Description
Methylcobalamin is one of three natural forms of Vitamin B12 and therefore readily absorbed in the small intestine. For normal Vitamin B12 absorption in the terminal ileum, the vitamin must bind to salivary haptocorrin and then to “intrinsic factor”, a protein factor which is secreted by the parietal cells of the stomach. The most common reason for Vitamin B12 deficiency in humans is not dietary but a failure of intrinsic factor secretion, leading to pernicious anaemia. Its key functions are that it contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism, normal functioning of the nervous system, normal red blood cell formation, normal homocysteine metabolism, normal psychological function, normal functioning of the immune system and finally it has a role in the process of cell division.