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Vitamin
B12
Vitamin B12
is the only vitamin that contains essential mineral elements. In the human
diet, vitamin B12 is supplied primarily by animal byproducts, since plant
foods (with minor exceptions) don't contain it. It is unique among water-soluble
vitamins because it can be stored in the body.
Unlike other
water-soluble nutrients, vitamin B12 is stored in the liver, kidney, and
other body tissues. As a result, signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency
may not show themselves until after 5-6 years of poor dietary intake.
Other agents that may deplete Vitamin B12 stores include anticoagulent
drugs, antigout medications, laxatives, alcohol, aspirin, antibiotics,
diuretics, antacids, caffeine, estrogen, sleeping pills, contraceptives,
and cooking temperatures.
Vitamin B12
can form and regenerate red blood cells, thereby preventing anemia, help
break down the amino acid homocysteine thereby lowering the risk of heart
disease, increase energy, maintain a healthy nervous system by nourishing
the myelin sheaths surrounding the nerves, help the body to properly utilize
fats, carbohydrates, and protein, relieve irritability and improve concentration,
memory, and balance. It can help protect against smoking-induced cancer,
and it is also useful in cases of depression.
The best
natural sources of Vitamin B12 are fish, beef, pork, eggs, milk and cheese.
Although
it is popular to inject Vitamin B12, injection is not necessary. The most
common form of Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) in an appropriate dosage,
even in the absence of other intrinsic factors, results in effective elevations
of vitamin B12. An editorial which appeared in the January 2, 1991 issue
of JAMA states that oral therapy of Cyanocobalamin produces reliable and
effective treatment when given in sufficient quantities. In the body,
Cyanocobalamin is converted into Methylcobalamin. Some experts feel that
this may be a more absorbable form. If the body is not able to make this
conversion due to poor metabolism, Methylcobalamin may be used or a higher
dose of Cyanocobalamin. One of the problems with many of the Cyanocobalamin
products on the market is that they have been highly diluted, many times
with di-calcium phosphate. Therefore look for a Vitamin B12 that contains
fully concentrated Cyanocobalamin.
In using
higher doses it should be noted that there have been no cases reported
of vitamin B12 toxicity, even on megadose regimens.
References:
Earl Mindell's
Vitamin Bible for the 21st Century. By Earl Mindell, Warner Books, (c)
1999.
Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. By Michael Murray, N.D. Prima
Publishing. (c) 1996.
Doctor's Guide to Natural Medicine. By Paul Barney, M.D. Woodland Publishing
Co. (c) 1998.
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