Vitamin B12

What is it? 

Vitamin B12 is a vitamin which is found in food like fish, meat and dairy product. It is required by our body for the proper function and development of brain , nerves, red blood cells and other parts of our body.

Benefits

There are ongoing research conducted to prove that it is effective for patient with vitamin B12 deficiency, Pernicious anemia, cyanide poisoning, age related macular degeneration and in patients with high homocysteine in the blood.

More randomized controlled research studies need to be conducted to prove other proclaimed benefits.

Possible side effects 

At normal dosing it is likely safe for most people including children, pregnant and lactating woman. 

Drug-Drug Interactions

Chloramphenicol: Vitamin B is required for the production of red blood cells. Whenc ombined with chloramphenicol , the latter will reduce its effectiveness in production of blood cells.

Dosage 

According to scientific research on Vitamin B12 dosing :

The typical supplement dosage of vitamin B12 is 1-25 mcg per day.

For vitamin B12 deficiency anemia: cyanocobalamin doses of 300-10,000 mcg daily have been used.

For high blood levels of homocysteine: vitamin B12 500 mcg in combination with 0.5-5 mg folic acid and 16.5 mg pyridoxine has been used.

For preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD): vitamin B12 1 mg, folic acid 2.5 mg, and pyridoxine 50 mg daily has been studied.