VITAMIN B12 - Everything you want to know about vitamin B12

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin belongs to B-Complex group of vitamins. 

It is essential for synthesis of DNA. Its deficiency can lead to impaired DNA synthesis and abnormal maturation of RBCs. It is essential for production of RBCs.

It is important for metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, folic acid and proteins. 

Vitamin B12 is also known as cyanocobalamin ,mainly produced by microorganisms. Structure of vitamin B12 has cobalt containing porphyrin.

It is absorbed with the help of intrinsic factor, which is a protein secreted by stomach. It is carried in the plasma by B12 binding proteins called transcobalamin and is stored in liver.

SOURCES OF VITAMIN B12 

Liver , fish, egg, yolk ,meat, oyesters, milk, shellfish, octopus, crab, cheese and pulses are different dietary sources for vitamins B12.

DEFICIENCY 

It is may be because of 

PERNICIOUS ANAEMIA: There is deficiency of intrinsic factor resulting in failure of absorption of Vitamin B12. 

OTHER CAUSES: Chronic gastritis , malabsorption, infestation by fish tapeworm, etc.

Demyelination and irreversible nerve cell death

USES

Prevention and treatment of megaloblastic anaemia due to B12 deficiency. 

Neuropathies: Like subacute combined degeneration respond to vitamin B12.