Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)

Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin of the B complex group. Typically humans have enough reserves of vitamin B12 to last 5 years. Vitamin B12 It is unusual in only being found in animal products.

Functions

• cofactor for the conversion of homocysteine into methionine via the enzyme homocysteine methyltransferase
• cofactor for the isomerization of methylmalonyl CoA to Succinyl Co A via the enzyme methylmalonyl mutase
• used to regenerate folic acid in the body

Causes of vitamin B12 deficiency:

• pernicious anaemia
• Diphyllobothrium latum infection
• Crohn's disease

Consequences of vitamin B12 deficiency:

• macrocytic, megaloblastic anaemia
• peripheral neuropathy