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Avoiding Vitamin B12 Deficiency

30th November, 2010 - Posted by health news - No Comments

The vitamin B12 is one of the B vitamins that are important to maintain a healthy body. Often known as Cobalamin, the B12 vitamin is needed for the systems to convert the carbohydrates, fats and proteins from food into energy. Vitamin B12 also, more importantly, helps keep the red blood cells healthy and therefore prevent heart problems as well as keeping the immunological system functioning at its maximum level. In addition, vitamin B12 is used to create the protective covering of all nerve cells in the body.

The most significant function of B12 is to form healthy red blood cells. However , all cells need vitamin B12 to keep them healthy. It’s the white blood cells, amongst others, that need vitamin B12 to help ensure that the immune system functioning properly. All of the nerve cells in the body also need vitamin B12 to form their protective fatty layer. This is necessary for all of the nerves but is especially so for those in the brain. If there is not sufficient vitamin B12 to make this protective layer then the brain may not be functioning properly.

Apparently the amount of vitamin B12 the body needs is comparatively small but is needed on a consistent basis. However , vitamin B12 by itself isn’t enough as the body can’t absorb it easily. To help the body absorb vitamin B12 the belly produces intrinsic factor which will enable more of the vitamin B12 to be absorbed. Vitamin B12 is only found in animal foods like liver, eggs, fish and beef but most people consume far more than their recommended daily amount.

This isn’t a problem as the body can only absorb about 1/2 the vitamin B12 that is consumed. It’s also worth noting the body can recycle the B12 which eases back on the impact of a vitamin B12 deficiency. Nonetheless strict vegetarians or vegans are likely to need vitamin B12 additions if they don’t eat any animal products that contain this crucial vitamin.

If the body hasn’t got enough vitamin B12 then anemia is the most obvious symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Obviously, this is because of the fact that there is not enough vitamin B12 to make healthy red blood cells. Anemia can also be caused by the body not making enough intrinsic factor to help soak up the vitamin B12 that is available in the food consumed. Occasionally, all that is wanted to restore the proper levels of B12 to the body is a straightforward change in diet, with more protein, as an example. But for most the best and easiest method to correct a vitamin B12 deficiency is to go through vitamin B12 injections or to take vitamin B12 additions.

Many that do so report major and fast enhancements in stamina, energy and overall well being.

The body tends to makes less inbuilt factor once an individual reaches fifty and this will lead directly to less vitamin B12 being soaked up and additions of vitamin B12 could be needed. Children are also in jeopardy from anemia because they may not eat the food that contain vitamin B12.

Pregnant women need more vitamin B12 as the baby is absorbing vitamin B12 during the pregnancy to grow properly.