium absorption. Deficiencies of vitamin B12 are usually caused by a lack of intrinsic factor, a substance that allows the body to absorb vitamin B12 from the digestive system. Such a deficiency can cause a range of symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nervousness, numbness or tingling sensation in the fingers and toes. People with the blood disorder pernicious anemia do not produce sufficient intrinsic factor and must take high doses of vitamin B12 to maintain their health. Others at risk for B12 deficiency include vegetarians who follow a strict vegan or macrobiotic diet.
Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, is one of eight water-soluble B vitamins. They are vitamins which are soluble in water ane are dispersed throughout the body dissolved in fluid. They are not stored in the body to any appreciable extent and must be replaced every day. Their influence on the body lasts for 14-18 hours after ingestion after which their potency decreases. Excessive intake of water-soluble vitamins is typically passed out through the urine. If your diet contains less than 50% RDA of water-soluble vitamins, deficiency symptoms may be displayed in as little as 4 weeks; much quicker than for fat-soluble vitamins.
All B vitamins, often referred to as B complex vitamins, assist and regulate carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. These are essential mechanisms which produce energy for the body. They also contribute to hemoglobin synthesis and red blood cell production which carries oxygen around the body. Furthermore, B complex vitamins help maintain muscle tone along the wall of the digestive tract and promote healthy skin, hair, eyes, mouth, liver and nervous system.
 | 3D picture of Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) |
Different forms or alternative names for Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin):
cobalamin
cyanocobalamin
Importance of Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin):
key role in metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and protein
assists production of energy within the body
helps formation and regeneration of red blood cells, thus helping prevent anemia
maintains a healthy nervous system
promotes growth in children
needed for Calcium absorption
improves memory
promotes concentration
reduces heart disease risk
Good sources of Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) are:
beef,
blue cheese,
eggs,
mackerel,
sardines,
We have sorted our nutrition database by Vitamin B12 so you can easily see how much Vitamin B12 is contained in different foods. You can also search through our database using the search box below or browse the Vitamin b12 content by food category.
Vitamin B12 content by food category:
Deficiency of Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) may cause:
pernicious anemia
poor appetite
growth failure in children
tiredness
brain damage
nervousness
neuritis
degeneration of spinal cord
depression
lack of balance
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin):
children 1-3 yrs 0.9 μg
children 4-8 yrs 1.2 μg
children 9-13 yrs 1.8 μg
Males 14-70+ yrs 2.4 μg
Females 14-70+ yrs 2.4 μg
Pregnancy 19-50 yrs 2.6 μg
Lactation 19-50 yrs 2.8 μg
For further information on nutrients RDA see our complete list for recommended dietary allowance.
|
Nutrition FactsUse the links below to find the Nutrition Facts for all of the major vitamins, minerals, amino acids and nutrients that are required by the body.
calories, fat, carbohydrate, high protein food, high fiber food, low carb food, calcium, iron, magnesium, chromium, phosphorus, chloride, potassium, sodium, fluoride, iodine, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, vitamins and minerals, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6, biotin (vitamin B7), Folic Acid (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, vitamin B13, vitamin B15, vitamin B17, vitamin K, folic acid, tryptophan, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, cysteine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, valine, arginine, histidine, alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, proline, serine, cholesterol, essential fatty acids, trans fat, saturated fat, recommended dietary allowance |
|
| |
|
