Vitamin B12
Nutrient functions and diet
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin has a few keys functions. Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin and a coenzyme for a critical methyl transfer reaction which is an essential biochemical reaction in fat and protein metabolism. Vitamin B12 not only helps with metabolism, it also helps with red blood formation, neurological functions and DNA synthesis (The Standing Committee, 1998, p.307). Unlike most B vitamins, vitamin B12 is only found in animal products. Since Vitamin B12 is bound to protein in food the richest sources come from shellfish, organ meats, some game meats and then a few types of fish (The Standing Committee, 1998, p.343). Most of our vitamin b12 consumption in the United States comes from a category of mixed foods. For example, Sandwiches that contain meat, fish or poultry as the main ingredient make up most of our vitamin B12 intake in the United States. Other categories that make up the majority of our vitamin b12 intake are milk and milk products and beef products. Since vitamin B12 only comes from animal products there is another common category of consumption, this category is known as the fortified category. Products that are fortified with vitamin B12 are fortified with the synthetic version and these products include foods like breakfast cereals (The Standing Committee, 1998, p.343)
Individuals at risk
People who are at risk for developing a vitamin B12 deficiency include people over the age of 50 because many people over the age of 50 begin to lose the ability to absorb vitamin B12 from foods due to reduced gastric acidity. Another group that is at risk of developing a deficiency is people who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet. Since vegans or vegetarians do not...
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.... Infants do not have a set of DRIs instead they go by adequate intake (AI). These recommendations are a set of B12 values that have been observed from infants who are fed primarily human milk (The Standing Committee, 1998, p.322). Recommendations for elderly were set by assuming that since 10 to 30 percent of elderly people have gastritis with low stomach acid secretion then they may have low bioavailability of B12 from food. Therefore, since the high prevalence of this condition EAR recommendations would be higher than 2.0 micrograms (The Standing Committee, 1998, p.338). There is insufficient data on both recommendations for infants and elderly people.
Some questions that may arise that would influence the DRI’s settings
Experimental articles published after 1998
The first experimental article that I found that was published after the DRI report is a study
Identify the hypothesis (testable question) that the study was trying to answer and describe the methods of research used in each study.
Brownstein, Joseph. “Some common vitamin supplements could increase death risk, study finds.” 10 October 2011. Vitals on mnsbc.com. Web. 11 January 2012. http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news
Vitamin B12 deficiency limits selenium methylation and excretion resulting in higher tissue selenium levels and subsequent toxicity. It occurs in people whose digestive systems do not adequately absorb the vitamin from the foods they eat. Vegetarians who eat eggs and milk products are the most at risk because, on average, they consume less than half the adult vitamin B12 Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) while strict vegans (who don't eat any animal products, including meat, eggs, or milk) are at an even greater risk. Vitamin B12 is important since it works with the vitamin folate to make the body’s genetic material and help keep levels of the amino acid homocysteine in check which helps to decrease heart disease risk. It is also essential in the production of red blood cells which carry oxygen through the blood to the body’s tissues. Life Extension gives offers some of selenium supplements. Babies who are born of parents with low selenium and vitamin B12 rich foods are at risk of anaemia.
Going into details of the article, I realized that the necessary information needed to evaluate the experimental procedures were not included. However, when conducting an experiment, the independent and dependent variable are to be studied before giving a final conclusion.
In the final step of evaluating conclusions, the research community makes an active conversation about what they have discovered, and they write down details about the study. Then, they publish their work in various types of journal in order to let others read and learn from them. In the Katrevich et al. (2014) study, the conclusions were published in North American Journal of Psychology. In this way, scientists can figure out a new idea to be tested or one that will change the thinking about some topics (King, 2016).
A study in the United Kingdom showed that the age-specific prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is about 5% in adults age 65-74 and 10% in adults age ≥75. Another research group reported a 24% prevalence in adults age 75-80. Studies in France show that 60%-70% of cases of vitamin B12 deficiency were related to gastric atrophy, while pernicious anemia was responsible for 15%-20% of cases.
