The full functioning of the nervous system, as well as healthy hematopoiesis, depends on the cyanocobalamin a person receives from food. This substance, also called vitamin B12, performs a number of functions that affect the functioning of the entire body. It is known that deficiency of this substance is most often and most severely manifested in older people, but it can be observed at any age. Let's look at the reasons why deficiency develops and what role vitamin B12 plays for women.
The role of B vitamins for the body and immunity
This group of vitamins has a lot of common properties, which made it possible to combine them into one. The most important point is their water solubility. This allows vitamins not to accumulate in the body, but to be constantly washed out of the circulatory system by the ingested liquid.
One product can contain a whole list of B vitamins. Therefore, in the complex treatment of deficiencies, doctors give a whole list of elements that must be consumed. B vitamins are beneficial for the body in the following ways:
- normalize the functioning of the nervous system;
- improve the functions of the cardiovascular system;
- have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the intestinal tract;
- improve skin tone and elasticity;
- reduce the risk of stressful situations, stress on the body, help cope with depression and emotional stress;
- help in cell reproduction, strengthen muscle tone and improve energy metabolism;
- help strengthen the immune system and increase the body's resistance to various diseases.
Thanks to the complex intake of B vitamins in the body, the level of cholesterol in the blood is reduced, the processing of products in the digestive tract is accelerated, beneficial substances are better synthesized, and the process of metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is accelerated. Wounds, abrasions and bruises from injuries heal faster. At the same time, the level of pain is noticeably dulled.
The condition of the skin improves, the complexion evens out, and eczema goes away. The body's protective properties increase, which leads to increased production of hemoglobin, which is involved in the process of restoration of red blood cells that generate the production of antibodies.
Preparation for the procedure
- It is recommended to donate blood in the morning from 8 to 11 o’clock, on an empty stomach (at least 8 hours of fasting), you can drink water as usual.
- Agree with the doctor who ordered the test on the list of medications you are taking that may affect the test result.
- Avoid drinking alcohol on the eve of the test and do not smoke for 1 hour before the test.
- Avoid physical and emotional stress the day before the test.
- It is not advisable to donate blood for laboratory testing soon after physiotherapeutic procedures, instrumental examination and other medical interventions.
- When monitoring laboratory parameters over time, it is recommended to conduct repeated studies under the same conditions: in the same laboratory (using the same method) and at approximately the same time of day.
Essential B vitamins
Each individual vitamin from the general group was highlighted in a separate line. It was given a number, a name, and a number of beneficial properties for the human body.
B1 (thiamine or aneurin)
Thanks to it, the functioning of the nervous system is restored and cerebral circulation improves. With regular intake of thiamine into the body, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine begins to be produced, which affects the tone of the muscles of internal organs, including the heart.
B1 is involved in most energy exchange processes: protein and lipid metabolism, as well as the absorption of amino acids. During the process of cell division, the vitamin helps in the transfer of genetic information. If the daily norm of this vitamin is observed, a person has an excellent appetite, gains muscle mass and increases the strength of the skeletal system.
B2 (riboflavin or lactoflavin)
Taken to improve the condition of hair, nails, and digestive tract. Supports the functioning of the thyroid gland and participates in the formation of the epidermis. Protects eyes and skin from the aggressive effects of ultraviolet radiation. Improves the production of antibodies and red blood cells, restores the reproductive function of the body.
The general condition improves, drowsiness, migraine, irritability and apathy disappear. The vitamin prevents poor blood clotting, improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which leads to minimizing the risk of gastritis, ulcers, anemia and liver diseases.
B3 (vitamin PP, nicotinic acid or niacin)
Participates in cell synthesis, supports the functioning of the brain and central nervous system. Indispensable for digestion, as it stimulates the production of gastric juice and is involved in the breakdown of food into proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
B4 (choline)
Prevents liver disease by removing toxins and poisons from the organ. Helps prevent gallstone disease. It is especially useful for a growing body and for the body of a pregnant woman. Normalizes the tone of the heart muscle.
