Vitamin B12 was discovered by scientists the latest in this group. Its other name is cyanocobalamin. This is a vitamin that belongs to water-soluble substances, it is bright red. A lack of B12 in the human body can cause serious health problems.
The cobalt molecule is located in the center of a substance such as cyanocobalamin. This is the only water-soluble vitamin that can accumulate in the human body.
What is it for?
Vitamin B12 performs the most important biological functions in the human body:
- takes part in the synthesis of hemoglobin and blood elements (if it is not enough, a person develops anemia, since the production of new red blood cells occurs very slowly with a deficiency of B12);
- vitamin cyanocobalamin supports the body's defenses - this is its main task, which is to produce white blood cells responsible for the destruction of foreign bodies (B12 deficiency is especially dangerous for patients diagnosed with AIDS, because of this, their immune system becomes less protected, and the disease develops two times faster);
- calms and contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system (vitamin cyanocobalamin is responsible for good memory, normal brain function, anti-stress protection, and prevents senile dementia, sclerosis, depression);
- contributes to the reproductive health of men (the amount of sperm in semen depends on vitamin B12).
There are many branches of medicine where its application is carried out. Cyanocobalamin is actively used to support the respiratory system. With a lack of oxygen in the blood, vitamin B12 enhances the ability of cells to get the right component from the blood.
The substance in question affects blood pressure: it has the ability to increase this indicator, therefore, it is simply necessary for hypotension.
Vitamin cyanocobalamin also helps to cope with insomnia, and, if necessary, adapt to changes in sleep and wakefulness.
The action of vitamin B12
Cobamine, or adenosyl cobalamin, is an active form of an element such as cyanocobalamin. What vitamin is it, probably not everyone represents. More familiar to the average consumer are other substances in the group of vitamins B, such as B1, B2 or B6.
B12 is characterized by the following effects on the body:
- prevents fatty liver ;
- activates the synthesis of methionine;
- participates in the process of oxygen transfer;
- strengthens the immune system.
The daily requirement for cyanocobalamin depends on the person’s age, on the presence of bad habits (alcohol or tobacco abuse), on whether he follows special diets. For example, vegetarians especially need to additionally consume B12, since their diet does not contain meat and fish.
Pregnant women, the elderly, patients with AIDS and chronic diarrhea also experience an increased need for cyanocobalamin.
Cyanocobalamin deficiency in the body: consequences
There may be several reasons for the lack of this vitamin:
- an unbalanced or improperly designed diet;
- deterioration of the process of food assimilation by the body in connection with the operations carried out on the digestive organs;
- various disorders in the functioning of the digestive tract.
Cyanocobalamin is a substance with a deficiency of which almost all systems and organs of the human body can suffer. The main consequences of vitamin B12 deficiency:
- disorder of the nervous system (depression, insomnia, loss of sensitivity in the fingers, severe irritability, dryness and redness of the skin, apathy, hallucinations, headaches, chronic fatigue, tinnitus, constant drowsiness) ;
- problems with the functioning of the digestive system (food is poorly absorbed, there are constant constipation, there are symptoms of flatulence, gastroduodenitis and stomach ulcers may develop);
- enlargement of the liver;
- the development of anemia.
It should be noted that a lack of cyanocobalamin is immediately difficult to detect: first, all reserves of the above vitamin in the body are consumed. This process can take years. Therefore, diets that are not controlled by doctors constitute a particular danger to each person. Independent refusal to take a particular type of food is dangerous to human health. The risk group for cyanocobalamin deficiency includes primarily vegetarians.
How to identify hypervitaminosis
Signs of an overdose of vitamin B12 are manifested in the following symptoms:
- pulmonary edema;
- thrombosis of blood vessels (peripheral);
- heart failure (congestive);
- anaphylactic shock (in extreme cases);
- hives.
Indications for the use of vitamin B12
People with the following diseases need to use the above vitamin in the first place:
- allergies (asthma, urticaria);
- liver disease (cirrhosis, an increase in the size of this organ, hepatitis);
- chronic pancreatitis;
- increased nervousness and other disorders of this system (poliomyelitis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, radiculitis, encephalomyelitis);
- oncological diseases, radiation sickness;
- chronic diarrhea.
In addition, cyanocobalamin is ascribed in complex therapy to newborn children who have suffered complex infectious diseases.
Cyanocobalamin-Vial: what is it?
Vitamin B12 is known to be produced in the form of an odorless, crystalline powder of a dark red color. A solution of the above substance, intended for injection, is called "Cyanocobalamin-Vial".
He is appointed by a specialist in such ailments as anemia, liver failure, cirrhosis, hepatitis, neuralgia, polyneuritis, cerebral palsy, Down's disease, psoriasis, and other dermatitis.
There are also many more symptoms of other diseases in which doctors recommend its use. Cyanocobalamin is used for prophylactic purposes, for example, in case of malabsorption of vitamin B12 in the case of pathology of the stomach or radiation sickness and cancer.
Vitamin B12 for some diseases is often administered by injection with other vitamins (thiamine, pyridoxine). In some cases, this remedy is prescribed rectally. Cyanocobalamin + pyridoxine is administered to the patient in the form of suppositories after bowel movement.
Interaction with other vitamins
The absorption of cyanocobalamin is disturbed when taking the following drugs:
- antihyperlipidemic substances;
- potassium;
- anti-TB drugs ;
- corticosteroid hormones;
- antipsychotics.
In addition, it should be noted that ascorbic acid, if taken in very large quantities, has an effect on the absorption of vitamin B12 from food.
Sources of cyanocobalamin for the human body
Cyanocobalamin has another unique ability. It is a substance that is not produced by any animals or plants. Bacteria are the only organisms that can synthesize it.
Sources of cyanocobalamin are the following foods:
- lamb meat, beef, pork;
- fish and seafood: shrimp, shellfish, oysters, mussels, crayfish;
- seaweed;
- yeast;
- offal (liver, heart, kidneys);
- egg yolk;
- nonfat milk and cheese.
An interesting feature of cyanocobalamin: the source of this vitamin are bacteria that are on unwashed fruits and vegetables. Scientists have found that vegetarians from countries with poor sanitary conditions felt quite well without eating meat and fish. It turns out that the whole secret was that they consumed unwashed foods, thereby providing themselves with the necessary amount of vitamin B12.
Contraindications
Vitamin B12 is not recommended for patients who have the following health problems:
- thromboembolism;
- erythrocytosis;
- erythremia.
In addition, it is contraindicated in women during pregnancy and lactation. With caution, cyanocobalamin is prescribed to people with symptoms of angina pectoris. Also, under strict medical supervision, vitamin B12 is used by patients with benign and malignant neoplasms, which are accompanied by anemia and a deficiency of the above substance. The tendency to form blood clots is an obstacle to the safe use of cyanocobalamin for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.
To the average consumer, such a vitamin as cyanocobalamin is little known. This useful substance, it turns out, plays a crucial role in maintaining health. Vitamin B12 is found mainly in meat, fish and seafood, so the restriction in the use of this food poses a serious threat to humans.