The Critical Role of Vitamin B₁₂

Abstract

Vitamin B₁₂ affects the peripheral and central nervous systems, bone marrow, skin and mucous membranes, bones, and vessels, as well as the normal development of children. Although there is undoubtedly an association between vitamin B₁₂ and homocysteinemia, their relative influence on cardiovascular events is controversial.

Some large studies confirm that a supplementation with group B vitamins did not reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events or all-cause mortality in patients with vascular disease. The outcomes of these and similar trials could have been different had the researchers considered the following points: Using vitamin B₁₂ or B-complex as secondary prevention of cardiovascular events for patients with irreversible changes of blood vessels is probably in error. Rather, vitamin B₁₂ or B-complex should be used as primary prevention. Also, using high doses of vitamin B₁₂ will probably be more effective than using low doses of “group B vitamins.”

The effect of vitamin B₁₂ on the proliferation of malignant cells has been examined in vivo and in vitro in numerous studies. Their results indicate that methylcobalamin inhibits the proliferation of malignant cells and propose the possibility of methylcobalamin as a candidate of potentially useful agents for the treatment for some malignant tumors.

There are many articles indicating the increasing prevalence of low vitamin B₁₂ level in different segments of general population. In order to prevent serious health problems, vitamin B₁₂ routine fortification should be seriously considered and discussed.

Keywords:

• vitamin B₁₂
• homocysteine
• malignancy
• vitamin B¹² routine fortification
• recurrent aphthous stomatitis