Cobalt is essential for humans because it is a part of vitamin B-12. This form of cobalt is obtainable from micro-organisms or from animal sources. Vegetable sources of cobalt are more important to animals that are ruminants (sheep and cattle). Cobalt deficiency in humans is like vitamin B-12 deficiency, with anaemia and nervous system problems. As little as 0.1 microgram cobalt as vitamin B-12 per day is needed by adults. Total cobalt intake may be in a range from 10 to 1800 micrograms per day. Cobalt in a different chemical form (i.e. not as part of vitamin B-12) will stimulate blood formation, but this is probably not a normal action.

When cobalt was used to stabilize beer froth, it was found to have a toxic effect on the heart. Its toxicity, at cobalt intakes of about 8000 micrograms per day, probably arose from its interaction with alcohol itself, and other nutritional problems created by alcohol.

COBALT INTAKE

A safe and adequate range of intake has not been specified.

 

FIGURE 57: COBALT CONTENT OF SOME FOODS

FOOD	COBALT CONTENT   (micrograms per 100 grams of food)
Green leafy vegetables Organ meats Muscle meats	20-60 15-25 7-12

Some cobalt is present as vitamin B-12 in foods of animal origin.

 

	Elements
	-	Sodium
	-	Potassium
	-	Calcium
	-	Magnesium
	-	Iron
	-	Phosporus
	-	Sulphur
	-	Chlorine
	-	Copper
	-	Zinc
	-	Iodine
	-	Fluorine
	-	Chromium
	-	Manganese
	-	Selenium
		Cobalt
	-	Molybdenum
	-	Nickel
	-	Tin
	-	Silicon
	-	Vanadium
	-	Cadmium

Also on this page:

-  Cobalt intake
-  Figure 57: Cobalt
   content of some food