Definition
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is a water-soluble vitamin that is important for red blood cell formation, cell metabolism, nerve function, and DNA production.
The body can store vitamin B12 for many years, so vitamin B12 deficiency is rare.
Uses
Vitamin B12 plays an essential role in many body processes:
- Supports brain and nervous system function
- Improves cognitive function
- Involved in red blood cell formation and prevents anemia
- Plays an important role in DNA formation and regulation
- Prevents birth defects
- Protects the eyes from macular degeneration
- Necessary for energy production.
Vitamin B12 is essential for blood health. A B12 deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anemia, a type of anemia caused by a lack of vitamin B12 or folate, which causes a decrease in red blood cell production, which interferes with the body’s ability to deliver oxygen.
Requirements
Vitamin B12 needs vary with age, diet, health, and medications. Here are the average amounts of vitamin B12 recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC):
- Infants up to 6 months: 0.4 mcg
- Infants 7-12 months: 0.5 mcg
- Children 1-3 years: 0.9 mcg
- Children 4-8 years: 1.2 mcg
- Children 9-13 years: 1.8 mcg
- Teens 14-18 years: 2.4 mcg (2.6 mcg if pregnant, 2.8 mcg if breastfeeding)
- Adults: 2.4 mcg (2.6 mcg if pregnant, 2.8 mcg if breastfeeding) breastfeed
Supplementation method
Through diet
Supplementing vitamin B12 through diet is a natural and easy method. With this method, you only need to consume red meat, poultry, animal organs, fish (such as salmon, tuna, mackerel), mollusks, egg yolks and dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)… in your daily meals.
By mouth (tablets)
Vitamin B12 supplements have the advantage of being easy to use, convenient, and absorbed faster than food, with many dosage forms such as tablets, capsules and lozenges. However, absorption efficiency may vary depending on each person and product, it is best to consult a doctor before use.
Intravenous (Vitamin B12 IV)
If you have pernicious anemia, do not eat animal foods, or have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 through the digestive tract, you will need to start with an IV injection/infusion of vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 supplementation by IV has the advantage of being absorbed quickly and directly into the bloodstream. However, this method must be performed in a medical facility under the supervision of medical staff.
Side effects
When used in the correct dose, vitamin B12 is generally safe. However, high doses of vitamin B12 can cause symptoms such as:
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tiredness or weakness
- Tingling in the hands and feet
Interactions (if any)
Possible interactions include:
- Aminosalicylic acid (Paser): This digestive medicine can reduce the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12.
- Colchicine: An anti-inflammatory drug used to treat gout can affect the absorption of vitamin B12.
- Metformin: This diabetes medicine can reduce the absorption of vitamin B12.
- Proton pump inhibitors: Stomach acid-reducing drugs such as omeprazole, lansoprazole can reduce the absorption of vitamin B12.
- Vitamin C supplements: Taking vitamin B12 with it can reduce the amount of B12 in the body. To avoid interactions, take vitamin C at least two hours after taking vitamin B12.
Your doctor may adjust your medication or the timing of your doses to avoid these interactions.
Join the Club
Like this story? You’ll love our monthly newsletter.
Thank you for subscribing to the newsletter.
Oops. Something went wrong. Please try again later.
