Medical Health Encyclopedia

Vitamin B12


InjuryDiseasesNutritionPoison
SymptomsSurgeryTestSpecial Topic
Vitamin B12 benefits
Vitamin B12 benefits
Vitamin B12 source
Vitamin B12 source
Overview Food Sources Side Effects Recommendations Prevention
Definition

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. After the body uses these vitamins, leftover amounts leave the body through the urine.

The body can store vitamin B12 for years in the liver.


Alternative Names

Cobalamin; Cyanocobalamin


Function

Vitamin B12, like the other B vitamins, is important for metabolism. It helps in the formation of red blood cells and in the maintenance of the central nervous system.



Review Date: 02/15/2011
Reviewed By: Alison Evert, MS, RD, CDE, Nutritionist, University of Washington Medical Center Diabetes Care Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).




Find a Therapist
PR Newswire