foodconsumer.org: Effective oral vitamin B12 soon available

Effective oral vitamin B12 soon available
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admin on 06/17/2008 23:16:00
 
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