Sources of Vitamin B12



The human body needs vitamin B12 or cobalamin for it to function properly. The human body needs vitamin B12 for the formation of red blood cell. Vitamin B12 is also vital in keeping a healthy nervous system. Any B12 deficiency can lead to serious impairment and health issues.

Vitamin B12 is most readily found in animal proteins such as those found in red meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy. Plants and vegetables contain only smaller amounts of vitamin B12 derived from microorganisms. Ovalactovegetarians and lactovegetarians get vitamin B12 in their milk and eggs. However, strict vegetarians and vegans have few sources of naturally occurring vitamin B12 and are advised to include in their diet foods that are fortified with vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 Absorption

The body has a complex method of absorbing and recycling vitamin B12. Any defect in the absorption process can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency.

One place where absorption takes place is in the stomach. The gastric acid and pepsin in the stomach help remove vitamin B12 from animal proteins. The reason it is important to masticate food well is that vitamin B12 binds readily with salivary R protein for absorption.

In addition, pancreatic enzymes or an alkaline pH will react with vitamin B12 to increase its rate of absorption by the body. These help to break down the R protein-cobalamin complex. Then, prior to absorption by the body, vitamin B12 binds to intrinsic factor (IF) to form an IF-cobalamin complex.

Conditions Affecting the Body's Absorption of Vitamin B12

If you have a medical condition that affects your body's vitamin B12 absorption, it is important to consume extra vitamin B12. However, if you do not have a medical condition affecting vitamin B12 absorption and you simply do not consume a lot of vitamin B12 in your diet for a variety of reasons (e.g., if you are a vegan), then taking supplements is necessary to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency.

Any health condition that might decrease the body's ability to digest food proteins properly can be a cause of vitamin B12 deficiency. One common cause of this kind of health condition is failure of the body to release adequate gastric acid. This itself is a symptom that can be attributed to a number of other possible underlying health conditions.

If you have a condition such as pernicious anemia or if you have had a gastrectomy, you may be at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency. As mentioned previously, vitamin B12 absorption is a complex bodily process that can be hampered if any necessary compounds and bodily functions are not present. Vitamin B12 absorption happens when salivary R protein binds with intrinsic factors in the small intestine. If these intrinsic factors are not present, the absorption of vitamin B12 will fail. The natural result is vitamin B12 deficiency.