B12 Cobalamin

Question 1

Sources

Answer 1

-meat
-fish
-eggs
-dairy

Question 2

Functions

Answer 2

-with folate- needed by rapidly dividing cells
-with folate and B6- required for maintenance of normal blood homocysteine levels

Question 3

Deficiency

Answer 3

-rare- sometimes seen in vegans
-caused by lack of intrinsic factor- substance needed for absorption of B12- leads to megaloblastic anaemia

Question 4

Excess

Answer 4

no toxic effects reported

Question 5

Effects of cooking and storage

Answer 5

-stable when heated
-slowly loses its activity when exposed to light and oxygen- food stored away from direct sunlight and in airtight conditions
-if stored in acid/ alkaline conditions, B12 lost in food