Vitamin B12 – An Overview

Vitamin B12 belongs to the family of the B Complex vitamins. The metal ion called cobalt is an active ingredient of Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is available naturally in many of the animal products we eat. The adult daily requirement for vitamin B12 is only 2 micrograms. However, vitamin B12 helps in some of the most important and vital functions of the body. This vitamin is essential in maintaining a healthy nervous system. If the appropriate amount of vitamin B12 is not consumed through dietary intake, several diseases such as anemia can result. Various other health problems can also be linked to a vitamin B12 deficiency. Some Important Facts About Vitamin B12 

Vitamin B12 is one of the few vitamins that have no toxic effect even in excessive doses. Vitamin B12 is available naturally in many animal products. Vitamin B12 is found naturally in clams, mussels, crabs, salmon, rockfish, liver, beef, chicken, turkey, eggs, milk, and cheese. Vitamin B12 can not be directly synthesized or produced by any organism other than a particular group of bacteria. The absorption of vitamin B12 is a complicated process. Vitamin B12 is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and cannot be absorbed without the presence of intrinsic factor, a protein produced in the stomach.   

The Importance Of Vitamin B12

The amount of vitamin B12 required by the human body is relatively low, but the function it performs can not be ignored. The two most significant functions of vitamin B12 are cell division and the formation of red blood cells. The absorption of vitamin B12 within the body is a complicated process because it involves the release of some intrinsic stomach liquids, including stomach acids. Vitamin B12 is found naturally in many plant and animal sources. However, neither plants nor animals can directly synthesize this vitamin. Certain bacterium is capable of producing vitamin B12, and later adds them to plants. Animals become a source of vitamin B12 after they eat those plants. 

Side Effects Of Vitamin B12

Scientific studies have found that vitamin B12 has very low potential for toxicity. This means that even if the vitamin is taken in excessive amounts it can not cause adverse effects. Even in high doses, oral vitamin B12 is well tolerated by the body. Very rarely are there reports of hypersensitive reactions such as urticaria, rash and pruritis, and these occur only in patients receiving parenteral vitamin B12. Those patients who experience hypersensitive reactions from parenteral supplementation may also have the same reaction from oral supplementation. It is advised that patients who are allergic to cobalamin or cobalt should not take vitamin B12.

About Vitamin B12 Injections

Vitamin B12 injections are only administered when there is no other way of supplementation. Injections are mostly used in cases of diseases caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. Injections are usually administered to people who have a medical problem known as pernicious anemia, a condition in which the patient is not capable of absorbing vitamin B12 via the intestine. Injections are also administered to those who suffer from a diseased intestine or have a large part of their stomach or intestines removed. Vitamin B12 injections are only given by or under the supervision of a health care professional. In the United States, injections of vitamin B12 are generally available in two types, cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin.    

Advantages of Vitamin B12 Injections

Vitamin B12 injections have been used for a long time, especially by many politicians and famous personalities from the entertainment industry. There are several reasons why.  The injection contains 500 times more vitamin B12 than the recommended daily dosage.  When injected, vitamin B12 is easily absorbed by the body and then utilized in the formation of red blood cells as well as aiding in the maintenance of a healthy nervous and cardiovascular system.  The three major health benefits of vitamin B12 injections are an increase in energy, sleeping better, and a feeling of alertness.  However, people often complain of bruises and soreness in the area where the vitamin B12 was injected.

Supplementation of Vitamin B12
Oral supplementation of vitamin B12 is safe and inexpensive. The problem with oral supplementation of vitamin B12 is its complex absorption process within the body. This is mainly due to the fact that vitamin B12 must be converted to methylcobalamin or adenosylcobalamin in order to be absorbed by the body. With oral supplements the actual absorption of vitamin B12 is often a lower dosage than needed.  In case of a deficiency a daily dosage of 2000 micrograms for at least a month is recommended, which later on can be lowered to 1000 micrograms. Many physicians prefer supplementation through injections.  Vitamin B12 injections are required to maintain adequate levels of this vitamin in the elderly and in those patients who are diagnosed with a deficiency.
About Vitamin B12 Injections
There is no scientific evidence to support the fact that injections are more effective than oral supplementation. However, injections are only administered when there is a problem with oral supplementation or there is no other effective means available. Typically, vitamin B12 injections are administered to those suffering from diseases caused by a deficiency of the vitamin, such as various types of anemia. The frequency of the injections given to a patient depends upon the type and the severity of the disease. In many cases bruising and soreness caused by vitamin B12 injections are reported. The treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency by intramuscular injection is usually up to 30 mcg daily for 5 to 10 days.                

