vitamin B12
vitamin involved in the metabolism of every cell
AI overview
Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that plays a role in how every cell in your body uses energy and processes nutrients. Your body needs it to function properly, though the exact details of all its functions are complex.
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Article
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin or extrinsic factor, is a water-soluble vitamin involved in metabolism. One of eight B vitamins, it serves as a vital cofactor in DNA synthesis and both fatty acid and amino acid metabolism. It plays an essential role in the nervous system by supporting myelin synthesis and is critical for the maturation of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Animals require B12 but plants do not, relying instead on alternative enzymatic pathways.
Vitamin B12 is the most chemically complex of all vitamins, and is synthesized exclusively by certain archaea and bacteria. Natural food sources include meat, shellfish, liver, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. It is also added to many breakfast cereals through food fortification and is available in dietary supplement and pharmaceutical forms. Supplements are commonly taken orally but may be administered via intramuscular injection to treat deficiencies.