Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a group B vitamins, dissolved in water, and has been discovered in attempts to treat malignant anemia or a large, aromatic tumor that is associated with neuropathy. It was initially thought that this type of anemia is related to folate, But his treatment with folate helped solve the problem of the blood cells and was working on reprocessing, but he did not treat nerve damage associated with the disease.
In 1948, scientists isolated a red complexion from the liver and gave it the number B12. This new vitamin has worked on the treatment of malignant anemia by renewing and treating blood cell dysfunction and in treating the nerve damage associated with the disease. They called this name of the cobalamin because it contains an atom Cobalt in the middle.
Vitamin B12 and folate are dependent on each other. Vitamin B12 works to remove the methyl group to activate folate. In contrast, when folate gives the methyl group to vitamin B12, vitamin B12 also activates the enzyme action of vitamin B12. The best.
Daily needs of vitamin B12 by age group
In the following table, the daily needs of vitamin B12 will be addressed to people according to their age group:
| Age group | Daily needs (μg / day) |
|---|---|
| Infants 0-6 months | 0.4 |
| Infants 7-12 months | 0.5 |
| Children 1-3 years | 0.9 |
| Children 4-8 years | 1.2 |
| 9-13 years | 1.8 |
| 18 years and over | 2.4 |
| Pregnant | 2.6 |
| Lactation | 2.8 |
Older people are advised to get their daily needs of vitamin B12-supported foods or supplements, because 10% to 30% of them can not absorb vitamin B12 normally found in foods.
Vitamin B12 functions in the body
The human body needs several minerals and vitamins to grow naturally and healthy to maintain its health, balance and normal functioning. Vitamin B12 acts primarily as an adenosylcobalamine and methylcobalamine, acting in the representation of propionates, amino acids and monocarbon compounds, Plays an important role in protein representation, in the synthesis of hemoglobin (the component of hemoglobin), and in the formation of myelin sheath proteins and fats that surround nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord, Protect it. Vitamin B12 and folate play a key role in the formation of DNA and RNA. Bone cells, bile, and digestive cells rely on vitamin B12 to maintain their health.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
The causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency vary from case to case.
Causes of vitamin B12 deficiency
The lack of vitamin B12 is usually due to poor absorption and not because of low intake, and in the cases of mis-absorption of vitamin B12, the shortage occurs even if taken in high quantities. It is poorly absorbed in two cases:
- The first case : It is the lack of secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which hinders digestion of the proteins that bind this vitamin in food and thus inhibits its liberation and its association with R proteins and the internal factor, impede absorption.
- The second case : It is due to the lack of the internal factor caused by damage to the cells of the stomach produced, and this happens in the cases of gastritis, which affects many people, especially after the age of fifty, and cases of stomach infection with bacteria that causes ulcers, and also in cases of iron deficiency.
There are some people who can not form the internal factor for a genetic genetic cause, and some people have a strong immune system that fights the intrinsic factor. The lack of internal factor in the inability of the intestinal cells to absorb vitamin B12, and in any cases of non-availability of the internal factor, it is necessary to take vitamin B12 in the form of injections or sprays in the nose to be absorbed from the intestine. Removing a part of the stomach or small intestine surgically, repeated use of antacids, and excessive drinking may also cause vitamin B12 deficiency.
Causes of vitamin deficiency also include a person with Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that affects all the histological layers of the digestive system, and also involves the person’s digestive disorders and the growth of bacteria or parasites.
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency
Due to the role of vitamin B12 in cell division and the formation of DNA, its deficiency clearly affects rapidly dividing cells such as bone marrow and gastrointestinal cells, and because it plays a role in activating folate to play its role in the formation of red blood cells, its deficiency causes a secondary decrease in folate, It results in anemia similar to that caused by folate deficiency, a large hemolytic aortic anemia, where red blood cells fail to divide and weaken their ability to function in the transport of oxygen, but it is characterized by anemia due to lack of folate in the presence of nerve damage facilities , Called anemia For vitamin B12 deficiency because of the absence of internal or pernicious anemia factor gravis blood.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency include:
- Vitamin B12 deficiency causes nerve damage, given the important role this vitamin plays in the formation of myelin sheath that surrounds and protects nerve fibers.
- Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency appear to be reduced in IQ, speed of forgetfulness, and short-term memory loss.
- Feeling numb in limbs and difficulty walking.
- Nerve damage can cause paralysis in advanced cases, where nerve damage starts from the limbs and reaches the central nervous system. Neurological symptoms usually appear to be behind the symptoms of anemia, so vitamin B12 deficiency must be diagnosed and treated in its early stages.
- General tiredness, fatigue, rapid heartbeat and breathing caused by the lack of red blood cells in the transport of oxygen.
- Gastrointestinal problems; such as: constipation, diarrhea, and gases.
- May also cause yellowing in the color of the skin and eyes resulting from the recurrence of anemia and failure of red blood cells, and redness and smoothness and tongue.
