Vitamin B12 deficiency: metabolic effects, clinical evaluation, and treatment

Synara Cavalcante Lopes; Daniel Duarte Gadelha; Manuela Dias de Carvalho; Virgínia Oliveira Fernandes; Renan Magalhães Montenegro Junior

doi:10.20513/2447-6595.2019v59n2p40-49

Authors

Synara Cavalcante Lopes Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio (HUWC), Universidade Federal da Ceará (UFC).
Daniel Duarte Gadelha Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio (HUWC), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC).
Manuela Dias de Carvalho Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio (HUWC), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC).
Virgínia Oliveira Fernandes Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio (HUWC), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC).
Renan Magalhães Montenegro Junior Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio (HUWC), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC).

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20513/2447-6595.2019v59n2p40-49

Keywords:

Vitamin B12, Vitamin B12 deficiency, Methylmalonic acid, Metabolic diseases, Metabolic syndrome, Diabetes

Abstract

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble essential micronutrient, required by all the body cells. Its deficiency has been implicated not only in hematological and neurological disorders, but also in many metabolic processes, such as insulin resistance and body composition changes, which have aroused particular interest in recent years. This study reviews the physiology of vitamin B12 from its digestion and absorption to its distribution in tissues, metabolic effects and controversies regarding the diagnosis of deficiency, and to dietary and pharmacological treatments.