Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble and an essential vitamin and use in every cell of the human body. Vegetarians are particularly prone to Vitamin B12 deficiency. The average healthy human adult has a total of 3,000 – 5,000 micrograms of Vitamin B12stored in their Liver. Approximately 39% of adults aged 26 to 83 years of age have plasma Vitamin B12 levels in the “low-normal” range.

Function of B12 in Human Body
– Cofactor in DNA synthesis
– Maturation of developing RED Blood Cell in the Bone Marrow
– Function of nervous system
– Myelin sheet synthesis
– Amino acid metabolism
– Fatty acid metabolism

Biological Benefits of Vitamin B12
– Aging
The body’s ability to absorb dietary Vitamin B12 usually declines
May inhibit the age-related shortening of Telomeres
May help to prevent Atherosclerosis
May reducing toxic levels of Homocysteine
Is is required for the formation of Red Blood Cells
– Macrocytic Anemia 
may occur as a result of Vitamin B12 deficiency
– Pernicious Anemia 
may occur as a direct result of Vitamin B12 deficiency
May help to prevent damage to  Chromosomes
May be essential for the integrity of Cell Membranes
May be essential for the production of all Epithelial Cells
 May help to protect against the after-effects of (ischemic) Stroke
May enhance the general health of the Digestive System
– 
Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in (Crohn’s and Celiac Disease Patients)
Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in 42.5% of Tinnitus Patients
– Vitamin B12 deficiency increases the susceptibility to Helicobacter Pylori infection
Help boost the Immune system by production of (Lymphocytes, Helper T-Cells, NK Lymphocytes)
Many facilitate the production of Antibodies
– Vitamin B12
 may inhibit the production of excessive quantities of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)
 Improves the condition Hepatitis patients and useful for treatment of (Hepatitis C)
– Vitamin B12 may help to alleviate the Pain associated with Shingles
May help to prevent Cancer (
Breast, Colon, Cervix, Lung)
May increase Energy levels
Many Hypothyroidism  patients are found to be deficient in Vitamin B12
Patients with Chronic Fatigue 
Syndrome (CFS)  often have abnormally low Vitamin B12 levels
May help to prevent Cirrhosis
May help to prevent Fatty liver
May alleviate Bursitis
– Vitamin B12 
deficiency may contribute to Osteoporosis
– Rheumatoid Arthritis
and Psoriatic Arthritis Patients have low serum Vitamin B12 levels
Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause Burning Mouth Syndrome
– Dry Mouth
may occur as a result of Vitamin B12 deficiency
May improve the rate of Learning
May improve the quality of Sleep (by increasing endogenous Melatonin levels early in the night and reducing Melatonin levels at the end of a night
–  May alleviate Insomnia
May help to prevent 
Migraine
– Vitamin B12 
deficiency may cause Infertility
– Vitamin B12 
deficiency may cause Menorrhagia
– Vitamin B12 
may help to prevent Miscarriage (by lowering elevated Homocysteine levels)

Substances may Enhance the Function of Vitamin B12
– Hydrochloric Acid
is essential for the absorption of Vitamin B12
– Intrinsic Factor is essential for the absorption of Vitamin B12
– Calcium
may enhance the absorption of Vitamin B12
– Vitamins
may enhance the function of Vitamin B12 ( vitamin B1, B3, B6, Folic acid, vitamin C, and  vitamin E)
Vitamin B12 is an essential cofactor for the endogenous synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 

Dr. Said Sokhandan
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