Cobalamin

Cobalamin or vitamin B₁₂ is a chemical compound that is also known as cyanocobalamine. It is needed for nerve cells and red blood cells, and to make DNA. It is an organometallic compound with a trivalent cobalt ion bound inside a corrin ring. Its chemical structure was determined by Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin.

Table of contents

1 Deprivation

2 Sources

3 Other uses

4 External links

Deprivation

Vitamin B₁₂ is mostly absorbed in the terminal ileum. The production of intrinsic factor in the stomach is vital to absorption of this vitamin. Megaloblastic anemia can result from inadequate intake of vitamin B₁₂, inadequate production of intrinsic factor (pernicious anemia), disorders of the terminal ileum resulting in malabsorption, or by competition for available B₁₂ (such as fish tapeworms or bacteria present in the blind loop syndrome). Neurological signs of B₁₂ deficiency, which can occur without accompanying hematologic abnormalities, include demyelination and irreversible nerve cell death. Symptoms include numbness or tingling of the extremities and an ataxic gait.

Sources

In nature, B₁₂ is solely produced by bacteria found in animals (including humans), so that dirt could actually be considered a natural source of B₁₂. While vegetarians usually get enough B₁₂ through dairy products or eggs, it can sometimes be lacking in those following vegan diet who do not make an effort to find B₁₂ enriched foodstuffs, like enriched cereals, soya based products or yeast extract. There are also foods naturally rich in B₁₂ such as spirulina, an algae, or nori, a seaweed, but research suggests that it is not possible for the human body to utilize the vitamin B₁₂ contained in these foods.

Other uses

Vitamin B₁₂ is a popular substance for use in diluting (or cutting) methamphetamine.