Hypervitaminosis B12

Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, is one of 8 B vitamins. All B vitamins help the body convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which is used to produce energy.

The highest percentage of vitamin B12 that is required for enzymatic reactions is taken into the body through food, primarily of animal origin (offal, various types of meat, eggs, milk). Vitamin B12 is responsible for numerous functions in your body, including red blood cell formation, energy production, DNA formation, and nerve maintenance

Elevated vitamin B12 (also known as hypervitaminosis B12 or hypercobalaminemia) is most important as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for malignant disease.

Increased concentrations of vitamin B12 are the result of excessive intake of this vitamin, increased release of vitamins from hepatic depots, or elevated concentrations of transcobalamin resulting from the increased production or reduced decomposition of this molecule.

Hematologic disorders like chronic myelogeneous leukemia, promyelocytic leukemia, polycythemia vera and also the hypereosinophilic syndrome can result in elevated levels of vitamin B12.

The increase in circulating vitamin B12 levels is predominantly caused by enhanced production of haptocorrin. The essential function of haptocorrin is protection of the acid-sensitive vitamin B12 while it moves through the stomach. High vitamin B12values are commonly associated with malignancies and solid tumours. Liver diseases (acute hepatitis, cirrhosis, cancer) lead to an increase in vitamin B12 levels in serum, because the liver is no longer able to store this vitamin.
Hypervitaminosis B12

Vitamin B12: Structure and functions

Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, is an indispensable molecule with a very complex structure and an intricate pathway of absorption and cellular trafficking that requires molecular escort proteins in body fluids and intracellular chaperones.

The vitamin is a cobalt-containing coordination compound generated by intestinal microbes, and a natural water-soluble vitamin of the B-complex family that must combine with Intrinsic Factor for absorption by the intestine.

Cobalamins cannot be synthesized by higher organisms and must be supplied with the diet. In humans, the lack of dietary cobalamin, or malfunctioning of absorption or of the enzymatic catalysis may provoke neurological disorders, in addition to pernicious anaemia.

However, a highly modulated absorption ability and transport through body fluids prevents any possible shortage even after many years of no intake.

Cobalamin is an organometallic factor composed of a tetrapyrrolic corrinic ring with a cobalt atom coordinated to four equatorial nitrogen atoms.

Vitamin B12 in food is bound to protein and is released in the stomach by the acid environment and by proteolysis of binders by pepsin. The released vitamin B12 initially binds to R-binders, which are dietary proteins that have affinity for vitamin B12.

Cobalamin is necessary for hematopoiesis, neural metabolism, DNA and RNA production, and carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. B12 improves iron functions in the metabolic cycle and assists folic acid in choline synthesis.

B12 metabolism is interconnected with that of folic acid. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes pernicious anemia, megaloblastic anemia, and neurologic lesions.
Vitamin B12: Structure and functions

Folic Acid & Cobalamin

A deficiency of folate or vitamin B12 may increase the level of homocysteine, an amino normally found in the blood.

High levels of homocysteine may damage coronary arteries or make it easier for blood clotting cells called platelets to clump together and form clot.

In the absence of either vitamin B12 or folic acid, DNA synthesis is impaired and the developing red cells in the bone marrow exhibit a characteristic disturbance of cell maturation.

Folic acid is a B-group vitamin that is needed for healthy growth and development. The word of folic acid is derived from the Latin ‘folium’ mean ‘leaf’.

Folic acid is required for the formation of blood cells by bone marrow and is involved in the formation of the blood pigment hemoglobin.

It is also required for the synthesis of some amino acids. Deficiency symptoms involved pernicious anemia.

This vitamin is known as folate when it is found naturally in food, such as green leafy vegetables, and as folic acid when it is added to food, such as bread and breakfast cereals or used in dietary supplements.

Nuts, dried beans, turnips, lentils corn, and shredded wheat are good sources of this vitamin, while liver and wheat bran are excellent.

Vitamin B-12 or cobalamin is a very complex chemical compound. This vitamin is required for the normal development of red blood cells, and a deficiency in it causes acute pernicious anemia and a variety of other disorders.

Vitamin B12 is unique among vitamins in that it is synthesized in nature by bacteria. It is found in the tissues of animal which require the vitamin for critical functions in cellular division and growth.

The organs of animals are excellent sources of vitamin B-12 and the muscles of warm blooded animals and fish are good sources. Vitamin B12 is found in meat, liver and other foods in animal protein.

Folic acid supplements can correct the anemia associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, Unfortunately, folic acid will not correct changes in the nervous system that result from vitamin B12 deficiency.
Folic Acid & Cobalamin
Folic Acid & Cobalamin

Folic Acid and Cobalamin

Folic Acid and Cobalamin
Folic Acid
Folic acid is required for the formation of blood cells by the bone marrow and is involved in the formation of the blood pigment hemoglobin. It is also required for the synthesis of some amino acids. Deficiency symptoms involve pernicious anemia. Nuts, dried beans, turnips, lentils, corn and shredded wheat are good sources of this vitamin, while liver and wheat bran are excellent.

Cobalamin
B12 or cobalamin is a very complex chemical compound. This vitamin is required for the normal development of red blood cells, and a deficiency in it causes acute pernicious anemia and a variety of other disorders. The exact requirement of vitamin B12 is yet unknown, since some B12 is synthesized by bacteria in the intestine. The organs of animals are excellent sources of vitamin B12 and the muscles of warm-blooded animals and fish are good sources.
Folic Acid and Cobalamin