- Psychological symptoms such as depression can be seen. It should be noted that screening levels of vitamin B12 in the blood is not an effective method of knowing its condition in the body, but it should examine the approved products in the blood, which include methyl monic acid and homocysteine, Expensive, but it is more sensitive and effective in detecting the lack.
- At some stages of vitamin B12 deficiency may occur that the patient suffers from an unclear vision or loss of sight.
- Folate intake is sufficient to treat anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency and to hide the initial symptoms of deficiency. Therefore, nerve damage can occur without the symptoms of anemia, and this is evident in the case of high folate intake.
Treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency
Treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency is an easy and inexpensive treatment. It is often treated with vitamin B12 injections, especially in cases of pernicious anemia. B12 supplements are given orally or nasal sprays for life. If the vitamin B12 deficiency is due to a vegetarian diet, the affected person should modify his diet to contain vitamin-fortified cereal products, as well as injections or supplements.
All seniors should take supplements containing vitamin B12 periodically, or get injections in the event of malabsorption. If you take vitamin B12 in the form of dietary supplements, you should consider that vitamin B12 in therapeutic quantities may interfere with certain drugs such as antibiotics, some cancer drugs, bones, stomach, heart, nerves, etc. Consult your doctor to avoid any complications.
Vitamin B12 absorption and blood transfusion and storage
Vitamin B12 is found in foods linked to proteins and must be released from these proteins by digesting them with pepsin. Digestion of proteins in the stomach to be absorbed. After being released, vitamin B12 binds to R proteins in the stomach and carries them to the small intestine where these proteins are digested and vitamin B12, which is then linked to binding protein of vitamin B12 produced by the stomach cells, called the protein of the internal factor, and then linked this compound of the internal factor and cobalamin special receptors found on the cells of the segment of the glomerular at the bottom of the small intestine, Apply the copolamin and put the inner agent.
99% of vitamin B12 is absorbed in this way, while 1% is absorbed by the simple propagation method. It should be noted here that the receptors found on the cells of the segment of the intestine from the small intestine can not recognize vitamin B12 without being linked to the internal factor.
The cobalamin moves into the blood after it binds to the plasma R proteins. It is received by the cells of the body by special receptors to play its role as an enzyme in its various functions. Vitamin B12 is stored in healthy people who receive healthy liver nutrition in quantities ranging from 5 to 7 Years, where the liver contains 50% of the stock of vitamin B12 in the body while the remainder is distributed in the cells of the body. As with folate, vitamin B12 is subject to hepatic gastrointestinal circulation, which means that the vitamin is pumped into the intestine by the yellow juice, then it is re-absorbed into the liver. This also contributes to liver storage, so it rarely infects the liver. Vitamin B12 deficiency Healthy people who do not have absorption problems.
Food sources for vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is different from other vitamins and is found in animal foods only. Red meat, liver meat, kidneys, fish, poultry, milk, eggs and cheese are rich sources. So people who eat animal foods can simply get their daily needs. Vegetarians who eat milk and eggs also get enough vitamin B12. For vegetarians who do not eat milk and eggs, and people who lack hydrochloric acid secretion Stomach, they can get their needs by eating fortified cereals such as fortified bread, or by supplements. To maintain vitamin B12 in foods, it should not be prepared or heated with a microwave because it causes the loss of this vitamin.
Vitamin B12 toxicity
There is no vitamin B12 toxicity to remember.
Relationship of vitamin B12 to cardiovascular disease
High levels of homocysteine in the blood raise the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke by its role in atherosclerosis, and vitamin B12 deficiency causes a rise in the level of homocysteine in the blood. It was noted by researchers that vitamin B12 helps to lower the level of homocysteine, so vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Relationship of vitamin B12 to bones
Since vitamin B12 has been discovered to treat malignant anemia, its role has been discovered in the treatment of osteoporosis in people with this type of anemia. Studies have shown the role of this vitamin in the formation and proliferation of bone cells. In cases of vitamin B12 deficiency, homocysteine and acid Methyl malonic acid works to increase the activity of osteoporotic cells, but the relationship of vitamin B12 to bone health and related mechanics remains unclear and needs further research.
Is vitamin B12 deficiency common in Jordan?
The scientific committee and the medical education in the Jordanian Medical Association organized a scientific evening at the scientific social forum for doctors for years about this disease. The forum was attended by Dr. Sana al-Sokhan, Consultant of Hematology and Oncology In the private sector, and Dr. Ziad Naseer, Consultant Neurology and Neurology at the University of Jordan Hospital. The subject was discussed in several ways. After a continuous discussion, the rate of this disease in Jordan is similar to that of other countries. With less than 2%.
During this scientific evening, the lecturers confirmed that the first beneficiary of the rumors was medical laboratories and pharmaceutical companies. The rumors made many citizens demand continuous vitamin B12 testing and buy vitamin B12 medicines, although many do not need to use them.