Understanding Vitamin B12 and Folate

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods. It is a nutrient that helps keep the body’s nerve and blood cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Vitamin B12 also helps prevent a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia that makes people tired and weak. Vitamin B12 is required for proper red blood cell formation, various neurological functions, as well as DNA synthesis. Vitamin B12 functions as a cofactor for many crucial enzymes.

Vitamin B12 is found in various animal products such as fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products. Vitamin B12 is generally not present in plant foods. Some nutritional yeast products contain B12. In food sources, Vitamin B12 is founds as cyanocobalamin, a form that the body needs to convert into the active forms of methylcobalamin and 5-deoxyadenosylcoabalamin.

Vitamin B9 (Folate)

5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) is the most biologically active form of the B-Vitamin folic acid, also known generically as folate, 5-MTHF functions, in concert with vitamin B12, as methyl-group donor involved in the conversion of the amino acid homocysteine to methionine, methyl group donation is vital to many bodily processes, including serotonin, melatonin, and DNA synthesis. Therapeutically, 5-MTHF is instrumental in reducing homocysteine level, preventing neural tube defects and improving vascular endothelial function.

Furthermore, certain neurological, cognitive, and psychiatric presentations may be secondary to folate deficiency. Such presentations include depression, peripheral neuropathy, myelopathy, restless legs syndrome, insomnia, dementia, forgetfulness, irritability, endogenous depression, organic psychosis, and schizophrenia-like syndromes. 5-MTHF supplementation may be a more favorable method of folate repletion.

Vitamin B12 along with folate (vitamin B9) is essential for the production of red blood cells and aids in the maintenance of a healthy nervous system and immune system. B12 deficiency damages the fatty tissue-myelin-which surrounds and protects nerve fibers. It damages the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and nerves of the eye. It is a crucial element in the construction of DNA.

Low levels or deficiency of Vitamin B12 and Folate have serious effects on health. This may result in negative clinical manifestations such as elevated levels of homocysteine, anemia, psychiatric disorders like depression, and cardiovascular diseases.