Vitamin B12 was discovered by scientists as the latest of this group. Its other name is cyanocobalamin. This is a vitamin that belongs to water-soluble substances, it has a bright red color. Lack of B12 in the human body can cause serious he alth problems.
The cob alt molecule is at the center of such a substance as cyanocobalamin. It is the only water-soluble vitamin that can accumulate in the human body.
What is it for?
Vitamin B12 performs essential biological functions in the human body:
- takes part in the process of synthesis of hemoglobin and blood elements (if it is not enough, a person develops anemia, since the production of new red blood cells is very slow with B12 deficiency);
- vitamin cyanocobalamin supports the body's defenses - this is its main task, which is the production of leukocytes responsible for the destruction of foreign bodies (B12 deficiency is especially dangerous for patients diagnosed with AIDS, because in connection with this, their immune system becomes less protected, and diseasedevelops twice as fast);
- calms and promotes the normal functioning of the nervous system (vitamin cyanocobalamin is responsible for good memory, normal brain function, anti-stress protection, prevents senile dementia, sclerosis, depression);
- promotes male reproductive he alth (vitamin B12 affects sperm count).
There are many branches of medicine where it is used. 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 receive the necessary component from the blood.
The substance in question has an effect on blood pressure: it has the ability to increase this indicator, so it is simply necessary for hypotension.
Vitamin cyanocobalamin also helps to cope with insomnia, and, if necessary, to adapt to changes in sleep and wakefulness.
The action of vitamin B12
Cobamine, or adenosylcobalamin, is the active form of cyanocobalamin. What vitamin it is, probably not everyone represents. More familiar to the average consumer are other B vitamins such as B1, B2 or B6.
B12 has the following effect on the body:
- prevents fatty liver;
- activates methionine synthesis;
- participates in the process of oxygen transfer;
- reinforcesimmunity.
The daily requirement for cyanocobalamin depends on the age of the person, on the presence of bad habits (alcohol or tobacco abuse), on whether he follows special diets. For example, vegetarians especially need extra B12 as their diet is free of meat and fish.
Pregnant women, the elderly, those with AIDS and chronic diarrhea also have an increased need for cyanocobalamin.
Cyanocobalamin deficiency in the body: consequences
There can be several reasons for the lack of this vitamin:
- unbalanced or improperly formulated diet;
- deterioration of the process of assimilation of food by the body due to operations on the digestive organs;
- various disorders in the functioning of the digestive tract.
Cyanocobalamin is a substance, the lack of which can affect almost all systems and organs of the human body. The main consequences of vitamin B12 deficiency:
- disorder of the nervous system (depression, insomnia, loss of sensation in the fingers, severe irritability, dryness and redness of the skin, apathy, hallucinations, headaches, chronic fatigue, ringing in the ears, constant drowsiness);
- problems with the functioning of the digestive system (food is poorly digested, constant constipation occurs, symptoms of flatulence are present, gastroduodenitis and stomach ulcers may develop);
- extensionliver;
- development of anemia.
It should be noted that it is difficult to immediately detect a lack of cyanocobalamin: first, all the reserves of the above vitamin in the body are consumed. This process can take years. Therefore, diets that are not controlled by doctors are of particular danger to each person. Self-refusal of a particular type of food is dangerous to human he alth. The risk group for cyanocobalamin deficiency includes primarily vegetarians.
How to detect hypervitaminosis
Signs of an overdose of vitamin B12 are manifested in the following symptoms:
- pulmonary edema;
- vascular thrombosis (peripheral);
- heart failure (congestive);
- anaphylactic shock (in extreme cases);
- urticaria.
Indications for the use of vitamin B12
People with the following conditions should consume the above vitamin first:
- allergy (asthma, urticaria);
- liver disease (cirrhosis, enlargement of this organ, hepatitis);
- chronic pancreatitis;
- increased nervousness and other disorders of this system (polio, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, sciatica, encephalomyelitis);
- oncological diseases, radiation sickness;
- chronic diarrhea.
In addition, cyanocobalamin is attributed in the complex therapy of newborn children who have suffered complex infectious diseases.
"Cyanocobalamin-Vial": what is it?
Vitamin B12 is known to be produced as an odorless, dark red, crystalline powder. A solution of the above substance, intended for injection, is called "Cyanocobalamin-Vial".
It is prescribed by a specialist for such ailments as anemia, liver failure, cirrhosis, hepatitis, neuralgia, polyneuritis, cerebral palsy, Down's disease, psoriasis, dermatitis and others.
There are also many more symptoms of other diseases for which doctors recommend its use. Cyanocobalamin is used for prophylactic purposes, for example, in violation of the absorption of vitamin B12 in case of stomach pathology or in case of radiation sickness and oncological ailments.
Vitamin B12 in some diseases is often injected 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 a bowel movement.
Interaction with other vitamins
The absorption of cyanocobalamin is impaired when taking the following drugs:
- antihyperlipidemic substances;
- potassium;
- TB drugs;
- corticosteroid hormones;
- neuroleptics.
Also, it should be noted that ascorbic acid, if taken in very large amounts, affects the absorption of vitamin B12 from food.
Sources of cyanocobalamin for the bodyhuman
Cyanocobalamin has another unique ability. It is a substance that is not produced by any animal or plant. Bacteria are the only organisms that can synthesize it.
Sources of cyanocobalamin are the following foods:
- lamb meat, beef, pork;
- fish and seafood: shrimp, clams, oysters, mussels, crayfish;
- seaweed;
- yeast;
- offal (liver, heart, kidney);
- egg yolk;
- skim milk and cheese.
An interesting feature of cyanocobalamin: the source of this vitamin is bacteria found on unwashed fruits and vegetables. Scientists have found that vegetarians from countries with poor sanitation feel quite well without eating meat and fish. It turns out that the whole secret was that they ate unwashed foods, thereby providing themselves with the necessary amount of vitamin B12.
Contraindications
Vitamin B12 is not recommended for patients with the following he alth 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 the strict supervision of a doctor, vitamin B12 is used by patients with benign and malignant neoplasms, which are accompanied by anemia anddeficiency of the above substance. The tendency to form blood clots is an obstacle to the safe use of cyanocobalamin for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.
Cyanocobalamin is little known to the average consumer. This beneficial substance, it turns out, plays a crucial role in maintaining he alth. Vitamin B12 is found mainly in meat, fish and seafood, so the restriction in the use of these foods poses a serious threat to humans.
