Cobalamin also called as Vitamin B12 or the “Red Vitamin”, is a water-soluble vitamin. However, unlike other water-soluble vitamins, B12 has a unique property and can be stored in our body. Interestingly, it is the last vitamin to be identified.
Know Your Nutrient:
- Vitamin B12 is crucial for the production of red blood cells, and the functioning of all the cells.
- It is required for the production of nucleic acids (RNA & DNA).
- It is needed for the breakdown of the amino acid homocysteine.
- Vitamin B12 has shown to improve memory, concentration and balance.
- It is also essential for the proper functioning of the central nervous system.
Vitamin B12 cannot be assimilated well in the body and hence has to be combined with calcium for its optimum benefit.
Deficiency of Vitamin B12 leads to Megaloblastic Anaemia with symptoms of weakness, tiredness, numbness, tingling and burning sensation of the feet.
Cobalamin Friendly Foods:
Vitamin B12 is synthesized by bacteria, but the vitamin produced from the microflora in the colon is not absorbed. However, this vitamin is found only in the tissue of animal foods.
The richest sources are red meat, liver, kidney, fish, shellfish, eggs, dairy products, cheese, muscle meats, and yeast extracts. Vegans or vegetarians are most prone to B12 deficiency and hence B12 supplementation becomes essential.
Read our blogs on:
