Researchers have provided vitamin B12 information proving that this vitamin is essential for maintaining a healthy functioning body.
What Is Vitamin B12?
Known as cobalamin and cyanocobalamin, vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is very important to many functions of the human body. However, absorbing this vitamin for use is very difficult. In order for absorption to take place easily, the following processes must take place.
- During digestion our bodies produce hydrochloric acid.
- The hydrochloric acid releases the vitamin B12 found naturally in protein foods.
- The stomach then produces an intrinsic factor, which is the name of a glycoprotein made by the parietal cells of the stomach.
- The intrinsic factor binds with the vitamin B12 allowing it to be easily absorbed through the intestines for use.
The Functions of Vitamin B12
Although we only need vitamin B12 in small amounts, it is an essential nutrient in maintaining many healthy body functions. These functions include:
- Maintaining a healthy normal nervous system
- Creating a protective fatty layer that covers all of the nerve cells
- Metabolizing protein, fat and carbohydrates
- DNA replication
- Manufacturing red blood cells
- Increasing energy levels
- Producing a substance that affects and enhances mood
- Preventing anemia
- Promoting growth in children
- Helping in the absorption of calcium
- Controlling homocysteine levels which leads to a decreased risk of stroke, coronary disease, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's
- Ensuring the immune system is functioning at its optimal level
When there is a deficiency of vitamin B12, almost every tissue in the human body is affected.
Foods that Contain Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 occurs naturally in the protein we get from animals, fish and poultry. The highest levels are found in liver, organ meats and mollusks. The following are other foods that contain vitamin B12:
- Beef- higher levels are in cuts of muscle meat
- Pork
- Lamb
- Venison
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Duck
- Shellfish
- Fish
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Fortified breakfast cereals
- Fortified energy bars
- Fortified soy products
Vegetarians and Vitamin B12
Anyone following a vegetarian or vegan diet needs to take special care to ensure that they are getting adequate amounts of vitamin B12 in their diet. Many proponents of vegetarian and vegan lifestyles today, such as The Vegetarian Resource Group and the Vegetarian Society recommend taking a vitamin B12 nutritional supplement and adding foods fortified with vitamin B12 to their diets.
Vitamin B12 Supplements
Supplements for vitamin B12 are available in several different methods.
- Injections of vitamin B12
- The vitamin B12 patch is applied directly onto clean, dry skin once a week. Each patch delivers a dosage of 1000 mcg.
- Sublingual vitamin B12 pill and lozenge supplements are placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve for fast absorption into the bloodstream.
- Sublingual vitamin B12 liquid drops are applied under the tongue and held there until they are absorbed.
- Sublingual vitamin B12 capsules are punctured using a pin or a needle. You then squirt the liquid under your tongue until it has been absorbed.
- Vitamin B12 pills and capsules are swallowed with water.
- Vitamin B12 lozenges are chewed.
- Liquid vitamin B12 comes in vials.
- Vitamin B12 in a nasal spray.
Vitamin B12 Information and Resources
The Internet has many valuable websites for finding vitamin B12 information.
- Drug interactions
- Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
- Treating vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
High Risk Groups for Vitamin B12 Deficiency
There are certain groups of people who have a higher risk level of a vitamin B12 deficiency occurring. Anyone in one of these higher risk groups should have a CBC blood test to check their vitamin B12 levels. The test should be administered on a semi-annual or annual basis to monitor the levels. If you have been diagnosed with any of the following, or fall into one of the classified groups, you are considered at high risk for vitamin B12 deficiency.
- A history of pernicious anemia which is caused by the lack of the intrinsic factor
- A family history of pernicious anemia
- A history of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
- Anyone more than 50 years old
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Diabetic
- Crohn's disease
- Celiac disease
- Whipple's disease
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
- Gastrointestinnal condition
- Malabsorption condition
- Chronic alcoholics
Conclusion
Eating a healthy, balanced diet and taking vitamin B12 supplements if needed, is important to maintaining overall good health.
