Vitamine B12

Constituents

Vitamine B12 = (cyano)cobalamine

Contains the porphyrin ring: which complexes metals such as iron (in hemoglobin) or magnesium (in chlorophyll)

Provenience

only animal: - some bacteria of herbivores produce it - is passed from herbivores to carnivores so that all products of animal origin contain it, but not plants:

Action

essential - normal functioning of the brain and nervous system - to the production of blood intervenes in - the synthesis of DNA - the regulation of DNA - the synthesis of fatty acids - in the production of energy.

Estimated average needs

adult: 2.5-6 µg / d

Deficiency

Possible in strictly vegetarian diet without supplements: - anemia (called pernicious) - sclerosis of the spinal cord - thromboses