VITAMIN B12 (Cyanocobalamin)

cobalamin or cyanocobalamin (the ''red'' vitamin)
although many doctors, nutritionists, and books will say that B12 is only found in animal products this is false because it naturally occurs in a type of blue-green algae called Spirulina
you require only a few micrograms each day
blood contains only about 5 nanograms (billionths of a gram) per liter, which represents less than one part per trillion of bodyweight
if you lack that miniscule amount it leads to pernicious anemia, which gradually destroys the myelin sheath of the nerves, leading to blindness, insanity, and death
5,6-dimethylbenzimidazolyl cobamide is a coenzyme and the form of B12 that the body uses
the dibencoside form of the vitamin is an expensive form of the vitamin, but the body efficiently converts 5,6-methylbenzidazolyl cobamide to dibencoside in the body, so there is no need to take the expensive form

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forms part of the coenzymes essential for all cells, particularily rapid turnover cells, the lining of the digestive tract, and bone marrow cells
guarded preciously by the body, B12 is called upon to do it's work and then reabsorbed
has a role in treating pernicious anemia
versatile vitamin that serves as an ''ingredient'' used to manufacture blood and other body cells, as well as covering nerve fibers, helping to metabolize carbohydrates and fats
improves memory, ability to reason and concentrate, dispels mental disturbances, prevents mental deterioration, and makes you feel younger
may help one recover faster from viral and/or bacterial diseases
promotes growth in children and is involved in many vital metabolic and enzymatic processes
essential for production and regeneration of RBCs

RDA is only 2 mcg.
average intake in America is 8 mcg./day for men and 5 mcg. for women
3 mcg./day is sufficient to offset B12 deficiency
B12 is absorbed principally in the stomach with the aid of what is called the intrinsic factor
without the intrinsic factor the body is unable to absorb B12 and this can lead to pernicious anemia
heavy use of alcohol can have serious effects on B12 nutrition
Alzheimer's disease may be caused by B12 deficiency
deficiency of B12 may lower blood level of protein necessary for bone formation
deficiency is associated with an impaired ability to produce phagocytes to kill the tubercle bacillus (TB), HIV infection, and depression
symptoms: poor appetite and growth in children, chronic fatigue, sore mouth, feeling of numbness or stiffness, loss of mental energy, difficulty in concentrating, and osteoporosis

even at 10,000 times the RDA it appears non-toxic
vitamin B12 does not interfere with the action of any drugs but many drugs interfere with B12 nutrition: anticonvulsants, antituberculosis, cholesterol-lowering, anticancer, and antigout drugs to name a few.
B12 can also mask the signs of folate deficiency at higher doses (10mcg. or more)
B6 must be present in adequate amounts for the body to absorb B12

nutritional yeast, milk, eggs, aged cheese, fortified brewer's yeast, sunflower seeds, comfrey leaves, kelp, bananas, peanuts, concord grapes, raw wheat germ, pollen