Vitamin B12 – Nature’s Forgotten Partnership

Foundational Texts on Vitamin B12 Biology

Gropper, S. S., Smith, J. L., & Carr, T. P. (2016). Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. Cengage Learning.
Explores the biochemical roles of vitamin B12 in DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and neural health.

Herbert, V. (1988). “Vitamin B12: Plant sources, requirements, and assay.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 48(3), 852–858.
Examines the origins, dietary sources—including plant-based considerations—and bioavailability of vitamin B12, highlighting its essential roles in human metabolism and systemic health.

Martens, J. H., Barg, H., & Warren, M. J. (2002). “Microbial production of vitamin B12.” Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 58(3), 275–285.
Discusses bacterial synthesis of vitamin B12, emphasising its natural production and essential integration into ecological and nutritional systems.

Biological Roles and Mechanisms

Allen, L. H. (2009). “How common is vitamin B12 deficiency?” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 89(2), 693S–696S.
Highlights vitamin B12’s critical functions in DNA synthesis, methylation processes, and neurological health, emphasising the widespread prevalence and impacts of deficiency.

Banerjee, R., & Ragsdale, S. W. (2003). “The many faces of vitamin B12: Catalysis by cobalamin-dependent enzymes.” Annual Review of Biochemistry, 72, 209–247.
Explores the diverse enzymatic roles of vitamin B12, emphasising its critical involvement in metabolic pathways, including DNA synthesis, methylation, and neurological function.

O’Leary, F., & Samman, S. (2010). “Vitamin B12 in health and disease.” Nutrients, 2(3), 299–316.
Discusses the essential role of vitamin B12 in methylation, homocysteine metabolism, and neurological function, highlighting its significance for cardiovascular and overall systemic health.

Evolutionary Perspective of Vitamin B12

Ungar, P. S. (2012). Evolution of the Human Diet: The Known, the Unknown, and the Unknowable. Oxford University Press.
Places B12 acquisition in the context of human dietary evolution and microbial symbiosis.

Herbert, V. (1988). “Vitamin B12: Plant sources, requirements, and assay.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 48(3), 852–858.
This article examines the origins and bioavailability of vitamin B12, discussing its presence in plant sources and the role of bacterial synthesis.

Martens, J. H., Barg, H., & Warren, M. J. (2002). “Microbial production of vitamin B12.” Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 58(3), 275–285.
This paper highlights the bacterial synthesis of vitamin B12 and its integration into natural ecosystems, emphasizing microbial contributions to B12 availability.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Its Implications

Allen, L. H. (2009). “How common is vitamin B12 deficiency?” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 89(2), 693S–696S.
This article explores the critical role of vitamin B12 in human metabolism and discusses sources, including those relevant to plant-based diets.

Stabler, S. P., & Allen, R. H. (2004). “Vitamin B12 deficiency as a worldwide problem.” Annual Review of Nutrition, 24, 299–326.
Examines the global prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency, highlighting its critical role in neurological and haematological health, and the implications of widespread deficiency for systemic well-being.

Carmel, R. (2008). “Subclinical cobalamin deficiency.” Annals of Internal Medicine, 148(5), 375–383.
Highlights the subtle yet significant impact of mild vitamin B12 deficiency on cognitive function and systemic health, emphasising its importance in maintaining overall neurological well-being.

Sources of Vitamin B12

Herbert, V. (1988). “Vitamin B12: Plant sources, requirements, and assay.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 48(3), 852–858.
Examines bacterial synthesis of vitamin B12, highlighting its historical availability through environmental exposure from soil, water, and plant-based sources.

Martens, J. H., Barg, H., Warren, M. J., & Jahn, D. (2002). “Microbial production of vitamin B12.” Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 58(3), 275–285.
Explores microbial synthesis of vitamin B12 within natural ecosystems, emphasising its role in ecological nutrient cycling and integration into the food web.

Allen, L. H. (2009). “How common is vitamin B12 deficiency?” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 89(2), 693S–696S.
Examines contemporary challenges in achieving adequate vitamin B12 intake from natural environmental sources, highlighting how modern hygiene practices have reduced its natural availability.

Modern Health Challenges and B12 Deficiency

Misra, M., Pacaud, D., Petryk, A., Collett-Solberg, P. F., & Kappy, M. (2008). “Vitamin B12 deficiency in children and its management: Review of current knowledge and recommendations.” Pediatrics, 122(2), 398–417.
Highlights the health implications of vitamin B12 deficiency in children, emphasising the necessity of adequate dietary intake or supplementation to ensure healthy growth and neurological development.

Stabler, S. P. (2013). “Clinical practice: Vitamin B12 deficiency.” The New England Journal of Medicine, 368(2), 149–160.
Reviews the clinical signs, diagnosis methods, and treatment strategies for vitamin B12 deficiency, emphasising the importance of recognising deficiency early to prevent systemic and neurological complications.

B12 Supplementation and Fortification

Allen, L. H. (2009). “Vitamin B12 supplements: Evidence and implications for public health.” The Journal of Nutrition, 139(1), 369S–373S.
Evaluates the effectiveness of vitamin B12 supplementation strategies in combating global deficiencies, highlighting implications for public health policy and systemic health outcomes.

Sustainability and Ethical Considerations

Poore, J., & Nemecek, T. (2018). “Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers.” Science, 360(6392), 987–992.
Highlights the significant environmental impacts associated with animal-derived sources of nutrients like vitamin B12, advocating dietary shifts towards more sustainable, plant-based or microbial alternatives.

Willett, W., Rockström, J., Loken, B., et al. (2019). “Food in the Anthropocene: The EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems.” The Lancet, 393(10170), 447–492.
Advocates sustainable dietary strategies, highlighting microbial synthesis and supplementation as environmentally beneficial and effective sources of vitamin B12.

Steinfeld, H., Gerber, P., Wassenaar, T., et al. (2006). Livestock’s Long Shadow: Environmental Issues and Options. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Evaluates the ecological and environmental costs associated with livestock production, particularly highlighting the sustainability issues related to dependence on animal-derived nutrients such as vitamin B12.