Vitamin B12, commonly known as Cyanocobalamin, is utilized by the human body’s cells for producing energy. It is extremely crucial for life and is found normally in different animal products. However, the entire process of absorption of B12 is very complex and complicated, including numerous different vital internal organs of the body. If one of the organs fails to work properly then it will lead to B12 deficiency and this in turn will cause many serious illnesses.
Vitamin B12 is chiefly found in meat and in different dairy products. It is fairly challenging for the human body to absorb this nutrient, in the absence of a precisely balanced system. First the B12 Vitamin travels all the way into the stomach, by means of the saliva molecules. Here, various pancreatic enzymes work alongside stomach acid to digest it. Inside the stomach, the vitamin connects itself to “intrinsic factor”, which is actually a chemical, produced by the stomach. Then the intrinsic factor and B12 mixture is gradually absorbed by the small intestines.
So, Vitamin B12 absorption involves four different systems, such as, stomach acid, intrinsic factor, pancreas enzymes as well as small intestines. It is extremely important for all these four systems to function correctly, in order to assist in the absorption of B12. However, these systems can at times breakdown, owing to different factors. For instance, “pernicious anemia” is an autoimmune syndrome and it instigates the body to attack the stomach cells, which generate intrinsic factor. Without the presence of intrinsic factor, it is almost impossible for B12 absorption to take place. Even the irritable bowel syndrome is capable of blocking the small intestines, which in turn can cause hindrance to the absorption process.
The best way to treat a patient, whose body is not able to carry out the B12 absorption process properly, is by means of B12 injections. However, at times doctors prescribe sublingual Vitamin B12 pills, for the proper absorption of the nutrient.