Vitamin+B12+(Cobalamin)

The body stores large quantities of B12, mainly in the liver. Becomes harder to assimilate after age 50. In health food products most are made synthetically as cyancobalamin.

In it's atural state, there are 2 co-enzymes: -methylcobalamin, composed of a methyl group (CH3) attached to a cobalt atom -5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin, which contains adenoside (combination of purine, adenine, & ribose)

Functions
-Necessary for synthesis of DNA/RNA -Required for nervous system health -Important for bone cell activity and metabolism -Essential for multiplication of red blood cells -Regenerates the enzyme Folic Acid (THF)

Daily Needs

 * 0-6 months || 0.4mcg./day ||
 * 7-12 months || 0.5mcg./day ||
 * 1-3 years || 0.9mcg./day ||
 * 4-8 years || 1.2mcg./day ||
 * 9-13 years || 1.8mcg./day ||
 * 14+ years || 2.4mcg./day ||
 * Pregnant Women || 2.6mcg./day ||
 * Breastfeeding Women || 2.8mcg./day ||

Pro-Compounds
B-Complex, B6, B8, B11, C, Potassium, Sodium

Anti-Compounds
-Alcohol -Coffee -Laxatives -Tobacco -Excess Vitamin C

Deficiency
Due to significant reserves deficiency can take months to years to show symptoms making diagnosis difficult.

Symptoms: -Fatigue -Weakness -Shortness of Breath -Nausea -Constipation -Flatulence -Loss of Appetite -Weight Loss

Can also cause neurological symptoms: -Tingling and numbness in arms and legs -Difficulty Walking -Mood Problems -Memory Loss -Dementia

Excess
Safe in high doses as excess is eliminated in urine. Very high doses can aggravate acne.

Taking B12 orally can cause: -Diarrhea -Peripheral Vascular Thrombosis -Itching -Transitory Exanthema -Hives -Feeling of swelling over whole body -Anaphylaxis

Treating B12 deficiency may mask true polycythemia (incraese in blood volume and number of red blood cells)

Safety
Seems safe when taken orally or by injection through prescription when used appropriately Generally considered non-toxic even in large quantities; however rare fatal anaphylactic reactions have been reported

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Seems safe with recommended daily allowances of 2.6mcg./day for pregnant women and 2.8mcg./day during breastfeeding

Food Sources
(13 medium) || 99mcg. || (2-4 medium) || 16-28mcg. || (8 medium) || 9mcg. || (2-4 yolks) || 3mcg. ||
 * FOOD || SERVING || VITAMIN B12 ||
 * Clams, canned || 100g. (3oz.)
 * Beef Liver, cooked || 100g. (3oz.) || 71-83mcg. ||
 * Lamb, Turkey, Veal Kidneys and Liver, braised || 100g. (3oz.) || 37-77mcg. ||
 * Clam and Tomato cocktail || 125ml. (1/2 cup) || 39mcg. ||
 * Octopus, boiled || 100g. (3oz.) || 36mcg. ||
 * Pacific Oysters, raw or steamed || 100g. (3oz.)
 * Calf Brain, sauteed or braised || 100g. (3oz.) || 10-21mcg. ||
 * Crab, steamed || 100g. (3oz.) || 7-12mcg. ||
 * Tuna, grilled || 100g. (3oz.) || 11mcg. ||
 * Chicken Giblets, stewed || 100g. (3oz.) || 9mcg. ||
 * Sardines, canned w/ bones || 100g. (3oz.)
 * Salmon, canned, baked, grilled or smoked || 100g. (3oz.) || 4-6mcg. ||
 * Rainbow Trout, baked or grilled || 100g. (3oz.) || 5mcg. ||
 * Herring, marinated || 100g. (3oz.) || 5mcg. ||
 * Beef or Veal, all parts, cooked || 100g. (3oz.) || 2-4mcg. ||
 * Tuna, canned || 100g. (3oz.) || 2-4mcg. ||
 * Egg, yolk only, raw || 30-60g.
 * Swordfish, baked || 100g. (3oz.) || 2mcg. ||
 * Shrimp, steamed || 100g. (3oz.) || 2mcg. ||
 * Lamb, all parts, braised || 100g. (3oz.) || 2mcg. ||

Therapeutic Indications
-Anemia -Depression -High level of homocysteine (with B9 and B6) -Pernicious Anemia

Vitamin B12 Supplements
methylcobalamin || 500mcg. 1000mcg. || Red Star yeast T-6635+ || 0.4mcg./g (1/4 tsp) 3.5mcg./7g. (1tbsp) ||
 * SOURCES || NAME || CONCENTRATION AVAILABLE ||
 * Synthetic || cyanocobalamin
 * Natural || spirulina

Interactions
With plants and other food supplements: -Vitamin C: large quantities can destroy B12 and should not be taken within an hour of taking B12 -With Medication: reduction of gastro-intestinal absorbtion with aminoglycoside antibiotics, colchicine, colestipol, or through sustained release potassium supplements, aminosalicylic acid and its salts, anti-convulsants (e.g. phenytoine, phenobarbital and primidone), through cobalt radiation of small intestine and excessive alcohol consumption (over 2+ weeks)

With lab tests: -Intrinsic Factor: caused false positives for intrinsic factor antibody tests

With illness or other physical states: -True Polycythemia: use B12 w/ caution as it may mask true polycythemia -Megaloblastic Anemia: Use B12 w? caution as it may result in fatal hypokalemia or gout in susceptible individuals and may mask folate deficiency in these individuals -Hypersensitivity to cobalamine or cobalt: contra-indicated -Leber's dis-ease:contra-indicated during onset; can cause severe and rapid atrophy of optic nerve.

Other: Therapeutic response can be decreased by concurrent infections, uremia and folic acid and iron deficiency