B5 (pantothenic acid)
Prevents early baldness and gray hair, restores skin tone, helps prevent splitting of the nail plate and dull hair. Fights premature aging and improves immunity.
B6 (pyridoxine or pyrivitol)
Restores painless menstruation in women, helps to endure pregnancy, as it prevents the risk of miscarriage in the first trimesters. B6 should be taken by people suffering from conjunctivitis, acne, anemia, at risk of myocardial infarction and high blood pressure.
B7 (biotin)
Participates in metabolism, lowers blood sugar levels and prevents muscle spasms. Improves the functioning of the nervous system and perfectly replenishes the deficiency of nutrients that are needed for healthy nails, hair and skin.
B8 (inositol or inositol)
Affects concentration and improves brain activity. Relieves symptoms of mental disorders and panic attacks, prevents insomnia. Helps to conceive a baby for those who have been unable to do so for a long time.
B9 (folic acid)
The main function is protection and gestation of the fetus. B9 is involved in the division of all types of cells and DNA genes in our body, promotes their growth and normal functioning.
B10 (para-aminobenzoic acid)
Prevents the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin, promotes an even tan, maintains skin tone and slows down the aging process.
B11 (levocarnitine)
Prevents the development of anemia and hemophilia. Useful for increasing mental, emotional and physical stress. Helps prevent stress and apathy. Useful when playing sports to reduce injuries.
B12 (cobalamin)
Prevents the development of anemia, normalizes blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the blood. Saturates cells with oxygen and improves the functioning of the immune system.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12
- is a water-soluble vitamin that belongs to group B. Another name is cobalamins. Cobalamins represent a whole group of vitamins that take part in the metabolism of every cell, influencing the synthesis and regulation of DNA. Vitamin B can only be synthesized by bacteria and archaea (single-celled microorganisms), which have the unique enzymes necessary for its synthesis. The best food sources of vitamin B12 are animal products because they contain bacterial symbiosis.
Forms of Vitamin B12
What is commonly mistaken for vitamin B12 is cyanocobalamin. This form is found in almost most vitamin products. Cyanocobalamin is completely synthetic and does not occur in nature, but is widely used due to its low price and ease of production. When cyanocobalamin enters the body, it must be converted into active forms. The conversion releases toxic cyanide. Although toxic, the amount is negligible to have clear negative effects and therefore should not be considered a clear side effect.
Another problem with cyanocobalamin occurs when it is absorbed. In order for cyanocobalamin to be used by the body, it must go through a process that removes the cyanide molecule, which requires the antioxidant glutathione. The disadvantage of the deacyanation reaction is the unnecessary use of this valuable antioxidant, as well as the dependence of vitamin B12 metabolism on the availability of glutathione.
Unlike cyanocobalamin, two coenzyme forms of vitamin B12 - methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin - are biologically active. They take an active part in metabolic and enzymatic reactions.
Methylcobalamin is pre-methylated, which means it is ready to be absorbed by the body. Methylcobalamin is localized in the cell cytoplasm and is a cofactor in methylation reactions. Adenosylcobalamin is important in the oxidation of fatty acids and the main point of its action is the mitochondria of cells.
Metabolism and absorption of vitamin B 12
in the gastrointestinal tract
Vitamin B12 is bound to food protein and becomes available for absorption once released. The process of vitamin elimination occurs under the influence of hydrochloric acid produced by the gastric mucosa. The released cobalamin binds to the R protein and passes into the duodenum, after which the R protein is removed and the free cobalamin binds to intrinsic factor. Intrinsic Castle factor is formed in the glands of the fundus and body of the stomach; it helps convert B12 into an easily digestible form. Vitamin B12-Castle Factor Complex - Absorbed by the distal ileum and the vitamin enters the bloodstream.
