Cobalt Information

Facts

Cobalt is part of the vitamin B₁₂ molecule as cobalamin, and there is little evidence of other roles of cobalt in human nutrition.
The cobalt atom in B₁₂ is surrounded and attached to a methyl group, a deoxyadenosyl group and a hydroxyl group or a cyano group.
The human requirement for cobalt is not the ionic form of the metal, but for a preformed metallovitamin that cannot be synthesized from dietary metal. Therefore, it is the vitamin B₁₂ content of foods in the diet that is of importance in human nutrition.

Functions

The functions and activity of cobalt are essential the same as vitamin B₁₂. Therefore, cobalt plays a role in erythropoiesis.
Cobalt, in the form of CoC₁₂, assists in regulating certain phosphoprotein phosphatases, such as casein and phosvitin phosphatases.
Along with Manganese (Mn) and Nickel (Ni), cobalt can substitute for Zinc (Zn) in the metalloenzymes, angiotensin-converting enzyme, carboxypeptidase, and carbonic anhydrase.¹ ² ³

Requirements & Recommendations

No RDA or Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary Intake has been set for cobalt.

Deficiency signs and symptoms

A deficiency in cobalt is ultimately a deficiency in vitamin B12. Increased consumption of vitamin B12 via food and/or supplements would alleviate any deficiency symptoms.

Toxicity

In the past, cobalt was recommended for treating anemia, nephritis and infection in addition to the usual hemopoietic agents. Reports of goiter, myxedema and congestive heart failure have been found in five patients.
Industrial exposure to high amounts of cobalt and consumption of beer contaminated with excessive amounts of cobalt produce cardiomyopathy with a high mortality risk.⁴

Dietary Sources

Dietary sources of cobalt are the same as vitamin B12, such as foods of animal origin or fermented foods where the bacteria produce the vitamin. Organ meats are the best source of vitamin B12 (liver, kidney, heart, and pancreas), followed by clams, oysters, extra-lean beef, seafood, eggs, milk and yogurt, chicken, cheese, and miso (a fermented soybean product).

Populations w/ Special Needs

Since the primary sources of vitamin B₁₂ in the diet are animal products, vegetarians have a high risk of developing B₁₂ deficiency. Therefore, it is recommended to supplement in order to prevent the vitamin B₁₂ deficiency.
Other conditions that may be associated with an increased risk for cobalt deficiency include:
- Lack of intrinsic factor
- Gastrectomy
- Malabsorption
(see Vitamin B₁₂ section)
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Drug-Mineral Interaction

⁵ ⁶ ⁷

No health hazards or side effects are known.
Caution with pregnancy or nursing, consult physician before using.

Information on the relationship between substances and disease is provided for general information, in order to convey a balanced review of the scientific literature. In many cases the relationship between a substance and a disease is tentative and additional research is needed to confirm such a relationship.

Research Summary

Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency and Hyperhomo-cysteinemia: It has been suggested that vitamin B₁₂ deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia impact the metabolism of some trace elements, particularly cobalt and nickel. A study found that vitamin B₁₂-deficient pigs fed an oral supplement of cobalt (1 mg/kg), had 47% lower serum homocysteine concentrations than B₁₂-deficient pigs fed a lower dose of cobalt (0.13 mg/kg). However, B₁₂ status of both groups was not affected. Nickel supplementation also improved B₁₂ status in the liver and serum, and decreased the concentration of serum homocysteine. The results suggested that cobalt and nickel influenced response of the pig to vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. In addition, the accumulation of homocysteine in the serum, a symptom of B₁₂ deficiency, can be attenuated by cobalt and nickel even though the mode of action of these elements seems to differ. ⁸