Vitamin B12 is a naturally occurring essential nutrient that can commonly be found in a variety of foods including fish, milk, meats, poultry, fortified breakfast cereals and eggs. This water-soluble vitamin is stored in the liver, assisting the body in several critical processes. There are also many other vitamin B12 benefits.
Vitamin B12 is essential to the human body’s ability to properly digest foods and absorb other nutrients. It is critical in the formation of DNA and also assists the body in keeping nerves and red blood cells in good condition. One of the Vitamin B12 benefits that was discovered as early as the 1940’s is the manner in which this vitamin defends the body against pernicious anemia. Because Vitamin B12 is critical to several important body functions it is possible for the body to develop a Vitamin B12 deficiency. This deficiency is usually reported with symptoms of fatigue. There has been much debate and concern about the possibility of individuals on a vegetarian diet being at risk for Vitamin B12 deficiency, due to the fact that this nutrient is commonly found in items that are excluded from true vegetarian diets. Other individuals who may be at risk for Vitamin B12 deficiency include patients with HIV, tinnitus and women who are pregnant. Further Vitamin B12 benefits include treatments for migraine headaches, male infertility, depression and asthma. There is an entire score of diseases that have found to be related to individuals who also present with Vitamin B12 deficiency. These include at a minimum: Cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia as well as several others.
Vitamin B12 interacts with other vitamins and nutrients such as folic acid and vitamin B6 in restricting the body’s production of homocysteine levels, associated with Alzheimer’s heart disease and stroke. There have been cases reported of an allergic reaction in individuals who have received injections of Vitamin B12, although none have been reported in oral supplements.
Vitamin B12 is available naturally as a component of several foods as well as oral supplements and in injection form. The most vitamin b12 benefits come from natural foods, however if this is not possible or supplements are needed, consumers should look for compounds that do not contain any additives, which may increase the weight and decrease the nutritional value.
Vitamin B12 is essential to the human body’s ability to properly digest foods and absorb other nutrients. It is critical in the formation of DNA and also assists the body in keeping nerves and red blood cells in good condition. One of the Vitamin B12 benefits that was discovered as early as the 1940’s is the manner in which this vitamin defends the body against pernicious anemia. Because Vitamin B12 is critical to several important body functions it is possible for the body to develop a Vitamin B12 deficiency. This deficiency is usually reported with symptoms of fatigue. There has been much debate and concern about the possibility of individuals on a vegetarian diet being at risk for Vitamin B12 deficiency, due to the fact that this nutrient is commonly found in items that are excluded from true vegetarian diets. Other individuals who may be at risk for Vitamin B12 deficiency include patients with HIV, tinnitus and women who are pregnant. Further Vitamin B12 benefits include treatments for migraine headaches, male infertility, depression and asthma. There is an entire score of diseases that have found to be related to individuals who also present with Vitamin B12 deficiency. These include at a minimum: Cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia as well as several others.
Vitamin B12 interacts with other vitamins and nutrients such as folic acid and vitamin B6 in restricting the body’s production of homocysteine levels, associated with Alzheimer’s heart disease and stroke. There have been cases reported of an allergic reaction in individuals who have received injections of Vitamin B12, although none have been reported in oral supplements.
Vitamin B12 is available naturally as a component of several foods as well as oral supplements and in injection form. The most vitamin b12 benefits come from natural foods, however if this is not possible or supplements are needed, consumers should look for compounds that do not contain any additives, which may increase the weight and decrease the nutritional value.
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