Cobalt Functions in Human Body

Cobalt is an essential micromineral, although the body only needs a small amount.

Little evidence exists that cobalt plays a role in human nutrition other than its being a part of vitamin B12 (cobalamin).

Cobalt increases the body’s ability to absorb it.

It is the vitamin B12, content of foods and diet rather than the ionic cobalt present, that is important in human nutrition.

Cobalt is stored in red blood cells with smaller amounts in the kidney, liver, pancreas and spleen.

It is indicated that cobalt helps with repair of the myelin sheath, increases the effectiveness of glucose transport from the blood into body cells, and increases the assimilation of iron and the building of red blood cells.

Cobalt stimulates many enzymes of the body and normalizes the performance of other body cells.

Absorption in the gastrointestinal tract varies, but probably averages about 25% for soluble compounds unless cobalt is ingested in the form of vitamin B, and in iron deficiency, which increased the absorption of cobalt.

The total cobalt content of the body is 1-2 mg. Since it was discovered that vitamin B12 contains cobalt as its central atom, the nutritional importance of cobalt has been emphasized and it has been assigned the status of an essential element.
Cobalt Functions in Human Body