Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) - characteristics, sources, instructions for use

Vitamin B12 is the most chemically complex vitamin of its group, it was discovered by studying the effect of animal liver consumption on anemic factors in food. Three scientists in 1934 received the Nobel Prize for the discovery of the beneficial property of the vitamin - the ability to reduce the risk of anemia.

B12 vitamins are represented by several chemical substances: cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, methylcobalamin, cobamamide. But cyanocobalamin enters the human body to a greater extent and has a beneficial effect, this is how many call vitamin B12 in its narrow sense. It is a red powder, well soluble in water, odorless, able to accumulate in the body, concentrating in the liver, lungs, spleen and kidneys.

Vitamin B12 value

Vitamin plays an important role in maintaining the health of the body:

• Boosts immune defenses.
• It is an additional source of energy.
• Normalizes blood pressure, is especially useful for hypotonic patients.
• It activates mental activity, improves memory, attention.
• Helps fight depression, prevents nervous disorders and diseases.
• Promotes normal growth of the body, regulates appetite.
• Plays an important role in the prevention of anemia.
• Supports sexual function in men, increases fertility.
• Reduces irritability and nervous irritability.
• Effective for insomnia.
• Prevents obesity of the liver, improving its condition.

In addition, vitamin B12 accelerates protein synthesis, which leads to an increase in its concentration and accumulation in the body. It promotes the formation of red blood cells, which are the main source of oxygen and other nutrients for all internal organs. Thanks to cyanocobalamin, the absorption of folic acid by the membrane of neurons and erythrocytes is accelerated. Vitamin plays an important role in the metabolic process, accelerating the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats.

Sources

Vitamin B12 is synthesized independently in the body in the intestines, but this happens in small doses. With age, with certain diseases or with regular sports training, its natural level decreases, the body needs additional sources. You can get the vitamin with food.

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Daily rate (instructions for use)

The daily intake of vitamin B12 depends on age, lifestyle, individual characteristics of the body. But scientists have standardized the concept of the norm and derived its average value for different age groups:

Deficit

The amount of vitamin necessary for normal functioning does not always enter the body. With its deficiency, the following symptoms may appear:

• Lethargy, apathy.
• Insomnia.
• Increased nervous irritability and irritability.
• Dizziness.
• Anemia due to a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood.
• Stool disorder.
• Bruising at the slightest pressure on the skin.
• The occurrence of gum disease and bleeding.
• Convulsions.
• Deterioration of complexion, pallor.
• Hair loss, dullness and brittleness.

If you have several symptoms, you need to consult a doctor who will prescribe the necessary tests and identify the cause of the disorders, and then prescribe the most suitable drugs to eliminate them and treat the root of the problem.

Read more about diseases associated with vitamin B12 deficiency in the source - wikipedia.

Excess vitamin

Since vitamin B12 is water-soluble, its excess is able to be excreted from the body on its own. But uncontrolled use of supplements and violation of the recommended daily allowance can lead to unpleasant consequences:

• problems with stool;
• disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
• blood pressure surges;
• the appearance of allergic skin rashes.

If these symptoms occur, it is recommended to stop taking supplements, after which the symptoms of overdose will disappear, the work of the body's systems will return to normal.

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Indications for use

Vitamin B12 is prescribed for various pathological changes in the body, including those caused by exhausting diets and intense sports training. He is showing for admission when:

• anemia;
• liver diseases, including various forms of hepatitis;
• frequent colds against a background of decreased immunity;
• skin diseases of various etiologies;
• neuroses and other disorders of the nervous system;
• a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood;
• kidney disease;
• Cerebral palsy, Down's disease.

Contraindications

It is not recommended to take vitamin B12 for serious diseases of the circulatory system:

• embolism;
• leukemia;
• hemochromatosis.

You should not take vitamin supplements to pregnant and lactating women, as well as children under 18 years of age, without consulting a specialist. Individual intolerance to the components is possible.

Interaction with other drugs

1. Taking potassium reduces the rate of absorption of cyanocobalamin, so you should not combine the use of these supplements. Nevertheless, it is worth knowing that due to the fact that vitamin B12 is able to accumulate and remain in the body for a certain time, a short course of potassium intake, if medically indicated, will not reduce the level of the vitamin in the blood.
2. The absorption of cyanocobalamin is reduced by taking antihyperlipidemic and anti-tuberculosis drugs.
3. Ascorbic acid increases the amount of vitamin synthesized in the intestine, and is also its conductor into the cell.

Pills or shots?

Vitamin B12 is sold in the pharmacy in the form of tablets and injections. Both forms are intended to compensate for the lack of vitamin in the body, but, as a rule, it is the tablets that are prescribed to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency. They are taken in courses, are effective for minor violations associated with a lack of vitamin, their action is more likely aimed at preventing the occurrence of vitamin deficiency. Injections are prescribed for critically low levels of the vitamin in the blood, as well as for concomitant diseases that prevent its production.

Cyanocobalamin, supplied by injection, is absorbed much faster, since it does not depend on the presence of a special enzyme in the stomach and enters the bloodstream directly, bypassing the stage of splitting. The degree of its assimilation reaches 90% versus 70% obtained orally.

Vitamin B12 for athletes

Regular physical activity leads to intensive expenditure of all nutrients, including vitamin B12. To replenish the required amount, athletes should take specially formulated dietary supplements.

Vitamin B12, due to its active participation in carbohydrate metabolism, contributes to the production of additional energy during sports, which allows you to increase the load and increase the training time.

Due to the beneficial effect on the state of the nervous system, cyanocobalamin improves coordination of movements, helps to focus on performing a specific exercise, which makes it possible to work out each muscle group more carefully.

Vitamin supplements are especially useful for vegetarians, since most of it is found in animal products.

It helps not only to improve the quality of training, but also to recover from the competition by stabilizing the nervous system.

Top 5 Vitamin B12 Supplements

Name	Manufacturer	Release form	Application	Price	Packing photo
Vitamin B12	Solgar	60 capsules for sucking / 1000 mcg	1 capsule per day	800 rubles
B-12	Now Foods	250 lozenges / 1000 μg	1 lozenge per day	900 rubles
Neurobion	MERCK	Ampoules / 100 mg	1 ampoule per day	300 rubles for 3 ampoules
		Tablets / 200 mcg	3 times a day, 1 tablet	330 rubles for 20 tablets
Neurovitan	Al-Hikma	30 gummies / 0.25 mg	1 to 4 tablets per day	170 rubles
Cyanocobalamin	Borisov plant, Belarus	Ampoules of 1 ml / 500 mcg	From 1 ampoule per day depending on the disease	35 rubles for 10 ampoules.

Watch the video: All about Vitamin B12 in 10mins (January 2025).