Vitamin B12 and Its Benefits

By James A. Tang
Vitamin B12 is one of the eight B vitamins. It is also known as cobalamin. It plays a vital role in the proper functioning of the brain and the nervous system. It also helps in the formation of blood in our body. Mainly, its work is to form cells. This vitamin helps to make strong red blood cells.

Vitamin b12 is found in foods like meat, dairy products, shell fish and some vegetables. However, most people don't have the need to worry about the furnishing of this vitamin inside their body but these must be taken to preserve a good health. It is very important for us to know about vitamin B12 and its advantages. These are as follows:

Function
Vitamin B12 is very necessary to form our genetic DNA along with healthy red blood cells and strong nerve cells. The acids present in our stomach discharges the B12 found in our food. Then it mixes with a protein known as intrinsic factor. After this process, it gets absorbed in our blood.

Time Frame
Our body can store up to one year's value of B12 in the liver. Therefore you don't need to worry about its availability inside your body. People, who are above 65 years of age, can suffer from its deficiency. To avoid such circumstances you must take foods like chicken/meat, eggs and raisins.

Benefits
This vitamin is must for those who suffer from megaloblastic anemia. Megaloblastic anemia is an ailment where red blood cells turn thick and stop functioning properly. If a person is having B12 deficiency, a number of neurological problems can occur in his body like vision problems, weakness in muscles, incontinence and dementia.

Another disease which is known as Pernicious anemia may occur in a person's body if the B12 supply is insufficient. In this case the patient will be required to take B12 supplements for the rest of his life or else he might become the victim of tiredness and sleepiness.

Size
You must not take too much of B12 in your diet. Your body has the capability to store as much as it requires, and the rest will leave your body through urine.

Deficiency
The deficiency of vitamin B12 gives rise to B12 deficiency anemia. In this case, the body stops manufacturing enough red blood cells and the body may also suffer from lack of oxygen. This is a very serious condition and must be cured as early as possible.

No comments:

Post a Comment