Cobalt

Basic Information

Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? No

NATURAL SOURCES

Beet greens
Buckwheat
Cabbage
Clams
Figs
Kidney
Lettuce
Liver
Milk
Oysters
Spinach
Watercress
NOTE: Small amounts in diet satisfy requirements, except
under unusual circumstances.

REASONS TO USE

Promotes normal red-blood-cell formation. Acts as substitute for manganese in activation of several enzymes. Replaces zinc in some enzymes.

UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS

Treats anemia that does not respond to other treatment. Prevents and treats pernicious anemia.

WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?

Supplements are difficult to locate, so adequate food sources
become more important.
People with recent severe burns or injuries. Those with anorexia nervosa or bulimia. Vegetarians.

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

Pernicious anemia, with the following symptoms: Weakness, especially in arms and legs Sore tongue Nausea, appetite loss, weight loss Bleeding gums Numbness and tingling in hands and feet Difficulty maintaining balance Pale lips, pale tongue, pale gums Yellow eyes and skin Shortness of breath Depression Confusion and dementia Headache Poor memory

UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS

None

LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY

Concentration in human plasma Measured in bioassay as part of vitamin B-12

DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):
No RDA has been established.

What this mineral does:
Acts as a catalyst in complex reactions to form vitamin B-12.

Miscellaneous information:
This is a trace element stored mainly in the liver. Deficiency is extremely rare. Cobalt is a necessary ingredient to manufacture vitamin B-12 in the body. A deficiency of cobalt may lead to a deficiency of vitamin B-12 and therefore to pernicious anemia.

Available as:
Capsules: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor. A constituent of many multivitamin/mineral preparations.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Don't take if you:
Are healthy and eat a nutritious balanced diet.

Consult your doctor if you:
No problems expected.

Over age 55:
Eat a balanced diet to prevent deficiency.

Pregnancy:
No problems expected, except with megadoses. Don't take megadoses.

Breast-feeding:
No problems expected, except with megadoses. Don't take megadoses.

Effect on lab tests:
None expected.

Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't freeze. Store safely out of reach of children. Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change action of mineral.

OVERDOSE/TOXICITY

Signs and symptoms:
In megadoses, 20-30mg per day, cobalt can produce polycythemia, enlargement of thyroid gland and enlargement of the heart leading to congestive heart failure (See Glossary). Cobalt toxicity can cause thyroid overgrowth in infants.

What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section below. For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest Poison Control Center.

ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS

INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

Some beer contains cobalt as a stabilizer. People who consume
large quantities of cobalt-stabilized beer over long periods may
develop cobalt toxicity leading to cardiomyopathy and congestive
heart failure.