Nutrition and Information Guide: Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin

About vitamin B12 or cobalamin, nutritional information guide, uses, effects of deficiency, good sources of vitamin B12 or cobalamin.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Use in the Body: Essential for normal functioning of all body cells, especially those of the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and nervous tissue. Necessary for formation of red blood cells.

Deficiency May Lead to: Pernicious anemia. This is rare except in vegetarians who don't eat dairy products.

Notes: Primarily found in the liver. Some formation occurs in the natural bacteria within the intestine. The only vitamin which contains cobalt.

Best Sources: Meats, fish, milk and milk products, eggs, soybeans.