Vitamin B12 is an essential micronutrient found in fish, meat, poultry,shellfish, liver, eggs & dairy products. Our product cannot produce Vitamin B12 itself & hence we have to obtain them from &/or supplements. Nowadays, a lot of foods such as breakfast cereals & plant based milk are fortified with Vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 is an essential cofactor that is required for our enzymes to work effectively. Enzymes that use Vitamin B12 as a cofactor are involved in key functions such as synthesis of DNA, generation of energy from fats & proteins & production of red blood cells. Therefore Vitamin B 12 is necessary to carry out normal body functions & maintain a healthy nervous & cardiovascular system.
Vitamin B-12 is a cofactor for enzyme methionine synthase. This enzyme makes amino acid-methionine which is then used to make an important molecule S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). SAM & Vitamin B12 is important for a chemical process known as methylation. This is used for various processes which includes:
- Making DNA
- Switching genes on & off
- Producing Neurotransmitters & proteins.
Our neurons are surrounded by a protective fatty layer. This layer acts in similar fashion to insulation around electrical wire. Main role of this layer is to enable transmission of electric signals through a neuron. Vitamin B 12 is required for production & protection of this layer & therefore is vital for sending signals through the nervous system. Vitamin B 12 via SAM is also involved in manufacturing of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine & noradranaline.
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor for another enzyme-L-methylmalonyl-CoA mutase which is used in making an important molecule succinyl-CoA used in various chemical reactions. This molecule plays a vital role in production of haemoglobin- the pigment in red blood cells that carries out oxygen across the body. Therefore, we need to consume & absorb enough Vitamin B 12 so as to make healthy red blood cells. People with low Vitamin B 12 levels produce underdeveloped red blood cells that are less effective in carrying oxygen around the body. This is referred to as Vitamin B 12 deficiency anaemia. This deficiency has been associated with high risk of cardiovascular diseases & certain cancers
Vitamin B 12 generally obtained from foods such as eggs, fish, poultry & dairy products. As such they are binded with proteins. The first step in Vitamin B 12 absorption is separating Vitamin B 12 from protein which is done by hydrochloric acid & protease enzymes within our stomach. Besides, our stomach produces a carrier protein which binds to Vitamin B 12 & protects it from the acidic environment of the stomach. After entering the small intestine, this carrier protein is degraded & Vitamin B 12 is released. In the second stage of absorption, cells in our stomach lining produce a specialised substance called intrinsic factor which binds with Vitamin B 12 enabling it to be absorbed into the bloodstream by the small intestine. After entering into bloodstream, Vitamin B 12 is transported to various tissues in our body by another carrier transcobalamin-2
Therefore secretion of intrinsic factor is important for effective B12 absorption. Any activity that impairs secretion of intrinsic factor &/or destruction of our cells in stomach lining can lead to low absorption of Vitamin B 12. This is generally caused by inflammation & bacterial infection.
FUT2 is a gene that encodes alpha-1,2-fucosyltransferase enzyme. This enzyme is involved in secretor status. Variant of FUT2 gene & secreter status directly impacts the absorption of Vitamin B-12. This secretor status is connected with your blood type-A,B, AB &O. These letters refer to different types of antigens( sugar) found on the surface of your red blood cells(RBC). Besides red blood cells, other cells in your body are also capable of producing these antigens(ABO). Rather than being attached to various cells, these antigens can be secreted in various body fluids. If you are secreter, these antigens can be secreted into various body fluids such as saliva & sweat.
Recommended daily allowance for Vitamin B 12 is 2.4 micrograms per day. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 through inadequate dietary intake is rare except for people who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet. In most cases, deficiency of Vitamin B 12 is caused by poor absorption of Vitamin B 12 in the gut. Although, secretor status does impact absorption of Vitamin B 12, it is highly unlikely that it will lead to Vitamin B 12 deficiency.
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