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“Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) facts”
Interesting facts about vitamin B12 (cobalamin):
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that it is easily absorbed in the body (as most of the body is made of water and so are most of the foods eaten), but some of it may be lost in cooking.
One of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) most important roles is to make healthy red blood cells, that function properly and are of correct and healthy structure and form. Without enough vitamin B12 (cobalamin), either in the diet or through that which is made in the small intestine by intrinsic factor, you would get vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is needed to help all the cells in the body divide and grow properly without any type of deviation or damage.
Most of the vitamin B12 found in the body is stored in the liver, where it remains until it is required for the various processes it takes part in.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is needed to make the fatty, insulating substance around the nervous tissues (nerve cells) called the myelin sheath. The myelin sheath allows nervous impulses (messages) to be sent down the nerves quickly and for the muscles and the body to respond accordingly. Without correctly formed and healthy myelin sheath around the nerves, the body would lose its coordination skills and ability to function. In addition, research has shown that vitamin B12 deficiency may play a part in causing confusion, memory loss, mood swings, nerve inflammation, coordination problems and depression, even if blood tests for vitamin B12 levels are normal.
Studies show that vitamin B12 may help improve memory and other cognitive functions, including the ability to learn properly. This could be related to the requirement of vitamin B12 for making the myelin sheath of nerves, which ensures that nervous impulses are relayed properly. Memory and other cognitive functions require healthy nervous impulses to enable proper brain activity.
Studies show that Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) may help to reduce or at least manage some types of nerve damage, due to its beneficial action on the nerves and the outer coating (the myelin sheath).
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) requires folic acid (folate) to work effectively and if folic acid (folate) is in short supply this impacts the ability of Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) to function effectively. The two vitamins work in conjunction with one another, they assist each other's actions and effectiveness.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) works very well when calcium as well as the other B vitamins (vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)) are in adequate supply.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is required to act as a co-enzyme to enable proper and healthy DNA production. DNA is so important to ensure healthy cells with proper gene development that are fortified against damage and mutation.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is pivotal for the immune system to produce effective infection-fighting white blood cells that help reduce disease and infection. The effect of vitamin B12 in boosting the immune systems means that people who have higher (and healthy) levels of this vitamin will have better resistance to infection and disease.
Various studies have shown that vitamin B12 may be useful in preventing risk of cancer. Research has centered on supplementation of vitamin B12 with vitamin C, which has been shown to prevent cancer cells from forming in laboratory mice which have been purposely injected with carcinogenic substances, compared to a control group that had not been supplemented. Other research with a group of people who smoke found low levels of both vitamin B12 and folic acid (folate), which was especially pronounced in people with pre-cancerous changes. The research showed that when the smokers were given both vitamin B12 and folic acid (folate) supplementation, the number of pre-cancerous cells decreased significantly.
Recent research shows that there may be a link between between people that have Alzheimer's-like dementia and lowered blood levels of vitamin B12. While it not yet established how the relationship between low levels of vitamin B12 and Alzheimer's disease happens, some researchers believe that ongoing low levels of vitamin B12 can cause irreversible neurological damage and that this damage could be the catalyst for cause Alzheimer's disease. Since vitamin B12 is vital for normal and healthy nerve function, it is known that low levels of this vitamin can cause neurological symptoms.
Disclaimer: The advice on this site should be viewed as a general guideline only and it should not replace the advice of a medical professional. Always consult your medical or health care provider to get the advice and care for your particular and individual health, nutrition, diet and fitness circumstances.