It also says that it increases your death rate. “ The rates of death for woman taking vitamins went up: 2.4 percent for women taking multivitamins; 4.1 percent for those taking vitamin B6…” This is implying that it is the dangerous and unnecessary to take multivitamins and that it could increase your death rate by 4.1%. Once again, not necessary to take multivitamins every day. I also found one last piece to prove that it is not necessary to take multivitamins is in source three as well and it says, “ The failure of vitamins to improve health outcomes is in sharp contrast with numerous studies showing a diet high in fruit and vegetables prolongs life and enhances its quality. Even patients at genetic risk for cardiovascular disease had this risk removed when they ate raw fruit and vegetables.” This evidence also indicates that you don6 need to take multivitamins every day to be healthy person, because you could simply improve your diet with more vegetables and
A well-balanced diet contains all the necessary vitamins, and most individuals who follow such a diet can correct any previous vitamin deficiencies. However, persons who are on special diets, who are suffering from intestinal disorders that prevent normal absorption of nutrients, or who are pregnant or lactating may need particular vitamin supplements to bolster their metabolism. Beyond such real needs, vitamin supplements are also often popularly believed to offer "cures" for many diseases, from colds to cancer; but in fact the body quickly eliminates most of these preparations without absorbing them. In addition, the fat-soluble vitamins can block the effect of other vitamins and even cause severe poisoning when taken in excess.
When one hears the three words: vitamins, nutrients, and minerals, they think of one thing-being healthy and noticing what your intake is daily. Nutrition is all about vitamins and nutrients. Firstly, vitamins are an organic compound required by the body in small amounts of metabolism, to protect health, and for proper growth of children. Vitamins also assist in the formation of hormones, blood cells, nervous systems chemicals, and genetic material. There are 13 well-identified vitamins. Some examples of the 13 well-identified vitamins are: A, D, E, and K-fat contained foods, B, C-consumed immediately. A well known and commonly used in commercials for orange juice vitamin is vitamin C. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is important in the synthesis and maintenance of connective tissues. The lack of vitamin C will result in a sickness called scurvy. Scurvy harms the gums, mucous membranes, and the skin. Another well-known vitamin and is also used to commercial to give more information about this beverage is the vitamin in milk. The vitamin in milk is vitamin D. If you do not drink milk and obtain this vitamin, your bones and teeth will become soft and weak. Lacking one or more of the 13 well-identified vitamins will cause sickness and weakness to your body. Secondly, nutrients are how the body assimilates certain compounds. Nutrients are classified in 5 major groups: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. One of the five nutrients is carbohydrate. The carbohydrate group principally consists of sugar, starch, dextrin, cellulose, and glycogen. In more basic terms, carbohydrates are sugars needed by human and other living organisms. Some types of foods that contain carbohydrates would be candies, ice cream, fruit juice, soda, chocolate bars etc. Lastly, vitamins are connected to minerals. Minerals are also a very important part of a healthy person. There are 11 major groups of minerals. They are: calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, and zinc. All these terms look very familiar if one has taken chemistry. These are the elements of our world. One of the more common minerals that most people have heard of is calcium. Calcium also helps with the structure and strength of teeth and bones. Vitamins and minerals work together to help humans maintain a healthy body. For example, vitamin D works with calcium to help for and maintain the strength of teeth and bones.
Individuals who consume B vitamins don’t have to worry about overdosing because the vitamins are complex and water-soluble. This means there can be no build up in the body and is not likely to cause harm.
Nutritional deficiency can be defined as an insufficient supply of required nutrients (as vitamins and minerals) in the diet, thus this can lead to malnutrition (‘Nutritional Deficiency’ n.d.). Vegetarian diets lack of many types of nutrients such as protein, iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin D3 and vitamin B12. One of the most common nutrients that are very hard to be found in a vegetarian diet is vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is necessary for us to consume because it helps to build a normal functioning body and brain. Animal products provide enough amount of vitamin B12. According to Walton (2011), he stated that the lack of vitamin B12 can cause problems in cell functioning, dizziness, anemia, poor concentration and many more.
The purpose of the first study was to do two things. To demonstrate a tech...
Illness is one of the main causes when you don’t have enough vitamins in your system because your immune is weak by not having any vitamin. A weak immune system can make you more susceptible to a common cold or fever. It seems that taking vitamin supplements does not work as well as taking vitamin in by a healthy diet. When eating unhealthy you could get different types of diseases. Having a high blood pressure can cause a higher risk of strokes and heart problems along with diabetes. Over time our population
Although there are wide varieties of options as to what a vegetarian can eat and how they can incorporate those nutrients into their diet, some do not choose to incorporate all of those necessary nutrients, and as a result, are deficient in some of the health guidelines and daily essential needs required for optimal health. B12 and vitamin D are two nutrients that many vegetarians are deficient in (Pros and Cons of Vegetarianism). B12 is attained from consuming meat, but some studies have shown that certain plants are able to provide some of the B vitamins but it is not a proven fact. For the B Vitamins, meat is the most convenient source in which to find these nutrients. By having a plant based diet, it usually more than one serving to attain all the necessary and essential amino acids, whereas meat can provide all the nutrients in a smaller quantity.(Vegetarian
Vitamins are essential aids in many body processes, converting food the energy, building and maintaining cells, and other functions.