Whey vitamin B12 is bound to transport proteins known as transcobalamins. Most of the vitamin, approximately 80%, is bound to an inactive protein called haptocorin. The active transport protein for vitamin B12 is transcobalamin II, which retains 20% of the vitamin in the bloodstream. Holotranscobalamin delivers vitamin B12 to all cells. Low serum vitamin B12 concentrations may be due to transport protein deficiency, while transcobalamin levels and vitamin B12 status remain normal.
Vitamin B deficiency problem12
The main problem with vitamin B12 is that it is difficult to absorb. Nutritional deficiency of vitamin B12 occurs in groups of people who eat only plant foods, minimizing animal products in their diet. Deficiency due to insufficient absorption of vitamin B12 or increased requirements against the background of normal absorption is also common.
A potential risk group includes pregnant women on a vegetarian, vegan or raw food diet.
Elderly people are also a risk group. They are at greater risk of malnutrition due to comorbidities, have difficulty with self-care and food preparation, and tend to suffer from some degree of atrophic gastritis. Inflammatory processes in the gastric mucosa tend to increase in frequency with age, which leads to a decrease in the production of hydrochloric acid, one of the factors in the absorption of vitamin B12.
Castle factor deficiency -
one of the typical causes of vitamin B12 deficiency. The presence of autoantibodies to Castle factor is the leading cause of pernicious anemia against the background of autoimmune gastritis. Resection of the gastric antrum is also accompanied by a deficiency of vitamin B12.
The absorption of vitamin B12 can be impaired in any inflammatory bowel disease. For example, Crohn's disease, parasitic infestations, bacterial overgrowth syndrome - just a small list of the possible list of ailments.
Consequences of deficiency states
Typical manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency. Disruption of the hematopoietic process with the development of megaloblastic anemia, as well as neurological disorders.
Long-term and chronic deficiency of vitamin B12 is considered as one of the factors in a number of other global medical problems.
The active form of vitamin B12 is directly involved in the metabolism of homocysteine, an independent factor in the development of cardiovascular pathology. By converting homocysteine into methionine, it enhances the synthesis of SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine), the most important donor of methyl groups in the body.
Assessing vitamin B12 status is part of the dementia screening process. Elevated concentrations of methylmalonic acid (MMA) are associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. In older adults, low vitamin B12 levels and high serum folate concentrations are associated with increased odds of cognitive impairment. On the contrary, in patients with normal vitamin B12 status, high serum folic acid levels have a protective effect on memory, attention, perception, intelligence, etc.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and the risk of frailty, which are the leading causes of disability in older people. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in older adults. An increased risk of frailty and disability is associated with poor vitamin B12 status.
Low levels of vitamin B12 are considered a potential risk factor for neural tube defects. Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor for methionine synthase in the folic acid cycle. When vitamin B12 supply is low, folate remains trapped in the methylation cycle, causing cell replication to fail.
A deficiency of vitamin B 12
can be suspected by such nonspecific symptoms as:
- forgetfulness;
- dizziness;
- pale skin;
- weakness and fatigue;
- tingling in the tips of the fingers and toes.
Laboratory tests can diagnose and confirm deficiency and insufficiency of vitamin B12.
Determination of vitamin B12 deficiency
Traditionally, vitamin B12 status is assessed by serum concentrations, but serum levels alone may not detect subclinical vitamin B12 deficiency or insufficiency.
Methylmalonic acid and homocysteine are recognized indicators of vitamin B12 status. Their measurement is of paramount importance in identifying vitamin B12 deficiency.
MMA is considered a specific indicator of cobalamin metabolism and reflects the availability of adenosylcobalamin in the cell. Homocysteine increases with vitamin B12 deficiency along with a lack of folate and vitamin B. It is the lack of such a coenzyme form as methylcobalamin that provokes an increase in homocysteine levels.
Plasma concentrations of MMA also increase with renal failure, polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), or with the use of certain drugs. Plasma MMA concentrations are elevated in renal failure, which is common in the elderly, so this marker is not appropriate for use in this group of patients.
The use of holotranscobalamin as a marker of vitamin B12 status increases the predictive value of identifying subclinical deficiency states. The level of holotranscobalamin reflects the availability of vitamin B12 to all cells of the body, and its determination is desirable when assessing the status of the vitamin in the body.
