Vitamin B12 Info

Vitamin B12 or cobalamin is the most potent vitamin of all the B group.

Many other vitamins require measurement in thousands of a gram, B12 is always calculated in millionths of a gram, for example, 1microgram.

Its most correct chemical term is cyanocobalamin.

Fundamentally, B12 "is a red crystalline compound whose complex formula contains two very important minerals -- cobalt and phosphorus."

The cobalt in B12 is important as it activates enzymes that convert zinc into other compounds for better immune system function and better wound healing. It also stimulates the production of red blood cells.

The body mostly stores reserves of B12 in the liver and kidneys, with age leading to B-12 deficiency. In herbivores in nature like cows for example, cobalamin or Vitamin B12 compounds are produced by intestinal flora or by eating dung.

Carnivores, however, get their B12 from flesh and bones of their prey.  

For humans, the best places to get it are from animal products like eggs, fish, and other various meats. It should be noted though that in a 1978 study that was in the British Journal Of Nutrition (40(1):9), it was discovered that people who followed a strict vegetarian diet for 30 years didn't have any evidence of B-12 deficiency. How could this be so?

This finding lends credence to the belief purported by some that the body can synthesize what it needs if it has sufficient vitamins and minerals in the system from which it can they make its own. Eating too much meat is not health for a multitude of reasons anyway.

For those who wish to avoid large quantities for their obvious detrimental health aspects, supplementation is the best way. What are good, specific food sources for B12? Blue green microalgae, spirulina, beef liver, egg yolks, clams, crabs, nori, kelp, mackeral, sardines, oysters, tuna, cow's milk, sauerkraut, miso, tuna, shrimp, whole-meal sourdough bread, cod, etc.

Benefits of Vitamin B12

• It can keep homocysteine levels at appropriate levels. This is vital as high homocysteine levels are one of the markets for risk of heart disease.
• It helps boost the immune system
• It is an agent in the metabolizing of fat.
• It's critical in the creation red blood cells.
• It can severely limit the caffeine withdrawal coffee drinkers experience. Dr. William Maples, a forensic anthropologist, overcame his addiction to it by taking 2,000 mcg injections of B12. He also recommends it to break addiction for coffee but chocolate too.
• Healthy amounts of B12 in the system lead to good energy levels.
• It's a good homeopathic remedy for insect bites.
• Minimizes nervousness.
• Helps minimize mental illness

B12 Warnings

B12 Deficiency Precautions

Be aware that any supplementation should be started only after one has consulted with their doctor -- especially the pregnant and/or nursing mothers. Be advised that medications and medical procedures can deplete the body of B12. For example, surgery or radiation treatment of the gastrointestinal tract can affect proper digestion of vitamin B-12. Additionally, antiobiotics upset the delicate bacterial balance upper small intestine, allowing the infestation of antiobiotic-resistant bacteria to grow.

While B12 toxicity is very rare, any excess amount is usually eliminated through urine or sweat. According to H. Winter Griffith, M.D. in his Complete Guide to Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements, "There is a very low incidence of toxicity of vitamin B12 even with large amounts up to 1,000 mcg. per day." In essence, Vitamin B12 supplementation is very safe. What is the RDA for B-12? for males and females, the government recommends 2mcg per day. For pregnant and lactating females, 2.2 to 2.6mcg daily. As many as 20% of those over 50 have a B12 deficiency. The ratio is higher in vegetarians.

Therefore, we do recommend a B12 supplement to augment your daily diet. This should eliminate any vitamin B12 deficiency you might have. We also advise taking B-12 with folic acid and calcium for optimum absorption as these vitamins and minerals work synergistically together for optimum effect.

How To Choose A Vitamin B12 Supplement

There are a few, vital things you should look for when choosing a vitamin B12 supplement. These guidelines are also helpful in choosing any supplement for that matter.

1. The supplements should be produced at pharmaceutical standard GMP registered facilities. Facilities that are GMP registered comply with the most rigid standards so as to minimize the possibility of product contaminants. (These are the same standards pharmaceutical companies in the United States are required to operate under as mandated by the FDA.) Nutritional supplements are not regulated by FDA and as such fraud is rampant with many so-called supplements containing contaminants with 1 in 5 not having the ingredients as proclaimed on the label!

2. Most vitamins need another mineral or vitamin to work in an optimum fashion. Taking standalone nutrients is ill advised for this very reason. Vitamin B12 is no exception. You should ideally take your Vitamin B12 supplement as part of a multivitamin, synergistic, scientifically formulated blend. Vitamin B12 supplement needs to be taken with folic acid as they work together. Calcium as well is needed as it cannot be absorbed without the presence of B12.

3. Look for enteric coating as this preserves the nutrients in the tablet until they pass through the stomach into the upper intestine where it then dissolves. Most vitamin makers don't do this as it's expensive to do so.

Recommendation

We have found a company that meets all the above criteria for our vitamin B12 supplementation. It is a company headquarted in New Zealand. We mention New Zealand deliberately as their government controls dietary supplementation with strict standards that even surpass the U.S. FDA in quality control. This company produces only pharmaceutical-grade quality supplements.

Their multivitamin multimineral supplement product has Vitamin B12, calcium, folic acid, as well as a full complement of nutrients including herbal extracts, vitamins, minerals, and trace specialty nutrients, and critical enzymes totaling over 70 nutrients. I've been using it for a year and have had superb results with better energy and overall health.

I hope this Vitamin B12 deficiency, and cobalamin info web page has been useful to you.

Yours in health, hope, and harmony,
Nutritional-Supplement-Bible.com