vitamin b12 one of the eight water-soluble b vitamins contains the mineral cobalt which is why it is often referred to as "cobalamin. " all b vitamins are involved in cell metabolism but b12 plays a key role in keeping nerve and blood cells healthy. adequate vitamin b12 also prevents megaloblastic anemia a type of anemia that occurs with larger-than-normal red blood cells. vitamin b12 can only be found in foods of animal origin so vegans (vegetarians who omit all animal products) need to eat foods fortified with b12 or take supplemental b12.
what is vitamin b12?