Vitamin B12 is present naturally in many kinds of foods. It is also available in the form of supplements and is an important ingredient in multivitamins. People who suffer from deficiency of the vitamin are often asked to take high dosage of the vitamin through intramuscular injections. Hence, they may be worried whether excess Vitamin B12 is harmful to them or not.

Usually, Vitamin B12 is connected to the dietary protein. The gastric acid has the responsibility to remove the vitamin from the dietary protein and allow it to combine with another protein produced by the lining of the stomach. This protein is known as intrinsic factor. Then the vitamin is absorbed by the small intestine and released into the bloodstream for use by the body. Vitamin B12, also known as cyanocobalamin, is used in the synthesis of DNA, production of RBCs, production of nerves and many other biological processes of the body.

Usually, people get the required amount of the vitamin through their foods, like fish, meat, dairy products and shellfish. The recommended daily intake of the vitamin should not be more than 2 mcg. It has been seen that Vitamin B12 supplements often contain at least 50 to 500 times more quantity of the vitamin. The good news is that this vitamin is soluble in water and any excess taken is usually flushed out of the body through the urine. Many studies have been conducted to figure out the harmful effects of excess Vitamin B12. However, these studies have not been able to prove that the vitamin causes an adverse effect on the body.

However, it has been noticed that some people do show adverse reaction to the vitamin, like suffering from a rash or having itching of the skin. In these people, the adverse reaction often occurs due to an allergy to the cobalamin in the vitamin. Also, the vitamin can worsen certain disorders related to blood cells. In addition, the vitamin is contraindicated in a disorder of the eye known as Leber's disease. Some people often complain of diarrhea on taking the vitamin. These side effects are not dependent on the amount of Vitamin B12 consumed; and are only observed in people who have some other health problem.

While medical and scientific studies are still going on to figure out whether excess Vitamin B12 is harmful or not, till now no studies have managed to prove this. Hence, in all probability, it can be said that high amounts of Vitamin B12 are not harmful as the body has the ability to flush out any excess. However, the vitamin can cause adverse reactions in people who have some other existing health problem.

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