Vitamin b12 - normal vital activity of the human body

To normal life, the human body needs a variety of substances. And their number, of course, includes vitamins. The usefulness of these organic compounds is difficult to overestimate, without them no one will simply survive. And if a long time at least one vitamin is not enough, then a person develops a disease called avitaminosis. This leads to inhibition of metabolic processes, and to other numerous disorders. Our body, unfortunately, can not independently produce these useful substances (the only exception is vitamin K) and we get them from food. Also, some vitamins produce microbes that live in our body. And in general this is quite enough for the normal life of most people.

And scientists in the meantime had time to open many such useful connections. And to make it easier to understand them, all these substances were conditionally divided into certain groups. There is among them and such a group of B, which includes 11 different water-soluble (easier to digest with some amount of water) vitamins. All vitamins of this group are vital compounds that participate in all cellular processes. And this fully applies to such a substance as cobalamin or vitamin B12.

Cobalamin enters the human body in the same way as most vitamins - through food. And in the diet of most people it is present in the required quantities. The only exception is a strict vegetarian diet. After all, this substance is not contained in plant foods. Also, some people who have overcome the 50-year limit lose the ability to absorb vitamin B12 from food. Even difficulties with the absorption of cobalamin are felt by people who abuse alcohol.

And when it is not enough, then with the health of a person some problems may start. Deficiency of cobalamin leads to disruption of the formation of erythrocytes. And this, respectively, is fraught with the fact that the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases and the quality of oxygen transfer deteriorates. This condition is called anemia, and it becomes a prerequisite for a variety of diseases. In anemia, a person begins to experience weakness, drowsiness, irritability and increased fatigue. Also vitamin B12 takes part in the neutralization of several harmful chemical compounds. And if their concentration becomes too high, it can lead to damage to the nervous system, and also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. And the fact that these diseases are associated with a deficiency of vitamin B12 is fully confirmed by numerous observations and experiments.

B12 is a vitamin that is unique in its group. Only cobalamin can accumulate in large quantities in the human body, especially in its liver. But the process of assimilation of this vitamin by the body is very complicated. Digestive enzymes with sufficient amount of gastric acid separate B12 from proteins that are present in the food. Then this vitamin combines with the protein, which secrete the cells of the lining of the stomach. And then this compound enters the small intestine, where it is safely absorbed. And so for many years in our liver are created reserves of cobalamin. And from there they are already dispensed into the body as needed. This "storehouse", where "vitamin b12" is stored, is quite roomy and it will take several years to completely empty it.

And when the "stocks" of this vitamin come to an end, it must be replenished. The reason for this "shortage" can be the elderly person, as well as diseases such as Crohn's disease, ulcers and others associated with the gastrointestinal tract. Even patients who take drugs for epilepsy, gout or heartburn may also be deficient in this vitamin. Therefore, people who are at such a risk group should take vitamin B12. Instructions for use and dosage of this drug are on its packaging. But it is best to take this vitamin, after consulting with a doctor.

And b12 is manufactured in the form of capsules, tablets and lozenges. And the usual tablet contains 50-100 micrograms of this vitamin. This amount is quite enough to prevent the deficiency of cobalamin. But if a person has pernicious anemia, multiple sclerosis, tinnitus or he feels tingling and numbness in the extremities, and also for the prevention of heart disease, this dose should be increased to 1000 micrograms per day. There may be other reasons for the lack of this vitamin. And, first of all, you need to establish these reasons, and then start taking the prescribed dose of B12.