Vitamin B12 is a complex organic compound that contains: carbon, hydrogen, cobalt, nitrogen, oxygen and phosphorus.
Cyanocobalamin is a water-soluble vitamin that is based on the structure of a corrinoid, in the center of which is a cobalt ion. There are other similar chemicals in nature, such as hemoglobin (which has iron in its center) and chlorophyll (which has magnesium in its center).
In the body, cyanocobalamin works better with folic acid.
Stocks of vitamin B12 in the liver can be enough for 10-12 years!
Deficiency (lack) of vitamin B12 is observed most often in vegetarians (who do not consume meat, milk, eggs, fish) and in patients suffering from various diseases (diabetes mellitus, AIDS, gastritis, pancreatitis, people with surgical resection of the stomach or intestines, consuming anti-acid, antirheumatic or antidiabetic drugs.
The need for vitamin B12 increases with elevated levels of homocysteine or with reduced levels of hemoglobin.
The most important functions of cyanocobalamin are:
- maintaining the proper functioning of the immune system;
- participation in the metabolism of important amino acids (methionine, homocysteine) and neurotransmitters (choline, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine);
- participation in the biosynthesis of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA).
The main symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency in the body are: weakness, fatigue, pallor, shortness of breath, pale lips, paresthesia, predisposition to infections, loss of smell and touch, aggressiveness, fear, depression, memory impairment, pernicious anemia, degeneration of the nervous system and brain damage. , mental disorders, manifestations similar to Alzheimer's disease.
Vitamin B12 is absorbed primarily in the intestines through calcium and enzymes.
With cyanocobalamin hypovitaminosis, rapidly dividing cells, bone marrow, and gamete production are affected.
The recommended daily allowance for vitamin B12 is 3 mcg/day, but 5-15 mcg/day is considered optimal.
With age, the body's ability to absorb this substance decreases.
In order to make up for the need for vitamin B12, sucking tablets containing 1000 mcg/tablet can be used.
The richest foods in vitamin B12 are: boiled liver (veal, sheep and chicken), boiled pork kidneys and baked mackerel. There is also a lot of cyanocobalamin in: live oysters, smoked herring, sardines in oil, boiled veal heart, boiled sheep or veal brains, rabbit meat.
The 1-year survival rate in cancer patients is 30% higher with an excess of vitamin B12 in the body and 60% higher with normal levels of this substance in the body. The annual risk of developing cancer is higher in people with an excess of cyanocobalamin in the body compared to those with normal values.