Conclusion
Vitamin B12 is a particularly important vitamin for women of childbearing age and older adults, but adequate vitamin B12 status throughout life is necessary for optimal health.
Indications for use
Understanding cyanocobalamin what it is, it is used in the complex treatment of various diseases in order to enhance the effects of basic drugs. This allows you to overcome dangerous diseases in the shortest possible time. As a monotherapy, the drug is usually prescribed to prevent anemia.
Vitamin B12 injections are indicated for complex therapy of various liver diseases. Thanks to them, it is possible to achieve good results in the treatment of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc. Injections can improve the condition of patients with Down syndrome. The drug is always included in the complex treatment of diseases of the nervous system and skin diseases.
Vitamin b12 in ampoules is often taken for preventive purposes. It is important when prescribed in high doses
- Biguanides for diabetes mellitus.
- Para-aminosalicylic acid for tuberculosis.
Vitamin B12 in ampoules is prescribed to prevent the occurrence of its deficiency in pathologies of the stomach and intestines, when the absorption of cyanocobalamin is impaired. Most often the need for this arises in the following cases:
- After resection of part of the stomach or small intestine.
- With the development of Crohn's disease, in which lesions appear on the walls of the intestine.
- For malignant neoplasms of the pancreas and intestines.
- With radiation sickness.
Vitamin B12 in ampoules, the price of which is available in a pharmacy, should be taken for vitamin deficiency. It will help strengthen the body's defenses against frequent colds. Since a deficiency of the substance in the body affects the condition of hair, nails and teeth, cyanocobalamin is prescribed for cosmetic purposes.
Instructions for use
The drug Milgamma is prescribed to patients experiencing a deficiency of B vitamins, which leads to neurological diseases:
- neuritis;
- neuralgia;
- polyneuropathy - diabetic, alcoholic, etc.;
- myalgia;
- radicular syndromes;
- retrobulbar neuritis;
- herpes zoster;
- facial nerve paresis.
The range of indications for the use of this medicine is quite wide. In addition to the treatment of osteochondrosis, Milgamma is also successfully used in the treatment of diseases such as vegetative-vascular dystonia, as well as a number of diseases of internal organs associated with a lack of B vitamins. Depending on the phase of the patient’s disease (acute pain syndrome or mild pain), the doctor prescribes either vitamins in Milgamma tablets or Milgamma injections (injections).
In cases of severe pain, treatment begins with 1 injection (2 ml) per day. After the acute phase of the process or in case of mild pain syndrome, the drug is administered intramuscularly, 1 injection 2-3 times a week.
Under the supervision of a physician, a subsequent transition to treatment with the oral form of Milgamma® is possible. In this case, it is recommended to take one Milgamma® tablet 3 times a day.
The use of injections is more effective in the presence of systemic diseases, while tablets are recommended by doctors for maintenance therapy and for preventive purposes.
Reviews from patients and doctors about Milgamma
By analyzing the totality of the complex of vitamins that make up Milgamma, you can understand the benefits this drug brings to the human body. It is the B vitamins that have a positive effect on the overall strengthening of the immune system and have a powerful therapeutic effect in the treatment of diseases of the central nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Thanks to the use of Milgamma, specialists achieve quick relief from acute pain; the treatment brings a long-term positive effect. In addition, experts recommend taking Milgamma vitamins for various diseases of internal organs, since this replenishes the elements and nutrients that a weakened body lacks.
Side effects
Milgamma has a beneficial effect on the body, saturating it with essential elements and vitamins. But we must not forget that this is a medical drug and should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor. Before taking a course of taking the drug (whether it be tablets or injections), the doctor must make sure that the patient does not have an individual intolerance to one of the components of the drug
Side effects from taking Milgamma can be in the form of allergic reactions - rash, itching, as well as increased sweating, dizziness, arrhythmia or convulsions. All these phenomena can occur with sudden administration of the drug or if the dosage is not observed.
