The Essential Guide to Vitamin B12: Importance and source of the nutrient, and deficiency signs.

The Essential Guide to Vitamin B12: Importance and source of the nutrient, and deficiency signs.

Introduction

Do you know that it is used in the body for carrying out essential activities in the body as well as contribute to its health? On the other hand, the awareness of the general public regarding this vitamin and how one can safely consume it is relatively low. It is now necessary to talk about why this vitamin is necessary, what products contain it, and what a person can meet when there is a deficiency in this vitamin.

 

Sources of Vitamin B12

Importance of Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, plays a critical role in:

• Red Blood Cell Formation: Stopping you from getting anemic and keeping more of that energy.
• DNA Synthesis: Cell division and growth regulation by other related proteins.
• Nervous System Health: Preserving nerve cells as well as averting neurological problems.
• Energy Production: Aiding in the process of metamorphosing food into one of the human body natural necessities for proper functioning which is energy.

 

Sources of Vitamin B12

You can find Vitamin B12 naturally in animal products, including:

• Liver and kidneys, meat in general
• Fish and Shellfish
• Poultry
• Eggs
• Milk and products from it inclusive of cheese and yoghurt

Vegans can get B12 from food fortified with it such as certain breakfast cereals, plant-based milk, and nutritional yeast and can take supplements to get enough of it.

 

Causes of Deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency can result from:

• Dietary Restrictions: Frequent in people with restricted diet mainly on vegetables and grains.
• Malabsorption Issues: This may be due to symptoms related to pernicious anemia or some gastroenterological pathology.
• Medications: Some of the drugs for example the proton pump inhibitors or metformin among others.

 

Symptoms of Deficiency

Watch out for signs such as:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Anemia
• Tingling or even paralysis in the extremities of the body such arms or legs
• Some of the symptoms commonly associated with dementia include; Memory loss and poor thinking abilities.
• Difficulty maintaining balance
• Infection with the HIV virus is characterized by: Glossitis, or soreness of the tongue, and mouth ulcers.

 

Conclusion

Vitamin B12 as we know it is an important nutrient that we ought to take in enough quantity for our health benefits. In case of any deficiency, one should seek medical advice from a qualified doctor for right diagnosis and treatment. Just remind that along with B12, you should eat much and varied; your food should include elements that will keep your body good.