Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamine) – When, How, and Why to Supplement
Sources as well as Physiologic Functions
Sources: Liver, kidney, muscle meats, eggs, cheese, milk, and fish are great sources of vitamin B12. It is not present in plant foods or in yeast.
Fermented foods including soy sauce, miso, and tempeh, and fortified foods including soymilk also are good sources of this particular vitamin.
Biochemistry: Vitamin B12 is water-soluble. Cobalamine contains the element cobalt enclosed by a porphyrin as ring. The coenzyme styles of cobalamine are 5’deoxyadenosylcobalamine as well as methylcobalamine. Four forms of cobalamin play a role in human metabolic rate, including cyanocobalamin (the form known as B12), methylcobalamin (the main form in the serum), and also adenosylcobalamin (the main storage type in the liver). Cobalamin works as coenzyme in 2 known pathways of human metabolism: demethylation of the folate derivative needed for the thymidylate synthesis, and conjugation of folic acid in to the active polymer forms of folate. Cobalamin deficiency might produce a functional folate deficiency by trapping folate in these pathways and restricting its regeneration. Cobalamin is important for the regeneration of tetrahydrofolate required in purine and thymidine synthesis. Vitamin B12 is crucial for growth, blood cell formation, thyroid functioning, nutrient metabolism, and myelin formation. It prevents accumulation of methyl melonoic acid, and thus, prevents production and incorporation of irregular fatty acids into the Bonus Nerve Pain Guide 1: Neuropathy Revolution (Highly recommended Internet site#) cell membrane. This might account for some of the neurological manifestations associated with deficiency. It could possibly have a job in homocysteine metabolism and thus, command of atherosclerosis.
Populations at risk: Vitamin B12 deficiency is usually brought on by pernicious anemia (PA). The key defect in PA is gastric atrophy as well as absence of intrinsic factor, which is vital for B12 absorption.
Symptoms and signs of Deficiency: The key defect of B12deficiency is an impairment of development, particularly of quickly dividing cells including immature RBC. Infants with serious deficiency contained with neurological problems and anemia , like flaccidity, bad muscular control, twitching, and abnormal electroencephalogram. In adults, it is characterized by later development as well as megaloblastic anemia of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Neurological symptoms include numbness of the hands and feet, parasthesias, decreased vibration sense, and ataxia. CNS symptoms may occur without anemia and are irreversible. Poor growth, thrombocytopenia, spleenomegaly, smooth tongue, sore, and then leucopenia may also be seen.
Vitamin B12 toxicity: There are no signs of vitamin B12 toxicity, per se. There are several rarely reported negative effects which might be attributable to the vitamin, but such side effects are not always associated with the dose. These possible unwanted side effects include: diarrhea, blood clots in the legs, feelings of swelling within the whole body. These’re the symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives or a rash, itching, swelling of the lip area, or throat, mouth, wheezing or some other problems breathing.
Vitamin B12 is generally thought to be a non-toxic substance. Perhaps taking it by injection at excessive doses doesn’t appear to boost the danger for toxicity
Greater levels of Vitamin B12 can occur with polycythemia vera. Polycythemia vera is a disease state whereby the proportion of blood volume which is occupied by white blood cells increases. Diagnosis is characterized by a complete increase in red blood cells and in the total blood volume, though it’s not unusual to also have increases in white blood cells and platelets. A bone marrow examination could be done. However, it’s not functional in finding out a definitive diagnosis. Lab tests confirm the diagnosis by showing improved RBC mass and ordinary arterial oxygen saturation in association with splenomegaly (spleen enlargement) or maybe two of the following: thrombocytosis, leukocytosis, elevated leukocyte alkaline phosphatase level, or even heightened serum vitamin B12 or unbound B12 binding capacity.