Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin)

About Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 comes as methylcobalamine and cyanocobalamine in tablet form and in food or herbal combinations.

Signs of Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Deficiency: 

• Abnormal gait
• Chronic fatigue
• Constipation
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Digestive disorders
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Enlargement of the liver
• Eye disorders
• Hallucinations
• Headaches
• Impaired mental function
• Impaired nerve function (can cause numbness, pins-and needle sensations, or a burning feeling)
• Inflammation of the tongue
• Irritability
• Labored breathing
• Memory loss
• Moodiness
• Nervousness
• Neurological damage
• Palpitations
• Pernicious anemia
• Spinal cord degeneration
• Tinnitus

Health Concerns –What Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Is Used For:

• Asthma
• Diabetic Neuropathy
• Low sperm counts
• Multiple sclerosis
• Sinusitis
• Sulfite sensitivity 

What Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Does:

• Aids folic acid in regulating the formation of red blood cells
• Aids in cell formation and cellular longevity
• Aids synthesis of protein
• Assists Homocysteine metabolism
• Assists proper energy metabolism
• Assists proper immune function
• Helps in the utilization of iron
• Helps metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
• Improves learning and concentration
• Improves mental function in Alzheimer’s patients
• Increases energy
• Needed for maintenance of the nervous system
• Promotes healthy growth in children
• Promotes normal growth and development by maintaining the fatty sheaths that cover and protect nerve endings
• Required for proper digestion and absorption of foods
• Useful in treatment of Aids  

FOOD SOURCES of Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin):

• Beef
• Cheese
• Clams
• Dulse
• Eggs
• Fish
• Herring
• Kelp
• Kidney
• Kombu
• Lamb
• Liver (lamb, beef, and chicken)
• Meat
• Milk and dairy products
• Nori
• Oysters
• Pork
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Seafood
• Soybeans and soy products
• Trout
• Tuna
• Whey, dried
• Yeast

Herb Sources of Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin):

• Alfalfa
• Bladderwrack
• Hops

Other Sources of Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) – Brand Names:

The injectable form works best, especially those that are trying to make better red blood cells. Often you can get a prescription from your medical doctor if you think you can give injections to yourself, but most likely you will have to go into the doctors office for the injection. They often include this particular vitamin as a separate injection when getting intravenous chelation treatments. The dose is 1- 1.5 ml 1-4x/month as needed.

Cautions & Comments about Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

• Although not considered to be toxic, it is recommended that you do not take more than 200 mg daily unless you are under the supervision of a registered practitioner
• Best taken as part of a B-complex supplement
• Anti-gout medication, anticoagulant drugs, diabetes drugs (metformin) and potassium supplements may block  absorption of B-12 from the digestive tract
• Vegetarians need supplements of vitamin B-12 because it is found mostly in animal sources