Comments
No items found.
X Fact
June 24, 2020
/
20 Second Read
/
Complexity Rating

What Does the Color of Blood Have in Common With Vitamin B12?

Hemoglobin in red blood cells has 4 heme molecules, each comprising a large ring structure called a porphyrin, at the center of which is iron (Fe) that binds oxygen. B12 also has a porphyrin structure that contains cobalt (Co) at the center. Both heme and B12 absorb blue and green light and reflects red light, giving them their bright red color.

Sources:
Words You May Not Know
No items found.
Who Wrote This X Fact
Jonathan Bortz MD
Bio Quick View

Jonathan’s background as a practicing diabetes specialist for 15 years and 17-year career developing nutritional prescriptive products for the pharmaceutical industry has contributed to his ability to understand nutrients, how they work and why they are important.

Over the years he has acquired broad and in-depth knowledge in minerals, essential fatty acids and other nutrients, but has special expertise in Vitamin B12 and choline metabolism. He is often asked to speak at national and international venues to articulate why B12, folate and choline are so important to gene function, brain development, liver and cardiovascular health. He applies pharmaceutical standards to nutrient science and has developed a unique ability to translate complicated concepts into simple promotional messages that resonate with practitioners and consumers. He has developed dozens of innovative nutritional products, of which many are category leaders in the US. Jonathan obtained his medical degree from the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School in South Africa and did his fellowship in Endocrinology at Washington University in St. Louis, MO.

Top Picks
Recent X Facts