Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is an essential micronutrient required in DNA synthesis and red blood cell maturation, among other metabolic functions. Its deficiency leads to a spectrum of disease. It is important to trace its absorption in order to understand how a person can become deficient.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, has many diverse functions in the human body. For this reason, its deficiency produces a spectrum of clinical manifestations. About 15 percent of adults above 65 years have subclinical deficiency, probably contributed to by the use of H2-receptor blockers for hyperacidity treatment, since these also reduce cobalamine levels.

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Managing Vitamin B12 Deficiency

How is Vitamin-B12 Related to Anemia?

Why is B12 Difficult to Absorb and Do Oral B12 Sprays Work?

How to Reduce Red Meat Intake Without Losing Valuable Nutrients

Latest Vitamin B12 News and Research

Experts evaluate plant-based diets for kids, urging nutritional care and supplementation

Plant-based diets for children and adolescents may offer health benefits but pose risks of nutritional deficiencies, requiring careful planning and professional oversight.

18 Nov 2024

Social isolation linked to micronutrient deficiencies in older adults

Older adults in the UK who are socially isolated are more likely to have an insufficient intake of key micronutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin B6, increasing their risk of health problems, according to a new study led by UCL (University College London) researchers.

15 Oct 2024

Can nori be a reliable vitamin B12 source for vegetarians?

A study shows that 5 g of nori per day improves vitamin B12 status in vegetarians, suggesting nori as an effective dietary source of this essential nutrient.

8 Oct 2024

How does a vegan diet in pregnancy affect mother and baby?

A systematic review explores the impact of a vegan diet on maternal and fetal outcomes, revealing mixed results on birth weight and nutrient intake, calling for further research.

2 Oct 2024

Vitamin B12 boosts testosterone levels in men with infertility

Research finds that higher serum vitamin B12 levels are associated with improved testosterone concentrations in men with infertility, but no impact on other reproductive hormones.

30 Sep 2024

New global analysis highlights micronutrient shortages

Research shows nearly 5 billion people lack essential micronutrients, with significant deficiencies in calcium, iodine, and vitamin E impacting global health.

4 Sep 2024

Global study reveals widespread micronutrient deficiencies across all age groups

More than half of the global population consumes inadequate levels of several micronutrients essential to health, including calcium, iron, and vitamins C and E, according to a new study by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, UC Santa Barbara (UCSB), and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).

29 Aug 2024

New report reveals the truth behind plant-based protein alternatives

Over the summer barbecue season, many will have opted for veggie burgers in an attempt to eat more sustainably and improve their health. But how much do we really know about the influx of plant-based meat alternatives that have appeared on supermarket shelves? And are some alternative proteins better for people and the planet than others?

27 Aug 2024

Researchers reveal why a diet rich in magnesium is so important for your health

Researchers examined whether magnesium deficiency in the healthy middle-aged Australian population was independently or in combination with increased homocysteine levels associated with in vivo DNA damage.

15 Aug 2024

Australian research links low magnesium levels to increased risk of chronic diseases

A new Australian study has identified why a diet rich in magnesium is so important for our health, reducing the risk of DNA damage and chronic degenerative disorders.

14 Aug 2024

Vegan diet may slow aging

Vegan diets showed short-term benefits on epigenetic aging compared to omnivorous diets in healthy twins, with reduced epigenetic age metrics observed in the vegan group. However, telomere length and overall mitotic clock values remained unchanged for both diets.

31 Jul 2024

Archaea: Unseen players in human microbiome and infectious diseases

Archaea, key players in the human microbiome, are linked to various diseases but their pathogenic potential remains speculative. This study highlights their role in conditions like periodontitis and gastrointestinal infections.

16 Jul 2024

Antioxidants combat high-fat diet-induced female reproductive issues, study reveals

Researchers in Italy review how antioxidants from biological matrices can protect against reproductive issues caused by high-fat diets in women.

11 Jun 2024

Pregnancy-adapted Mediterranean diet improves maternal health, study finds

A recent study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition validated the 17-item pregnancy-adapted Mediterranean diet score (preg-MEDAS) and found it improved maternal cardiometabolic health without significantly affecting neonatal outcomes.

4 Jun 2024

The nutritional value of ready-to-use meat alternatives in Belgium

Researchers compare the nutrient content of ready-to-use meat alternatives with real meat products.

31 May 2024

Diet and gut microbiota: how what you eat shapes your gut health

A systematic review published in Gut Microbes found that diet patterns, nutrients, bioactive compounds, and food additives influence gut microbiota. However, the associations were dominated by routinely analyzed nutrients rather than microbiota-relevant nutrients

13 May 2024