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Primer on Vitamin B12
8/19/2004 - Vitamin B12 is a member of vitamin B complex family. It's big job is in the formation of red blood cells and the maintenance of a healthy nervous system.
Vitamin B12 contains cobalt, and so is also known as cobalamin. It is bound to the protein in food. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach releases B12 from protein during digestion. Once released, B12 combines with a substance called intrinsic factor (IF) before it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Vitamin B12's big job is in the formation of red blood cells and the maintenance of a healthy nervous system. B12 is necessary for the rapid synthesis of DNA during cell division. This is especially important in tissues where cells are dividing rapidly, particularly the bone marrow tissues responsible for red blood cell formation. If B12 deficiency occurs, DNA production is disrupted and abnormal cells called megaloblasts occur. This results in anaemia.
It is exclusively synthesized by bacteria and is found primarily in meat, eggs and dairy products. There has been considerable research into proposed plant sources of vitamin B12. Fermented soya products, seaweed, and algae such as spirulina have all been suggested as containing significant B12. However, the present consensus is that any B12 present in plant foods is likely to be unavailable to humans and so these foods should not be relied upon as safe sources.
Vitamin is important to athletes and those in training as it affects the production of red blood cells and deficiency can result in impaired oxygen utilization and thus impair performance.
B12 is also important in maintaining the nervous system. Nerves are surrounded by an insulating fatty sheath comprised of a complex protein called myelin. B12 plays a vital role in the metabolism of fatty acids essential for the maintenance of myelin. Prolonged B12 deficiency can lead to nerve degeneration and irreversible neurological damage.
Athletes need high doses of the B vitamins, and its formulation MVM has more than most preparations, containing 100 mg of B3 and 50 mg of the rest. The most expensive B vitamin in any product is vitamin B12. MVM has almost nine times as much Vitamin B12 as most preparations. The cheapest form of vitamin B12 is called cyanacobalamin, a synthetic form of B12. Cyanacobalamin is changed into the body to the active form of cobalamin in a reaction that strips off the cyanide molecule. MVM contains 500 mg of the more expensive (about 10 time the price of cyanacobalamin) metabolically active methycobalamin.
Dr. Di Pasquale is a licensed physician in Ontario, Canada, focusing on Nutrition and Sports Medicine, as well as a world class athlete for over twenty years... [more]
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Dr. Di Pasquale is a licensed physician in Ontario, Canada, focusing on Nutrition and Sports Medicine, as well as a world class athlete for over twenty years... 
Get the FREE abridged editions of the Anabolic Solution eBooks for Powerlifters and for Bodybuilders. A natural and effective alternative to the use of powerful, and dangerous, body shaping drugs and surgery. The Anabolic Solution is The Anabolic Steroid Alternative. 
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