Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamins)

Name: Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamins)

Scientific Name:

Intro: Cobalamin is the common name of vitamin B12 because it contains the heavy metal cobalt, which gives this water-soluble vitamin its red color. Vitamin B12 is essential for growth and plays a role in metabolism within cells, especially those of the gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow and nervous tissue.Vitamin B12 is not found in plants, but it is produced by bacteria in the digestive tract of animals, which explains why animal protein products are the only dietary source of this nutrient.

On the cellular level, Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the replication of DNA while supporting growth of the body’s cells. The vitamin is also vital for the function and maintenance of the nervous system and red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is instrumental in the body’s metabolism of protein, fat and carbohydrates.

Nutrient Content:

Benefits:

Plays an important role in the replication of DNA while supporting growth of the body’s cells
Vital for the function and maintenance of the nervous system and red blood cells
Instrumental in the body’s metabolism of protein, fat and carbohydrates
Plays a key role in preventing elevated levels of homocysteine from building up in the body even when the levels are increased by lipid lowering drugs known as fibrates - elevated homocysteine increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis.
Enhances cognitive performance in older adults - reduces risk of Alzheimer's disease
May treat certain symptoms of Crohn’s disease
Has been used experimentally to suppress the AIDS virus and to support health in AIDS patients, who are commonly deficient
May ease symptoms for people with bronchial asthma while possibly supporting healthy brain function in diabetics
May also enhance sperm count and sperm activity in cases of male infertility
Can prevent allergic reaction to sulfite

Comments: The Dietary Supplements Information Bureau recommends a maintenance dosage of 1-25mcg daily. Deficiency doses can be 250mcg daily, doses as high as 2,000mcg daily have been used in chronic renal insufficiency. This dietary supplement is considered safe when used in accordance with proper dosing guidelines.

Caution: If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breast-feeding an infant, talk to your healthcare professional about supplementing your diet with appropriate vitamins and minerals.

Possible Interactions

Oral Contraceptives
Studies have reported that women taking these medications have decreased levels of vitamin B12 in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include norethindrone, ethynodiol diacetate, norgestrel, norgestimate, ethinyl estradiol, drospirenone, desogestrel, levonorgestrel .

Antibiotics
Studies have reported that the use of antibiotics is known to decrease the beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, which may decrease the amount of the vitamin B12 that is normally made. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include Aminoglycosides, Cephalosporins, Fluoroquinolones, Quinolones, Macrolides, Penicillins, Sulfonamides, Tetracyclines, Trimethoprin-containing antibiotics, Carbapenems, Monobactams, chloramphenicol, spectinomycin, Streptogramins, vancomycin, Oxalodinones, Lincosamides, Nitrofurans .

Antiviral Nucleoside Reverse
These medications may causes a decrease in vitamin B12 levels in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include zidovudine (azidothymidine; AZT; compound S), didanosine (ddl; dideoxyinosine), lamivudine (3TC), stavudine (d4T), zalcitabine (ddC; dideoxycytidine), abacavir sulfate .

Biguanides
In one study, 30% of patients taking metformin developed a decreased ability to absorb vitamin B12. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include metformin.

Bile Acid Sequestrants
These medications decrease the absorption of vitamin B12. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam .

Clofibrate
Clofibrate is reported to decrease the absorption of vitamin B12 from the digestive tract. Other "fibrates", such as fenofibrate could act in a similar way. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary.

Colchicine
Colchicine may cause changes to the lining of the digestive tract, which could inhibit the absorption of vitamin B12 from the digestive tract into the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary.

H-2 Receptor Antagonists
These medications decrease the amount of stomach acid which may reduce the absorption of this vitamin. Supplementation with affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine.

Phenytoin
Phenytoin may decrease the absorption of vitamin B12 into certain cells in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary.

Proton Pump Inhibitors
These medications reduces the amount of acid in the stomach, which may decrease the absorption of vitamin B12 from the digestive tract into the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary.
These drugs include lansoprazole, omeprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole .

Potassium chloride, sustained / controlled release medications
These medications can change the amount of acid in the stomach, which may inhibit the absorption of vitamin B12 into the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include potassium chloride .