Vitamin B12 belongs to the group of water-soluble B vitamins and is also known as cobalamin. This name is derived from cobalt, because vitamin B12 is the only vitamin that contains a metal atom. Vitamin B12 must not be missing in the human diet, it must be regularly fed through the diet, as it can not be synthesized by the body independently. Mainly it is stored in the body in the liver, a smaller proportion is also found in the muscles. The presence of this vitamin is indispensable for the undisturbed course of many body processes. On the one hand, vitamin B12 makes a significant contribution to the formation of red blood cells and blood pigment. It is also responsible for cell growth and cell division. By converting the harmful amino acid homocysteine into methionine, vitamin B12 has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system and can therefore reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. In order to be able to maintain all these processes in the body, about 3 μg of vitamin B12 should be ingested per day, whereby the need for alcohol abuse, heavy smoking and during pregnancy is increased. Above all, vegans can often not meet the demand through the normal diet, as the vitamin is found almost exclusively in animal foods such as liver, herring, eggs, milk or cheese. Only vegetable foods that were bacterially fermented during production, for example sauerkraut. Sea buckthorn or a dietary supplement is suitable for people to meet their needs if they completely abstain from animal products. But even people who suffer from certain gastrointestinal diseases, have difficulty supplying enough vitamin B12. Normally, vitamins are absorbed into the body through the intestines. In the case of vitamin B12, however, this requires a certain transport protein, the so-called intrinsic factor. The vitamin can only be absorbed by the body if it is bound to this factor. However, several years can pass before a deficiency of vitamin B12 becomes noticeable. This is because the storage of this vitamin in the liver, only when the reserves are consumed symptoms can occur. These express themselves among others in anemia with accompanying paleness, tiredness, an increased susceptibility to disease or a diminished memory. An overdose with vitamin B12, however, is not possible, excess vitamin B12 is excreted by the kidneys again. Therefore, a dietary supplement is recommended not only for vegan people, but for anyone who wants to ensure a regular flow of all possible body processes.
