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How does it work?
Vitamin B 12 has the largest and most complex chemical structure of all the vitamins and its absorption happens in two steps. Hydrochloric acid is present within the stomach and its primary role is to sterilize consumed food and prevent harmful bacteria from entering the gastrointestinal tract. It also triggers the release of enzymes such as pepsin, which are essential for the digestion of proteins.
When Vitamin B12 is digested it is bound to protein. First, the hydrochloric acid in the stomach triggers the release of pepsin. This will digest any protein consumed and separate the vitamin B12 during the digestion process. Once released, Vitamin B12 will then bind to a protein made by the stomach called Intrinsic factor.
Intrinsic factor must be present in the intestinal tract in a significant quantity to enable the absorption of Vitamin B12. It is secreted by the stomach and is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the ileum of the small intestine.
When supplementing with Vitamin B12 the absorption process is a little different. Each BioPharm-X capsule contains a synthetic form of vitamin B12 – cyanocobalamin. (This is also added to baby milk powder, breakfast cereals and energy drinks). During the digestion process, cyanocobalamin is then converted into an active form of vitamin B12 – methylcobalamin.
Methylcobalamin is the primary form of vitamin B12 used by the body and is required for the function of the folate-dependent enzyme – methionine synthase. This enzyme is essential for the synthesis of the amino acid – methionine which is required for the synthesis of adenosylmethionine (SAMe). An all round methyl donor used for over 100 essential biological reactions in the body.
In addition to producing methionine synthase, B12 is required to make another key enzyme, call L-methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, which is required to make hemoglobin, the complex protein that carries oxygen to every cell in your body.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
A vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the leading nutrient deficiencies in the world [23][2] with the majority of adults struggling to obtain and maintain sufficient vitamin B12 levels. Our bodies cannot produce Vitamin B12 and we typically rely on our diet to meet our requirements. This is problematic for numerous reasons.
You cannot get Vitamin B-12 from fruit, vegetables or grains. The only natural dietary source of Vitamin B-12 is from animal derived products where it is bound to protein. So an almost certain deficiency will occur within those who cannot consume animal based food products (such as vegetarians and vegans, and those who are malnourished).
Vitamin B12 deficiencies will still develop in those that eat meat, with a deficiency becoming more common as we age. The acids and enzymes that are required to convert vitamin B12 from a dietary source become low, which is often due to weakening of the stomach lining or to medications that reduce stomach acid.
The most common causes of a vitamin B12 deficiency is decreased absorption due to health implications. Pernicious anemia is a rare condition which prevents a person from creating intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12. As a result they will experience great difficult absorbing vitamin B12 from all foods and dietary supplements. Untreated, this could lead to severe symptoms and neurological disorders.
Vitamin B12 absorption can be affected by non-immune disorders of the stomach or small intestine such as crohns disease, celiac disease and bariatric surgery. All will interfere with vitamin B12 absorption and cause a deficiency.
There are other risk factors for a deficiency including long-term use of metformin, a medicine that is used to treat type 2 diabetes and certain medications that are used to treat reflux and heartburn can all have an impact on Vitamin B12 levels.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B-12 is vital for making red blood cells and maintaining proper function of nerve cells. A shortage in Vitamin B12 can result in irreversible and potentially severe damage, especially to the nervous system and brain. Symptoms of a deficiency can be subtle at first but even slightly lower than normal levels can trigger:
- Overall lack of energy
- Extreme fatigue
- Muscle aches and weakness
- Unusual mood changes
- Difficulty remembering things or concentrating
- Tingling or numbness in feet or hands
- Red inflamed, cracked tongue
- Heart palpitation
Because of Vitamin B12’s crucial role in numerous bodily functions and metabolic processes, maintaining sufficient Vitamin B12 levels is essential to avoid serious health implications such as:
Anaemia occurs when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin. Vitamin B12 is responsible for the production of both red blood cells and haemoglobin, with anaemia being heavily linked to a vitamin B12 deficiency. [18]
Neuropathy is a result of damage to peripheral nerves which can cause a variety of symptoms, including numbness, weakness, poor balance and pain in your hands and feet. In severe cases vitamin B12 injections are given by healthcare professionals to alleviate symptoms. [5][6]
Osteoporosis Studies have found that those who have osteoporosis have low levels of Vitamin B12 and high levels of homocysteine. Pernicious anemia has also been recently recognised as a risk factor for osteoporosis and fractures [21].
Adrenal Fatigue a vitamin B12 deficiency has been linked to adrenal cortex stress [19]. Vitamin B12 improves metabolic pathways; this will boost energy levels and significantly reduce the fatigue felt during adrenal fatigue syndrome.
Heart Disease vitamin B12 removes homocysteine from the blood, which damages arteries leading to inflammation and heart disease. Low levels of Vitamin B12 have been also linked to traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors! [20][23]
Cognitive disorders a vitamin B12 deficiency will impair the formation of neurotransmitters. This can cause depression or psychosis. In the long term this can cause an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease [11][14][16][18]
Vitamin deficiencies usually develop over several months. Vitamin deficiency symptoms may be subtle at first, but they will increase as the deficiency worsens.
