Vitamin b12

By: Maeve Scott Kaplan University HW499-01: Capstone in Health and Wellness 2/25/14

*Please note that this PowerPoint presentation provides an overview of this topic. If you have any questions or concerns about adding vitamin B12 to your diet, please consult your primary physician beforehand.

What are vitamins?

Vitamins are vital substances for a well-balanced diet
that aid in the function, growth, and development of cells within the body. Vitamins can either be water-soluble or fat-soluble.

Why do you need B vitamins?

To assist the process of converting food into energy To aid in the formation of red blood cells

What if you do not get enough vitamins?

Not getting enough vitamins causes a vitamin deficiency, which contributes to medical problems
supplement, 2011)
(Dietary

What is vitamin b12?

An essential, water-soluble nutrient that promotes nerve and blood cell health, as well as improves DNA production. In the stomach, hydrochloric acid separates vitamin B12 from the protein in food and combines it with a protein

(Vimacel, 2013)

Forms of Vitamin b12

Foods
1. Meat (beef liver and chicken) 2. Fish (clams and salmon) 3. Breakfast cereals 4. Dairy products (milk, eggs, and cheese)

Dietary Supplement
Cyanocobalamin tablets or lozenges
(Important Signs, 2013)

Prescription

Benefits
1. Aids in DNA production
2. Reduces the risk for pernicious anemia
- Maintains blood cell production.

3. Aids in body growth and development

4. Maintains energy levels in the body

- A diet lacking vitamin B12 contributes to fatigue.

5. Improves mental health

6. Reduces risk of heart disease

- Lowers homocysteine levels that contribute to heart conditions (FitDay, 2013).

Who needs it?

Populations at Risk:
Older adults People with pernicious anemia People with gastrointestinal issues People who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery Vegetarians/Vegans

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency:

Fatigue Weakness

Constipation
Loss of appetite Weight loss

Changes in mood
Poor memory (Dietary
supplement, 2011)

Side effects
Vitamin B12 does not have any adverse effects if used under the correct conditions.
However, vitamin B12 can interact with certain medications, such as: Chloramphenicol Proton pump inhibitors

H2 receptor antagonists
Metformin (Dietary supplement, 2011)

Recommendation
Age 0-6 months 7-12 months 1-3 years 4-8 years Dosage 0.4 mcg 0.5 mcg 0.9 mcg 1.2 mcg

These dosage levels are the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) suggested by the National Institute of Health.
Dosages are measured in micrograms (mcg).
(Dietary supplement, 2011)

9-13 years
14 + years

1.8 mcg
2.4 mcg

Pregnant women 2.6 mcg

Breast feeding women 2.8 mcg

What research shows

Scientific research provides evidence that vitamin B12 improves vitamin B12 deficiency and certain forms of anemia.
However, more scientific research is needed for the following conditions: Alzheimer s disease Cardiovascular disease Cancer Stroke Joint pain High cholesterol Diabetic neuropathy Angioplasty (Mayoclinic, 2013)

Additional research
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16895884?dopt=Ab stract
This randomized, double-blind, controlled study concludes that vitamin B12 does not improve cognitive disorders in individuals. However, it does bridge the gap in information by demonstrating that most individuals with a cognitive disorder also have a deficiency in vitamin B12. This leaves room for future research to be conducted on not the treatment of cognitive disorders, but the prevention of these conditions through adequate dosages of vitamin B12 across a lifespan (Clin, 2006).

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/926. html
The National Institute of Health provides the latest research discoveries for vitamin B12, which includes the possibly and likely effective uses of the vitamin. Also, it includes a list of areas of interest that lack efficient evidence to prove or disprove the effectiveness of vitamin B12 in certain areas of interest for future research (Medline, 2012).

Conclusion
Vitamin B12 is essential to all diets for cell and nerve function and development.
This vitamin should come from the foods consumed, but a supplement may be necessary under certain conditions. Vitamin B12 is helpful for certain medical conditions, such as anemia. More research is necessary in the benefits of vitamin B12. Vitamin deficiencies lead to health problems, but can vitamins improve pre-existing health problems?

References
Clin, A. J. (2006, August). Effect of oral vitamin b-12 with or without folic acid on cognitive function in older people with mild vitamin b-12 deficiency: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16895884?dopt=Abstract FitDay. (2013). The benefits of vitamin b12. Retrieved from http://www.fitday.com/fitnessarticles/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/the-benefits-of-vitamin-b12.html Important signs and symptoms . (2013). Retrieved from http://demo.webify.ws/blog/importantsigns-and-symptoms-of-vitamin-b-12-deficiency.html Mayoclinic staff. (2013, November 1). Vitamin b12. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/vitamin-b12/background/HRB-20060243 Medline Plus. (2012, October 20). Vitamin b12. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/926.html National Institutes of Health. (2011, June 24). Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet. Retrieved from http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/ National Institutes of Health. (2011, June 24). Fact sheet for consumers. Retrieved from http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-QuickFacts/ Vimacel (2013). Vitamin b12 dietary supplements. Retrieved from http://vimacel.com/vitamin-b12dietary-supplements/