Causes Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
The daily requirement of vitamin B12 is 1-2 micrograms. About 5 – 7 micrograms of vitamin B12 is present in most types of western diet; however, many people do not eat enough of the right foods.  The absorption of vitamin B12 is a complex process and the production of intrinsic acids within the stomach play a very significant role. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause malfunction in some organs of the body.  A deficiency of this vitamin can also cause some diseases, such as Megaloblastic anemia. Vitamin B12 deficiency is also known to be the cause of anemia macrocytosis. This type of anemia will result in a low white blood cell and platelet count. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause the irreversible death of nerve cells.

Visible Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
The visible symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency are mainly the same as the symptoms of anemia. They commonly include weakness, fatigue, tiredness, feeling exhausted every now and then, shortness of breath even after a little exercise, brittleness of the nails, husky voice, inflammation of the tongue and difficulty in swallowing food and even saliva. It has been found that the deficiency will lead to sudden or acute anemia that shows symptoms of weakness, dizziness, difficulty in standing, sudden unconsciousness, extremely low blood pressure, difficulty in breathing, rapid pulse, and yellowing of the skin, nails and eyes.

An Overview Of Intravenous Vitamin B12
 Vitamin B-12 is necessary for many things, including growth, cell reproduction, and hematopoiesis. Generally vitamin B12 is administered in the form cyanocobalamin, which is absorbed in the muscles at the site of the injection. The level of plasma in the compound is found to be at its peak within an hour after the intramuscular injection is given. Almost 1000 micrograms, that is 50- 98 percent of vitamin B12, is present in the urine within 48 hours of the injection. Most of vitamin B12 is excreted in the urine. Some vitamin B12 is also absorbed through the intestinal tract.
       
Vitamin B12 For Injection
Vitamin B12 for injection is in the form of Cyanocobalamin in a clear red, sterile and nonpyrogenic aqueous solution. The dosage for intramuscular injections is 1000 micrograms per milliliter.  The solution is hygroscopic in anhydrous form and also soluble in water.  The coenzymes of vitamin B12 in the solution are very unstable in the presence of light.  Apart from vitamin B12, the active ingredients of Cyanocobalamin injections are benzyl alcohol (as a preservative) and sodium chloride (for isotonicity).  It is important to know that doses of vitamin B12 that exceed 10 micrograms daily are capable of producing a hematologic response in patients who have folate deficiency.  Also, pareteral administration of vitamin B12 can sometimes cause anaphylactic shock and even death.

A General Overview of Vitamin B12:
Vitamins are essential for overall health and well-being. Vitamins are required by the body in certain specific amounts for the proper functioning of various organs and glands. Vitamin B12 is an important member of the B vitamin family. One of the most active ingredients in vitamin B12 is cobalt, and therefore this vitamin is also known as Cobalamin. Vitamin B12 is found naturally in meat, eggs, soy, and diary products. Vitamin B12 is very important for the body because it is required for the synthesis of red blood cells, maintenance of the nervous system, and also growth and development in children. Deficiency of vitamin B12 causes anemia.          
 

Benefits of Vitamin B12:
Although the body needs only trace amounts of vitamin B12, it plays a significant role in performing some vital functions. For example, deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause health problems such as; numbness of the hands and feet, depression, hallucinations, insomnia, memory loss, dizziness, and poor balance. Vitamin B12 deficiency is also sometimes responsible for loss of appetite, constipation, digestive disorders, eye disorders, enlargement of the liver, inflammation of the tongue, labored breathing, and neurological damage. Anemia is one of the major diseases that are caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12. Everyone needs to be aware that proper intake of vitamin B12 can help prevent many health disorders and serious diseases.