Patient/caregiver was instructed upon therapeutic uses of vitamin B12 as follows:
- Vitamin B12 is needed for production of DNA in the various cells present in the different organs of the body. Thus, vitamin B12 plays an important role in cell multiplication, which helps to replace old and damaged cells with young and active cells, thus preserving the function. Deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to compromised cell replication, whereby, replacement of old and damaged cells with active young cells will be compromised. This can result in compromised function of vital organs and early onset of symptoms of aging.
- Vitamin B12 is also believed to be involved in detoxifying harmful metabolites produced in the body. Homocysteine is a toxic metabolite produced in the body from protein metabolism. Homocysteine produced in the body can be recycled and converted into useful proteins with the help of vitamin B12. Deficiency of vitamin B12 compromises this conversion, thus leading to accumulation of high levels of homocysteine in the body. High homocysteine levels in the blood can be toxic and can contribute to increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, and formation of blood clots. Elevated homocysteine levels in the blood can also result in early loss of bone, increasing risk for early onset of osteoporosis and fractures.
- Folic acid is stored in the body in inactive form and vitamin B12 is needed for generation of active folic acid from inactive stores in the body. Deficiency of vitamin B12 compromises production of active folic acid, thus, in turn contributing to folic acid deficiency.
- Adequate levels of vitamin B12 are necessary during pregnancy to help normal fetal growth and development.
