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Vitamin B12
Cobalamin; Cyanocobalamin
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. After the body uses these vitamins, leftover amounts leave the body through the urine.
The body can store vitamin B12 for years in the liver.
Function
Vitamin B12, like the other B vitamins, is important for protein metabolism . It helps in the formation of red blood cells and in the maintenance of the central nervous system .
Metabolism
Metabolism refers to all the physical and chemical processes in the body that convert or use energy, such as:BreathingCirculating bloodControlling bo...
Central nervous system
The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord. Your brain and spinal cord serve as the main "processing center" for your entir...
Food Sources
Vitamin B12 is found naturally in a wide variety of animal proteins. Plant foods have no vitamin B12 unless they are fortified.
You can get the recommended amounts of vitamin B12 by eating a variety of the foods including:
- Organ meats (beef liver)
- Shellfish (clams)
- Meat, poultry, eggs, milk and other dairy foods
- Some breakfast cereals and nutritional yeasts
To find out if vitamin B12 has been added to a food product, check the nutrition fact panel on the food label.
The body absorbs animal sources of vitamin B12 much better than plant sources. Non-animal sources of vitamin B12 vary in their amount of B12. They are not thought to be reliable sources of the vitamin.
Side Effects
A lack of vitamin B12 ( B12 deficiency ) occurs when the body does not get or is unable to absorb the amount of vitamin that the body needs.
B12 deficiency
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. There are man...
- Many people over age 50 lose the ability to absorb vitamin B12 from foods.
- People who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet should try to eat vitamin B12-fortified foods or talk to their health care provider about taking B12 supplements.
- People who have had gastrointestinal surgery, such as weight loss surgery, lose the ability to absorb vitamin B12.
-
People who have digestive disorders, such as
celiac disease
or
Crohn's disease
, may not absorb enough vitamin B12.
Celiac disease
Celiac disease is a condition caused by damage to the lining of the small intestine. This damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This is a ...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleCrohn's disease
Crohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article
Low levels of B12 can cause:
- Anemia and pernicious anemia
- Loss of balance
- Numbness or tingling in the arms and legs
- Weakness
Recommendations
The best way to meet your body's vitamin B12 needs is to eat a wide variety of animal products.
Supplemental vitamin B12 can be found in the following:
- Almost all multivitamins. Vitamin B12 is better absorbed by the body when it is taken along with other B vitamins, such as niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and magnesium.
- A prescription form of vitamin B12 can be given by injection or as a nasal gel.
- Vitamin B12 is also available in a form that dissolves under the tongue (sublingual).
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamins reflects how much of each vitamin most people should receive on a daily basis. The RDA for vitamins may be used as goals for each person.
How much of each vitamin you need depends on your age and gender. Other factors, such as pregnancy and illnesses, are also important. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding need higher amounts. Ask your provider which amount is best for you.
Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin B12:
Infants (adequate intake)
- 0 to 6 months: 0.4 micrograms per day (mcg/day)
- 7 to 12 months: 0.5 mcg/day
Children
- 1 to 3 years: 0.9 mcg/day
- 4 to 8 years: 1.2 mcg/day
- 9 to 13 years: 1.8 mcg/day
Adolescents and Adults
- Males and females age 14 and older: 2.4 mcg/day
- Pregnant teens and women: 2.6 mcg/day
- Breastfeeding teens and women: 2.8 mcg/day
References
Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. National Academy Press. Washington, DC, 1998. PMID: 23193625 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23193625 .
Mason JB. Vitamins, trace minerals, and other micronutrients. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 225.
Salwen MJ. Vitamins and trace elements. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 26.
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Vitamin B12 benefits - illustration
Vitamin B12 is important for metabolism. Metabolism within the body includes the processes of energy generation and use; including nutrition, digestion, absorption, elimination, respiration, circulation, and temperature regulation.
Vitamin B12 benefits
illustration
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Vitamin B12 source - illustration
The human body stores several years' worth of vitamin B12, so nutritional deficiency of this vitamin is extremely rare. Although, people who follow a strict vegetarian diet and do not consume eggs or dairy products may require vitamin B12 supplements.
Vitamin B12 source
illustration
-
Vitamin B12 benefits - illustration
Vitamin B12 is important for metabolism. Metabolism within the body includes the processes of energy generation and use; including nutrition, digestion, absorption, elimination, respiration, circulation, and temperature regulation.
Vitamin B12 benefits
illustration
-
Vitamin B12 source - illustration
The human body stores several years' worth of vitamin B12, so nutritional deficiency of this vitamin is extremely rare. Although, people who follow a strict vegetarian diet and do not consume eggs or dairy products may require vitamin B12 supplements.
Vitamin B12 source
illustration
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Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
(Alt. Medicine)
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Possible Interactions with: Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
(Alt. Medicine)
Review Date: 2/2/2015
Reviewed By: Emily Wax, RD, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
