What Are The Health Benefits of Vitamin B12?
What Are TheHealth Benefits of Vitamin B12? - Various vitamins and minerals are needed
so that the body can function properly. Perhaps one of the most taken for
granted essential vitamins is vitamin B12. Also known as cobalamin, vitamin B12
is just one of the B complex vitamins.
The other B complex vitamins are B1 (thiamine), B2
(riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin),
and B9 (folic acid or folate). Generally, the B complex vitamins help in
converting carbohydrates into glucose, which the body uses to produce energy.
So what are
the benefits of Vitamin B12?
One of the important uses of B12 is that it aids in
the replication of DNA for new cells. This means that B12 deficiency can lead
to the abnormal replication of DNA. As a result, new and healthy cells cannot be
generated, and this can lead to various medical conditions and illnesses.
The vitamin is also needed for the production of red
blood cells and for iron to work better in the body. In addition, it supports
normal function of nerve cells.
In fact, long-term deficiency of the substance can
result to permanent nerve damage, so it is important to detect vitamin B12
deficiency as early as possible.
There are various symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency.
These include overall weakness, fatigue, irritability and mood changes,
numbness or tingling in hands or feet, and irritation of the mouth and the
tongue.
Moreover, the most serious sign of lack of the
substance is impaired brain function. Another thing that should be taken into
consideration is that among the B complex vitamins, only B12 can prevent
dementia.
To avoid the effects of lack of Vitamin B12, one
should make sure his or her diet includes foods that are good sources of the
vitamin. It is mostly found in animal foods, such as meat, shellfish, eggs,
poultry, milk, and milk products.
However, some people do not absorb the appropriate
amount of B12 needed by the body because of their diet or because of certain
medical conditions such as gastritis and pancreatic disease. Thus, taking
Vitamin B12 complex dietary supplement helps prevent B12 deficiency.
Many of the vitamins and minerals that the body needs
to keep it healthy are unknown to many. They tend to focus only on one or two
that they think are more important.
Vitamin B12, for instance, is overlooked, yet it
performs essential functions to keep the body healthy. This is one good reason
why people should get themselves informed especially when it comes to their
health.