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Example research essay topic: Red Blood Cells Vitamin B 12 - 1,112 words

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Vitamin B 12 Vitamin B 12, scientifically known as coba lamin, has specific chemical structure and characteristics which qualify as a water-soluble vitamin. However, unlike the other water-soluble vitamins it is not disgorged quickly in the urine, but accumulates in the liver, kidney and other body tissues. Therefore, only after 5 or 6 years of B 12 insufficient diet the vitamin deficiency can be adequately distinguished. Vitamin B 12 serves as a methyl donor and cooperates with folic acid in processes known as the DNA and red blood cells syntheses. Thus, vitamin is crucially important in maintaining the health of the insulation sheath, known as myelin sheath that surrounds nerve cells.

The most common vitamin B 12 deficiency disease is considered to be pernicious anemia, a disease characterized by large but immature red blood cells. However, according to contemporary medical studies, a vitamin B 12 deficiency can have serious consequences long before anemia becomes evident. Numerous medical sources indicate that the normal blood level of vitamin B 12 varies between 200 and 600 program per milliliter. Vitamin B 12 is considered to be a coenzyme, which means that it is needed for enzymes to change one molecule into another. The structure of Vitamin B 12 is complex. One part of its texture is represented with the corn nucleus, which contains an atom of cobalt.

The corn has strong similarity with the heme of hemoglobin, which contains an atom of iron. The combination of corn and other atoms constitute the cobalatamin part of Vitamin B 12. There are only two known cobalatamins that act as coenzymes in the human body, namely methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin. Interestingly, the human body is capable to convert some of other cobalamin's into one of mentioned active types. The amount of vitamin B 12 actually required by the body is very small, and constitutes only about 2 micrograms or 2 millionth of a gram per day. However, comparing to other vitamins and minerals, vitamin B 12 is not absorbed very well by the organism and thus more volumes of vitamin should be supplied through the diet or supplementation.

Medical science considers microorganisms, primarily bacteria, to be the only organisms to produce Vitamin B 12. Bacteria live in soil, water and the digestive tracts of animals, however, normally Vitamin B 12 is attached to animals protein either for transport or storage. Therefore, when people consume animal foods, the B 12 becomes protein-bound. However, when the protein-B 12 complex reaches the stomach, the latter secretes acids and enzymes that separate the B 12 from the protein. Subsequently, another protein, R-protein known as cobalophilin, transcobalamin I 1 or haptocorrin, holds the B 12 and delivers it through the stomach into the small intestine. R-protein can be found in many fluids throughout the human body, in particular saliva and stomach secretions.

Simultaneously, along with Vitamin B 12 R-protein pick up any carcinoid. In addition to B 12, R-protein can pick up any carcinoid (Scalabrino, 109). The stomach cells manufacture a protein called intrinsic factor, known also as IF, which also travels to the small intestine. When the carcinoid-R-protein complex reaches the small intestine, the carcinoid is detached from the R-protein by enzymes made by the pancreas (Groff, 71). Once corrinoid's are liberated, only the cobalamin's are attached to intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor then delivers the cobalamin's to the last section of the small intestine, called the ileum.

The cells bordering the ileum include receptors for the coba lamin-IF complex. The latter secures the coba lamin from bacterial and digestive enzyme degradation (Messina, 47). The IF-receptor also ensures the process during which cobalamin's are given the priority for absorption over non-coba lamin corrinoid's. Moreover, B 12 passive diffusion accounts for 1 - 3 % of vitamin absorbed through usual food sources (Groff, 76). Through passive diffusion process some inactive B 12 analogues are likely to be absorbed. Various medicine evidences indicate that in supplements B 12 is not confined to protein and thus, it is not necessary for stomach digestive enzymes to be separated from a protein.

Enzymes are needed to dissolve B 12 tablets, especially if not chewed. However, taken in large doses, unbound Vitamin B 12 is able to overcome IF defects due to absorption through passive diffusion process. In addition, some preliminary evidence asserts that unbound to protein B 12 combined with absorption enhancer can be immediately imbibed through membranes under the tongue at significantly higher rates than those during passive diffusion in digestive tract. The richest dietary sources of vitamin B 12 are considered to be liver, and kidneys. In addition, eggs, cheese and deep water species of fish can also supply relatively small amounts.

Simultaneously, vegetables and fruits constitute very poor source of Vitamin B 12. Thus, several surveys indicate that most strict, long-term vegetarians become vitamin B 12 deficient. In addition, elderly people are recognized as Vitamin B 12 deficient because their production of the IF required to absorb the vitamin from the small intestine decreases drastically with age. Contemporary physicians consider oral supplementation with Vitamin B 12 to be safe and efficient. The majority of multi-vitamin tablets contains 100 - 200 microgram of cyanocobalamin form of B 12, which subsequently should be converted to methylcobalamin in order to be used by the body. To avoid already mentioned problem of Vitamin B 12 absorption, the best option is to dissolve a tablet of methylcobalamin under the tongue (Elia, 1721).

Some medical practitioners assert that monthly injections of B 12 are mandatory in order to maintain sufficient vitamin levels in old people and patients with a diagnosed deficiency. Simultaneously, there is no scientific evidence supporting the allegation that injections are more efficient than sublingual supplementation. Vitamin B 12 deficiency often reveals itself first in the development of neurological dysfunction, which is highly difficult to distinguish from senile dementia and Alzheimers disease. Some medical studies indicate that many patients showing symptoms of Alzheimers disease actually suffer from a vitamin B 12 deficiency. Avitaminosis of B 12 is associated with asthma, depression, tinnitus, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, diabetic neuropathy as well as low sperm counts. It is inevitable fact that in order to have healthy and full organisms, individuals should maintain adequate body stored of this important vitamin.

Bibliography Scalabrino G. Subacute combined degeneration one century later. The neurotrophic action of coba lamin (vitamin B 12) revisited. Boston Books, 1999 Groff J, Gropper S. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism, 3 rd ed. Wadsworth: 2000 Messina M, Messina V.

The Dietitian's Guide to Vegetarian Diets. Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen Publishers, Inc. , 1996 Elia, M. Oral or parenteral therapy for B 12 deficiency. The Lancet, Vol. 352, November 28, 1998, pp. 1721 - 22


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