Vitamin B12 for Better Functioning Of the Human Body

Vitamin B12 is commonly known as Cobalamin and it is basically a water soluble substance which is responsible for normal functioning of the brain and nervous system. It is also an important ingredient for the formation of blood. It affects the DNA synthesis and is responsible for metabolism of every cell in the body. This function is especially important in tissues where cells are dividing rapidly, particularly the bone marrow tissues.In case of its shortage, DNA production is disrupted and abnormal cells called megaloblasts, which may lead in anaemia are formed. Symptoms include excessive tiredness, breathlessness, listlessness, pallor, and poor resistance to infection. Other symptoms can include sore tongue and menstrual disorders. Anaemia may also be due to folic acid deficiency.Vitamin B12 is entirely synthesised by bacteria and is found primarily in meat, eggs and dairy products. It is also found in fermented soya products and algae such as spirulina. It is also opined that its presence in any of the plant food would not be available to the humans as a source and therefore we must not rely on it. Many of the vegetarian foods are supplemented with B12. It is extremely important for the synthesis of red blood cells, the maintenance of the nervous system, and growth and development in children. Its neuropathy, involving the degeneration of nerve fibres and irreversible neurological damage, can also occur.Historically, Vitamin B12 was discovered as a result of its relationship to the disease pernicious anemia, which is an autoimmune disease that destroys parietal cells in the stomach that generate intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is crucial for the normal absorption of B12, so a lack of intrinsic factor, as seen in pernicious anemia, causes a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Many other kinds of its deficiency, and their biochemical effects, have since been elucidated.

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Vitamin B12 for Better Functioning Of the Human Body