Vitamin B-Complex

At Work in Cell Production

Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, plays a multitude of roles in the body. One of its most important functions is in the production of red blood cells. If the body does not receive enough cobalamin, red blood cells become fragile and too large to work efficiently, and lower levels of functioning red blood cells occur.

Vitamin B12 is needed throughout the body to make DNA, a cell’s genetic material. A shortage of vitamin B12 leads to a shortage of cell production. Because of this shortage, red blood cells do not undergo proper maturation. The result of this is a decreased amount of red blood cells in the body and a resulting lower levels of functioning red blood cells.

All of the body’s cells, not just red blood cells, need cobalamin. Cobalamin plays a role in growth and division of all cells in the body. Therefore, cobalamin is essential for the proper maintenance of the cells in the immune system, including white blood cells-those most critical for the defense of the body.*

Vitamin B12 is essential for proper functioning of the nervous system.* It is required for synthesis of myelin and maintenance of the integrity of neuronal (brain) tissue. Due to this role in the nerve transduction system, a large list of neurological problems have been linked to vitamin B12 deficiency. Because of this fact, vitamin B12 has been indicated for promoting the health of nervous tissues in the body.*

Working with the other B vitamins, especially folic acid and pyridoxine, cobalamin helps turn the fats, carbohydrates, and proteins an individual eats into energy for the body. It also helps to remove harmful homocysteine from the body before it can damage blood vessel walls.

Scientific References

Andres E. Goichot B. Schlienger JL. Food cobalamin malabsorption: a usual cause of vitamin B12 deficiency [letter; comment]. Archives of Internal Medicine. 160(13):2061-2, 2000 Jul 10.

Anonymous. Vitamin B12 confirmed as effective sulfite allergy blocker. Allergy Observer. 4(2):1. March-April 1998.

Bastrup-Madsen P, Helleberg-Rasmussen I, Norregard S, et al. Long term therapy of pernicious anemia with the depot cobalamin preparation Betolvex^®. Scand. J. Haematol. 31:57-62.1983.

Beck WS. Cobalamin and the nervous system (editorial). N. Eng. J. Med. 318:1752-1754. 1988.

Berlin H, Berlin R, Brante G, et al. Vitamin B12 body stores during oral preparation and parenteral treatment of pernicious anemia. Acta Med Scand. 204:81-84. 1978.

Bronstrup A, Haggs M, Prinz-Langenohl R, et al. Effects of folic acid and combination of folic acid and vitamin B12 on plasma homocysteine concentrations in healthy, young women. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 68:1104-1110. 1998.

Chandna SM, Tattersall JE, Nevett G, et al. Low serum vitamin B12 levels in chronic high-flux ahemodialysis patients. Nephron. 75:259-263. 1997.

Crosby WH. Oral cyanocobalamin without intrinsic factor for pernicious anemia. Arch. Intern. Med. 140:1582. 1980.

Geissbuhler P. Mermillod B. Rapin CH. Elevated serum vitamin B12 levels associated with CRP as a predictive factor of mortality in palliative care cancer patients: a prospective study over five years. Journal of Pain & Symptom Management. 20(2):93-103, 2000 Aug.

Gilman AG, Rall TW, Nies AS, et al(eds). Goodman and Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 8th ed. Pergamon Press. New York. 1990.

Goebels N. Soyka M. Dementia associated with vitamin B(12) deficiency: presentation of two cases and review of the literature. [Review] [61 refs] Journal of Neuropsychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences. 12(3):389-94, 2000 Summer.

Heimburger, etal. Improvement in bronchial squamous metaplasia in smokers treated with folate and vitamin B12. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 45:866. 1987.

Hjelt K, Brynskob J, Hippe E, et al. Oral contraceptives and the cobalamin (vitamin B12) metabolism. Acta. Obstet. Gynecol. Scand. 64:59-63. 1985.

Jacobsen DW, Simon RA and M Singh. Sulfite oxidase deficiency and cobalamin protection in sulfite sensitive asthmatics (SSA) (Abstract). Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Supplement). 73:135. 1984.

Lindenbaum J, et al. Neuropsychiatric disorders caused by cobalamin deficiency in the absence of anemia or macrocytosis. N. Eng. J. Med. 318:1720-1727. 1988.

Louwman MW. van Dusseldorp M. van de Vijver FJ. Thomas CM. Schneede J. Ueland PM. Refsum H. van Staveren WA. Signs of impaired cognitive function in adolescents with marginal cobalamin status. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 72(3):762-9, 2000 Sep.

Okawa, M, et al. Vitamin B12 treatment for sleep-wake rhythm disorders. Japanese Journal of Psychiatry and Neurobiology. 45(1) 165-166. 1991.

Sullivan LW. Vitamin B12 metabolism and megaloblastic anemia. Semin. Hematol. 7:6-22. 1970.

Title LM. Cummings PM. Giddens K. Genest JJ Jr. Nassar BA. Effect of folic acid and antioxidant vitamins on endothelial dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 36(3):758-65, 2000 Sep.

van Asselt DZ. Blom HJ. Zuiderent R. Wevers RA. Jakobs C. van den Broek WJ. Lamers CB. Corstens FH. Hoefnagels WH. Clinical significance of low cobalamin levels in older hospital patients. Netherlands Journal of Medicine. 57(2):41-9, 2000 Aug.

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.