Effective oral vitamin B12 soon available

TUESDAY June 17, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- Those who need injections to treat their vitamin B12 deficiency may soon have an option, according to a new study which found that an oral form could do the trick.

Vitamin B12 deficiency may occur in populations such as seniors, vegetarians, and people with certain conditions. The deficiency can lead to a wide spectrum of conditions including anemia, dementia, and loss of cognitive functions.

An estimated 40 percent of the U.S. population is vitamin B12 deficient, according to Tufts University in Boston. Some may not be aware that they are actually deficient in this vitamin, only experiencing some symptoms such as fatigue, constipation, loss of appetite, and weight loss.

Oral forms of vitamin B12 have lower bioavailability; physicians largely rely on B12 shots to treat people with B12 deficiency. Earlier studies showed that about one percent of vitamin B12 gets absorbed in the bloodstream after traveling through the digestive track.

"Vitamin B12 is a perfect example of the successful application of our Eligen technology," said Cristina Castelli, Ph.D., AAPS expert and lead researcher at Emisphere Technologies, Inc.

"Our current studies have shown our oral solid formulation brings vitamin B12 absorption to a range of 7-30% without the discomfort of an invasive route of administration."

Dr. Castelli and other project researchers will present the results of their animal study at the AAPS National Biotechnology Conference. Human studies are reportedly under way.

By David Liu, PhD, and edited by Heather Kelley.
Jun 17, 2008 - 1:16:03 PM