What Is Cobalt In Nutrition?

Cobalt is a hard, gray metal element. It’s part of vitamin B-12. This vitamin is essential for making red blood cells (erythropoiesis). It also maintains the nervous system. Cobalt is in the body only as part of vitamin B-12.

Which foods are high in cobalt?

Good food sources of cobalt include:

• fish.
• nuts.
• green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach.
• cereals, such as oats.

What does cobalt do in the body?

Cobalt is a component of vitamin B12, which supports the production of red blood cells. Very small amounts are needed for animals and humans to stay healthy.

Is cobalt the same as B12?

Answer: Cobalt is one of the components of vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin.

Is cobalt a nutrient?

Cobalt is an essential nutrient for prokaryotes, human beings, and other mammals but has not been considered an essential micronutrient for plants.

Does vitamin B12 contain cobalt?

Cobalt is a core element of vitamin B₁₂ (cyanocobalamin), which is essential for the prevention of anemia in humans¹.

Is cobalt harmful to health?

It can harm the eyes, skin, heart, and lungs. Exposure to cobalt may cause cancer. Workers may be harmed from exposure to cobalt and cobalt-containing products. The level of harm depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done.

What happens if you have too little cobalt?

If you have a cobalt deficiency, this also means you have a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Anemia is a main cause of a cobalt and vitamin B-12 deficiency. This is the case with pernicious anemia. Symptoms can include numbness, severe tiredness (fatigue), and tingling in your hands and feet.

Are eggs high in cobalt?

Milk and eggs contain about 0.004-0.005 mg Co per kg; dairy products like cheese and butter are relatively rich in cobalt (0.02 mg per kg FW). Virtually all cobalt in offal and beef meat can be attributed to vitamin B12.

What are 3 important uses of cobalt?

Cobalt is also used to make airbags in automobiles; catalysts for the petroleum and chemical industries; cemented carbides (also called hardmetals) and diamond tools; corrosion- and wear-resistant alloys; drying agents for paints, varnishes, and inks; dyes and pigments; ground coats for porcelain enamels; high-speed

What deficiency causes itchy hands?

Dry, itchy skin is often a sign of a vitamin D deficiency. As vitamin D is created through skin exposure to the sun and cholesterol in the skin, in the winter months, when sunlight exposure is less, people often experience dry, itchy skin attributing it to the cold weather.

What deficiency causes skin itching?

Dermatitis includes dry, itchy and reddening skin which can be a sign of zinc, niacin and essential fatty acid (such as omega 3s) deficiency. You can isolate a niacin deficiency, as the skin normally reacts to sunlight causing red lesions.

What are the deficiency symptoms of cobalt?

The common symptoms due to acute cobalt deficiency are paleness, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and subsequent poor growth, shortness of breath, dizziness, scaly ears and watery discharge from the eyes.

What is the main source of cobalt?

Congo
With the exception of production in Morocco and artisanally mined cobalt in Congo (Kinshasa), most cobalt is mined as a byproduct of copper or nickel. China was the world’s leading producer of refined cobalt, most of which it produced from partially refined cobalt imported from Congo (Kinshasa).

Does the body need cobalt?

Cobalt is an integral part of vitamin B12 and therefore essential for the function of cells. It is also involved in the production of red blood cells and the production of antibacterial and antiviral compounds that prevent infections.

What is cobalt?

cobalt (Co), chemical element, ferromagnetic metal of Group 9 (VIIIb) of the periodic table, used especially for heat-resistant and magnetic alloys.

Can I eat cobalt?

Other health effects associated with exposure to high levels of cobalt through ingestion may include: nausea and vomiting, vision problems, dermatitis, thyroid damage, severe damage to the heart, and even death.

How can you get B12 naturally?

Vitamin B12 is naturally present in foods of animal origin, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products [5]. In addition, fortified breakfast cereals and fortified nutritional yeasts are readily available sources of vitamin B12 that have high bioavailability [12,13].

Which fruits are rich in vitamin B12?

Fruits like apples, bananas, blueberries and oranges are some fruits that are high in vitamin B12. Which vegetable has more B12? Vegetables like spinach, beetroot, butternut squash, mushroom and potato contain good sources of vitamin b12.

How long does cobalt stay in the body?

Elevated blood levels of cobalt and chromium ions can persist for at least 1 year after revision, especially in patients with high levels of exposure.

How much cobalt is toxic to humans?

The LD ₅₀ value for soluble cobalt salts has been estimated to be between 150 and 500 mg/kg. Thus, for a 100 kg person the LD₅₀ would be about 20 grams. Soluble cobalt(II) salts are “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (IARC Group 2B Agents).