Vitamin B12

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Other names for vitamin B12

Methylcobalamin
Cyanocobalamin
Adenosylcobalamin
Hydroxocobalamin

Synopsis of vitamin B12

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a critical role in red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and the functioning of the nervous system. It is unique among vitamins because it contains a metal ion (cobalt) at its center, which gives it the "cobalamin" name. Vitamin B12 is primarily found in animal-based foods such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy, and fortified foods like cereals and plant-based milks. Unlike other vitamins, B12 is absorbed in the small intestine with the help of a protein called intrinsic factor, which is produced in the stomach.

Vitamin B12 is essential for the proper formation of red blood cells and the synthesis of DNA in all cells. It is also critical for the maintenance of the myelin sheath, the protective covering around nerve fibers, which supports the nervous system and ensures the proper conduction of electrical signals. Additionally, vitamin B12 is involved in homocysteine metabolism, reducing elevated levels of this amino acid, which can contribute to cardiovascular disease.

Deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to pernicious anemia, characterized by fatigue, weakness, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, as well as neurological issues. It can also cause mental health symptoms such as depression, memory loss, and cognitive decline, particularly in the elderly.

Historical Use:
The importance of vitamin B12 in human health was first recognized in the early 20th century, when researchers discovered that pernicious anemia, a life-threatening condition involving impaired red blood cell production, could be treated with liver extracts. In 1926, George Richards Minot and William Parry Murphy showed that liver could reverse the symptoms of pernicious anemia, a discovery that earned them the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1934. However, the specific compound responsible for this effect, vitamin B12, was not identified until later.

In the 1940s, vitamin B12 was isolated and its role in cellular metabolism and red blood cell production was confirmed. It became clear that B12 deficiency was not only linked to anemia but also to neurological and cognitive dysfunction. The connection between B12 and neurological health expanded as it was discovered that vitamin B12 is involved in the synthesis of myelin, the fatty substance that insulates nerves.

By the 1950s, vitamin B12 became recognized as a critical nutrient in both dietary health and medical treatment. B12 injections became the standard treatment for pernicious anemia, and the development of oral B12 supplements made it more accessible for preventing and treating deficiencies.

In the 1970s and 1980s, with the rise of the vegetarian and vegan movements, concerns about B12 deficiency in plant-based diets gained prominence. As vitamin B12 is primarily found in animal products, those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet are at increased risk of deficiency, prompting widespread recommendations for B12 supplementation among those avoiding animal foods. Fortified foods, including plant-based milks, nutritional yeast, and cereals, became key sources of B12 for non-meat eaters.

Vitamin B12 is used for these health conditions

Alcoholism (Scientific)
Alzheimer's Disease (Scientific)
Anemia (Scientific)
Anorexia (Scientific)
Anxiety (Scientific)
Anxiety Disorders (Scientific)
Apathy (Scientific)
Autoimmune Disorders (Scientific)
Bell's Palsy (Scientific)
Birth Defects (prevention) (Scientific)
Burning Feet or Hands (Scientific)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Canker Sores (Scientific)
Cardiovascular Disease (Scientific)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Scientific)
Dementia (Scientific)
Depression (Scientific)
Diabetes (Scientific)
Endurance (lack of) (Scientific)
Energy (lack of) (Scientific)
Exercise (Scientific)
Fatigue (Scientific)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (Scientific)
Hair (loss or thinning) (Scientific)
Hair Care (general) (Scientific)
Hashimoto's Disease (Scientific)
Hearing Loss (Scientific)
Infertility (Scientific)
Memory and Brain Function (Scientific)
Mental Illness (Scientific)
Miscarriage (prevention) (Scientific)
Mood Swings (Scientific)
Multiple Sclerosis (Scientific)
Nerve Damage (Scientific)
Nervous Exhaustion (Scientific)
Neuralgia and Neuritis (Scientific)
Numbness (Scientific)
Nursing (Scientific)
Paralysis (Scientific)
Pernicious Anemia (Scientific)
Post Partum Weakness (Scientific)
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for) (Scientific)
Senility (Scientific)
Smell (loss of) (Scientific)
Sore or Geographic Tongue (Scientific)
Stress (Scientific)
Wasting (Scientific)

vitamin B12 is used to support these body systems

Blood (Scientific)
Brain (Scientific)
Dopamine (Scientific)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Scientific)
Hair (Scientific)
Heart (Scientific)
Immune System (Scientific)
Nerves (Scientific)
Stomach (Scientific)