• Contains bioactive forms – adenosyl- and methylcobalamin
• Supports the conversion of folic acid to the active form
• Takes part in the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates
• Counteracts the aggregation of homocysteine
• Influences the production and differentiation of blood constituents
• Helps to maintain mental health and ability
• Strengthens the protection of the cardiovascular system

Seeking Health Active B12 5000 is a dietary supplement containing vitamin B12 in the form of the two most bioavailable forms – 80% methylcobalamin, 20% adenosylcobalamin. High assimilability of the preparation’s ingredients makes the product an effective complementation of cobalamin deficiency and protects from the disorders of the circulatory system and nervous system.

Vitamin B12 is a compound, in the composition of which there is corrin system, containing four reduced pyrrole rings and cobalt atom located in the center. It is the only vitamin, the production of which in the organism is possible only in bacterial cells, however, in humans, the main source of this vitamin is food. Cobalamin is a key substance for the proper functioning of the organism, it counteracts pernicious anemia and protects the nervous system.

The main sources of vitamin B12 are primarily all products of animal origin: meat of ruminants, fish, shellfish, poultry, cheese, eggs. This vitamin is also found in large amounts in some algae and vegetables susceptible to the process of fermentation, e.g. miso.

Discovery of vitamin B12
The history of the discovery of vitamin B12 goes back to the year 1835, when the disorder of red cell synthesis was discovered – pernicious anemia. In 1920 it was observed that applying livers to animals which lost a lot of blood helped them to recover faster. In 1948 Rickers and his coworkers isolated the substance which helped to treat anemia – initially it was called vitamin B12 and then cobalamin.

Causes, symptoms and consequences of cobalamin deficiency
Insufficient level of cobalamin in the organism contributes to the increased level of homocysteine, by which it may constitute an increased risk factor of the diseases of the cardiovascular system (increases blood coagulation, disturbs the function of endothelium, intensifies oxidative stress). Moreover, vitamin B12 deficiency also negatively influences the work of the nervous system and increases the susceptibility of DNA to damages.

Among the main symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are primarily disorders in blood-forming processes, which consequently may lead to developing pernicious anemia, also called megaloblastic anemia or Addison–Biermer anemia.

Insufficient level of cobalamin in the organism contributes among others to the growth of susceptibility to infections, menstruation disorders, limb numbness, loss of appetite and irritation. Vitamin B12 manifests itself also in the form of neurological disorders: dementia, brain atrophy, ataxia, neuropathy.

The causes of vitamin B12 deficiency are mainly: improper absorption of cobalamin, excessive growth of intestinal flora which uses up this vitamin, diseases of the intestines (Whipple’s disease, Zollinger–Ellison syndrome), states after bowel resection. Increased need for cobalamin is also observed in case of the presence of parasites, overproduction of hydrochloric acid, taking certain drugs, atrophic gastritis and consequently – Castle factor deficiency.

Participation of vitamin B12 in the blood-forming process
Cobalamin is a key element in the process of red cell synthesis. This vitamin by binding with glycoprotein – an internal factor (also called Castle factor) secreted by parietal cells of the stomach constitutes an element of erythropoiesis and takes part in the process of blood cell synthesis. Moreover, it is essential to produce DNA and RNA in erythroblasts.

Vitamin B12 and the function of the nervous system
Cobalamin influences the proper activity of the nervous system. This vitamin is responsible, among others, for the synthesis of neurotransmitters, nucleotides and takes part in building myelin sheath. In elderly psychiatric patients vitamin B12 deficiency is observed, which gives the symptoms of memory impairment, depression, hypomanic episodes or identity changes. Interestingly, psychological dysfunctions may constitute the only symptoms of cobalamin deficiency.

The role of cobalamin in metabolic processes
Vitamin B12 influences the proper course of metabolic transformations of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Cobalamin, as a cofactor of two enzymes – methionine synthase and methylmalonyl-CoA, takes part in the transformations of methionine from homocysteine and methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA. Moreover, it is essential for the conversion of folic acid to the bioactive form – tetrahydrofolate, thanks to which it influences the stabilization of human genome.

Summing up, Seeking Health, Active B12 5000 is a dietary supplement helping to safely complement cobalamin deficiency.

Due to the fact that it is a vitamin produced by bacteria, paradoxically, increasingly higher life hygiene may be the cause of its insufficient supply. Moreover, among the people especially prone to the deficits of this vitamin are elderly people (impaired absorption, increased risk of circulatory diseases) as well as vegans and vegetarians (low level of cobalamin in vegetable products).