Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12, also known as cobalamin (pronounced: koh-BAL-uh-min), is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and the formation of red blood cells.
Etymology
The term "cobalamin" comes from the element cobalt contained within the vitamin. The "-amin" suffix refers to the presence of an amino group in the molecule.
Function
Vitamin B-12 is involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body. It is a co-substrate of various cell reactions involved in methylation, a process important for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. It also plays a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and the formation of red blood cells.
Sources
Vitamin B-12 is naturally found in animal products, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products. It is generally not present in plant foods, but fortified breakfast cereals are a readily available source of vitamin B-12 with high bioavailability for vegetarians and vegans.
Deficiency
A deficiency of vitamin B-12 can lead to vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia, a condition where the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells due to a lack of vitamin B-12. Symptoms can include fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, and weight loss. In severe cases, the deficiency can cause nerve damage, leading to tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, balance problems, and depression.
Related Terms
- Cyanocobalamin: A form of vitamin B-12 that is used to prevent and treat low blood levels of this vitamin.
- Hydroxocobalamin: A form of vitamin B-12 that is used to treat vitamin B-12 deficiency when dietary intake is inadequate.
- Methylcobalamin: A form of vitamin B-12 that is used to treat vitamin B-12 deficiency and conditions such as pernicious anemia.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vitamin B-12
- Wikipedia's article - Vitamin B-12
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