Vitamin B12 - Cobalamin, Plays Essential Role In Metabolism, Gastrointestinal Tract, Bone Marrow and Nervous System

Vitamin B12
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. Organ meats are the best source of vitamin B12, followed by clams, oysters, beef, eggs, milk, chicken and cheese.

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.

One of the most important long-term benefits of vitamin B12 is the role it plays 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. Homocysteine is actually a toxic substance that is formed during the metabolism of the amino acid methionine.

Vitamin B12 is one of the vitamins that is required to convert homocysteine into a non-toxic compound. Elevated homocysteine increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis. Also, vitamin B12 deficiency may occur in strict vegetarians which could increase the risk of hyperhomocysteinaemia.

Studies involving hundreds of patients who had undergone successful coronary angioplasty have evaluated these individuals following six months of therapy on vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid, comparing the results to patients on placebo. After one year, the patients on the vitamin therapy had lower rates of related cardiovascular events including heart attacks and repeated angioplasty.