Cobalamin
Cobalamin or vitamin B12 is a chemical compound that is also known as cyanocobalamine. It is needed for nerve cells and red blood cells, and to make DNA. It is an organometallic compound with a trivalent cobalt ion bound inside a corrin ring. Its chemical structure was determined by Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin.
Deprivation
Vitamin B12 is mostly absorbed in the terminal ileum. The production of intrinsic factor in the stomach is vital to absorption of this vitamin. Megaloblastic anemia can result from inadequate intake of vitamin B12, inadequate production of intrinsic factor (pernicious anemia), disorders of the terminal ileum resulting in malabsorption, or by competition for available B12 (such as fish tapeworms or bacteria present in the blind loop syndrome). Neurological signs of B12 deficiency, which can occur without accompanying hematologic abnormalities, include demyelination and irreversible nerve cell death. Symptoms include numbness or tingling of the extremities and an ataxic gait.
The American Psychiatric Association's American Journal of Psychiatry has published studies showing a relationship between depression levels and deficient vitamin B12 blood levels in elderly people in 2000 [1] and 2002 [1].
Sources
In nature, B12 is solely produced by bacteria found in animals (including humans), so that dirt could actually be considered a natural source of B12. While vegetarians usually get enough B12 through dairy products or eggs, it can sometimes be lacking in those following vegan diet who do not make an effort to find B12 enriched foodstuffs, like enriched cereals, soya based products or yeast extract. There are also foods naturally rich in B12 such as spirulina, an algae, or nori, a seaweed, but research suggests that it is not possible for the human body to utilize the vitamin B12 contained in these foods.
Other uses
Vitamin B12 is a popular substance for use in diluting (or cutting) methamphetamine.
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