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Diet
& Nutrition Vitamin
B12
What
is vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 (otherwise known as
cobalamin) is manufactured by microorganisms (e.g. yeatss, bacteria,
moulds and some algae). The actual amount required by the body is very
small (measured in millionths of a gram) as it can be stored in the human
body for up to six years. The body also recycles vitamin B12 , recovering
it from bile and other secretions in the intestines.
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Function
- Essential for the
normal metabolic function of all cells
- Works with Folate to prevent
anaemia
- Helps in DNA synthesis
- Essential for healthy nervous
system
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Signs
of deficiency
- Loss of appetite
- Anaemia
- Mental confusion
- Hair loss
- Poor growth
- Fatigue
- Gross depletion will produce 'megalobastic
anaemia' and severe neuro-psychotic disorders
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Best
Non-meat sources
- Dairy products
- Fortified soya milk
- Yeast extract
- Fortified textured soya products
- Most breakfast cereals
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Notes
Destroyed
by heat. Most problems occur Not through insufficiency of dietary intake
but through improper absorbtion. To be properly assimilated, vitamin B12
needs to combine with a mucoprotein enzyme known as 'the intrinsic factor'
which is normally found in healthy intestine secretions. This enables the
vitamin to be absorbed in the small intestines througha recptor in the
membrane. If the intrinsic factor is absent, vitamin B12 will not be
absorbed into the body.
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This page was last updated on 25 October 2006 15:44:40
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