A S A M

I NE R A L E L EMENT I N

DI E

TP R E S E N T E D B Y:D I E T I T I A N R O S H I N A R A B A I LB A H A U D D I N Z A K A R I Y Y A U N I V E R S I T Y , M U LT A N , P A K I S T A N

Naturally occurring element •Discovered in Zaire, Morocco and Canada .

Symbol~ CoBrittle grey metal with magnetic abilitiesBeautiful deep blue color named as ‘cobalt’

AS A MINERAL ELEMENT

AS A MINERAL IN DIETIt is an integral part of vitamin B-12

•This is the reason this vitamin is known as Cobalamin

Some authorities do not consider it as a separate essential mineral

•Needed primarily asa part of B-12

•Organ Meat

•Poultry

•Milk

Major Sourc

es

•Green leafy vegetables.

•Coffee•nuts

Other Good Sourc

es

DIETARY SOURCES OF COBALT

Same as that

of Vitamin

B12

Chocolate

contains highest levels

(Leblanc et al., 2004)

Milk and Dairy (32%)

Fish and Crustaceans

(20%)Condiments,

Sugar and Oils (16%)

Another research

suggests top three good sources as :

DIETARY SOURCES OF COBALT

COBALT IN THE BODY•5-40% through Gut•30% through Lungs

Absorption

•Liver•Spleen•Kidney

•Muscles •Fat

Storage

•80% through Urine•Remaining through

FaecesExcretio

n

•A constituent of Vitamin B-12 (Cyanocobalamin)

•Helps in Nervous system, metabolism, and DNA synthesis

Vitamin

B-12•Helps the body to use

Vitamin C, Iron and other similar nutrients

Vitamin C & Iron

•Helps in the formation of Hemoglobin

•Production and stimulation of some enzymes.

Hb

COBALT HEALTH BENEFITS

COBALT HEALTH BENEFITS

COBALT HEALTH BENEFITS•Effect vascular system

to strengthen it.Heart

•Repair Myelin sheath which surrounds and protects nerve cells.

Brain

•Major function in erythropoiesis (red

blood cell production).Blood

Cobalt-60•Radioactive, man made

isotope•Produce gamma rays

• Treat some kinds of cancers• Sterilization of food and medicine without any damage

COBALT HEALTH BENEFITS

RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE Group EAR µg/day RNI µg/day

Infants and children 0-6 months  0.32 0.4

7-12 months 0.32 0.51-3 years 0.7 0.94-6 years 1.0 1.27-9 years 1.5 1.8

Adolescents, 10-18 years 2.0 2.4Adults

19-65 years 2.0 2.465 +years 2.0 2.4

Pregnancy 2.2 2.6Lactation 2.4 2.8

FAO and WHO rec

ommend a 2.4 µg/day Vit

amin B-12 (equivalent to 0.1 µg/day of

cobalt)

HOW TO TAKE COBALT

Foods rich in B-12

Tablets Multivitamins Injections Nasal Gel

COBALT DEFICIENCY S I G N S & S Y M P T O M Sshortness of breathlow thyroid functionlake of appetiteloss of weightrough hair coatanemiaabnormal development of red blood cells (macrocytic anemia)

Megaloblastic anemia Symptoms: fatigue and weakness,

weight loss, and sore tongueNeurological disorder (subacute combined degeneration). Symptoms: numbness and

tingling of hands and feet, memory changes, poor balance, and depression

Infants can have developmental delay and failure to thrive

COBALT DEFICIENCY

No/reduced animal products Over age 50 with atrophic gastritis (stomach is not making

enough acid) Celiac disease Crohn’s disease Pancreas dysfunction Post bowel/stomach surgery Prolonged use of certain medications:

proton pump inhibitors: omeprazole, pantoprazole H2 blockers: ranitidine, famotidine, cimetidine Metformin a common diabetes drug

Strict vegetarians

WHO ARE AT RISK?

COBALT OVER DOSAGEHaving high amount of cobalt (> 5mg / day) can: Decrease fertility in men Polycythemia (abnormally increased Hb in blood) Long administration results in over production of

red blood cells (erythropoiesis), this can lead to: Heart attacks Thyroid glands problems Blood clots Stroke

Allergy: (Dermatitis/asthma) from contact sources like: paints, hair dye, dental plates, cosmetics,

antiperspirants etc.

RECENT RESEARCHES ABOUT COBALT

Inhibition of Tumors•A research concluded that cobalt ascorbate (B-12 combined with vitamin C) inhibited mitoses of tumors in mice. (Poydoc ME, 1991)Supplementation in Vegeterian/Vegan Diet

•A clinical focus demonstrated that vegetarians, particularly vegans, had lower serum vitamin B12 levels and should therefore be supplemented, particularly pregnant or breastfeeding vegan and vegetarian women. Zeuschner C. L. et al,

(2012)

RECENT RESEARCHES ABOUT COBALT

Co verses Haemoglobin in Pregnency •Co was found to be negatively associated to

haemoglobin that’s why its amount in body increases whereas that of haemoglobin decreases in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Fort M., et al.,(2014) Co in Men and Women

•Also it was reported that Women accumulate more cobalt than men at similar exposure

levels which may be related to higher metabolic iron loss. Fort M., et al.,(2014)

RECENT RESEARCHES ABOUT COBALT

Co and Athletes

•Co have beneficial effects during hypoxia (oxygen deficiency). It mimics hypoxia by stimulating erythropoietin (Epo) production from kidney (Erythropoietin stimulates the bone marrow to

produce more red blood cells which in turn increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.)•Co salts are misused by athletes for enhancing their aerobic performance. (Simonsen L.O., et al;

2012) .

RECENT RESEARCHES ABOUT COBALT

Effect on Fish Growth•Dietary Exposure of Ni and Co resulted in

increased feed intake and positive growth, whereas waterborne exposure of both metals resulted in loss of appetite and

ultimately weight loss. (Javed M., 2013)

REFERENCES• Poydoc ME, (1991) “Effect of combined ascorbic acid and B-12 on

survival of mice with implanted Ehrlich carcinoma and L1210 leukemia.” Am J Clin Nutr. 1991 Dec;54(6 Suppl):1261S-1265S

• Zeuschner C. L., Hokin B. D., Saunders A. V., Reid M. A., a d Ramsay M. R., (2012) “Vitamin B12 and vegetarian diets” MJA Open 2012; 1 Suppl 2: 27-32 doi:10.5694/mjao11.11509

• Fort M., Grimal J. O.,Casas M.,Sunyer J., (2014) “Interdependence between urinary cobalt concentrations and hemoglobin levels in pregnant women”doi:10.1016/j.envres.2014.10.013

• Simonsen L.O., Harbak H., Bennekou P.(2012) “Cobalt metabolism and toxicology—A brief update” doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.06.009

• Javed M., (2013) “Chronic Effect of Nickel and Cobalt on Fish Growth” IJAB 12-590/2013. Dept. of Zoology and Fisheries, UAF