肆客足球

????The Nutrition Information Centr?e ??of the 
肆客足球 of Stellenbosch? (NICUS)

Nutrients

?Vitamin?s: ?Vitamin B12

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What is it? 
 
Vitamin B12 represents a family of compounds that contain the mineral cobalt. For this reason cobalamin is the term used to refer to compounds having vitamin B12 activity.  

 
Absorption 
 
Absorption of vitamin B12 occurs in a unique way. Vitamin B12 is released from food by digestion, especially by stomach acid. The vitamin B12 binds with intrinsic factor which is produced in the stomach. The resulting complex travels to the last section of the small intestine, called the ileum. Ileum cells then absorb vitamin B12. Absorption is very poor unless the intrinsic factor is present. 
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Functions - what does it do? 
 
Vitamin B12 is necesssary for the formation of  proteins and red blood cells, and for the functioning of the nervous system. It participates in a variety  of cellular reactions to release energy from carbohydrates, fats and protein.

Folate metabolism. Vitamin B12 (in coenzyme form) accepts carbon groups from folate as folate removes it from other compounds. This process regenerates folate to its active form so that it can continue to remove carbon groups. Therefore, a vitamin B12 deficiency can contribute to a deficiency of the active form of folate.

Healthy nervous system. Vitamin B12 helps maintain the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibres from each other. People with vitamin B12 deficiency show irregular destruction of the myelin sheaths, which eventually causes paralysis and death. 

 
Requirements - How much do we need?  

Sources - Where is it found? 
 
Vitamin B12 is produced by bacteria and fungi.  

Those vegetarians who totally exclude animal products from their diet need supplemental vitamin B12 to meet their requirements.  

  
Deficiency - When you have too little 
 
Absorption of vitamin B12 from foods requires the normal function of the stomach, pancreas, and small intestine. Deficiency may occur as a result of an inability to absorb vitamin B12 from food. Generally, most individuals who develop a vitamin B12 deficiency have an underlying stomach or intestinal disorder that limits the absorption of vitamin B12. 

Characteristic symptoms of B12 deficiency include fatigue, weakness, nausea, inflammation of the tongue, constipation, loss of appetite, and weight loss.

Neurological changes. Deficiency can also lead to neurological changes including numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, difficulty in walking, memory loss, disorientation, and dementia.

Some of these symptoms can also result from a other medical conditions besides vitamin B12 deficiency. It is important to have a physician evaluate these symptoms so that appropriate medical care can be given.
 
Pernicious anaemia. Vitamin B12 is absorbed in the stomach when it binds to intrinsic factor, a substance necessary for its absorption. A lack of intrinsic factor prevents normal absorption of vitamin B12 which results in the blood disorder called pernicious anaemia.

Pernicious anaemia. A form of anaemia caused by a lack of intrinsic factor, a substance needed to absor?b vitamin B12 (cobalamin) from the gastrointestinal tract.

Anyone with pernicious anemia usually needs injections of vitamin B12. Pernicious anaemia is a chronic condition that should be monitored by a physician, and requires lifelong supplemental vitamin B12.

 
Toxicity - When you have too much 
 
No toxic or adverse effects have been associated with large intakes of vitamin B-12 from food or supplements in healthy people.