Absorption of Vitamin B12

The Vitamin B12 performs the prime functions of producing Red blood cells, and maintains the balance of nervous system. It is very important that an appropriate level of B12 is maintained in the Human Body. A deficiency of this vitamin can be elusive, and the symptoms can be contradictory. The main reason behind the deficiency relates to the fact that people fail to intake the right amount of food containing these vitamins, or the body simply stops the absorption process. If the body stops absorbing B12 from the food sources, the deficiency created can result in serious consequences

We should not take it for granted that good food consumption will ensure proper absorption of vitamins. Intrinsic factor which is a glycoprotein should be sufficient, so that the availability of the vitamins do not go beyond the required level. The intrinsic factors are tiny and open ended capsules of proteins required to be fit into a “cobalamin” molecule and they are created by the stomach. Theses capsules bob and weave around the digesting food randomly, and collide against the B12 vitamins. They quickly snap the open and shot, trap it inside, and move it to the farthest end of the intestine where the “cobalamin” can be absorbed.

The intrinsic factor is considered important as it is solely responsible for the absorption process. Else the B12 would never reach the destination, because of the bacteria residing in the intestine. These bacteria are hungry for nutrition and would intercept it at once. In absence of intrinsic factor one can be starved of Vitamin B12 even if it is supplied in large amounts through supplements .Different amino acids available from various animal sources boosts the protein production for intrinsic factor. But plants sources specialize in making a specific variety of amino acids and do not produce all. So this is the reason behind vegetarians being more vulnerable to vitamin deficiency. If the intrinsic factors do not work as expected, the bacteria might gobble up most of the vitamin supplied while the rest gets excreted.

The reason for vitamin deficiency is commonly identified as the failure of B12 absorption from the intestine rather than deficiency in dietary. The intrinsic factors being secreted from the stomach cells linings and gets absorbed in the ileum in the presence of calcium. In case of deficiency of vitamins one should check for the reason behind this, rather than consuming more of supplements because if the intrinsic factor working process is not corrected, an excess intake of vitamins would be of no use.