The Benefits of Vitamin B12 Are Discussed
Benefits of
B12
Vitamin B12 is also called cobalmin. The vitamin has a biologically active coenzyme that helps in the treatment of anemia. The benefits of vitamin B12 help with the synthesis of both amino and fatty acids.
The vitamin helps to promote hemoglobin, and nerve cell growth, and maintenance.
B12 is sometimes used by various people to reduce stress, which is why it’s called the anti-stress vitamin.
In what foods can I find the benefits of Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is found in liver, eggs, fish, meat, dairy products, and soy beans. Brewer’s yeast cheese, milk, and yogurt have B12 also. Some sea vegetables, such as
dulse, kelp, komba, and nori are also sources of B12.
Vitamin B12 Benefits
Some of the benefits of B12 are that it may help pernicious anemia. The vitamin is also used to treat high homocysteine (an amino acid made from proteins that build up and can lead to heart disease) levels, heart disease, chronic fatigue system, and male infertility. Diabetes, bursitis, depression, psychiatric disorders, and osteoarthritis could also benefit from B12.
Other conditions that can be treated are sleep disorders, memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, tendonitis, and
immunosupression. Aids can also benefit from supplementation with B12 according to various studies. Other conditions that B12 may benefit, include Irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, and allergies. It may also prevent nerve damage and maintain fertility.
This vitamin is very important for the formation and regeneration of red blood cells, the body’s manufacture of DNA and RNA (our cell’s genetic material), and the correct working of bodily nerves. On top of this, vitamin B12 works synergistically, together, with other vitamins (the main one is folic acid) to lower homocysteine levels. People with high homocysteine are more at risk of heart disease, and if levels are to high for long periods of time, this could eventually lead to heart attacks.
Other functions and benefits are the vitamins role as an oxygen carrier, metabolizing fat, alleviating neurological disorders, and boosting ones immune system.
Can I be deficient in the vitamin B12?
B12 deficiencies are rare however they do occur. Signs of deficiency may include changes in mental functioning - can look like senility. Memory loss, tingling and numbness of the extremities, moodiness, insomnia and dizziness could also occur. Poor balance, enlarged liver, eye problems, hallucinations, headaches, inflammation of the tongue, breathing trouble, neurological damage, palpitations, and/or ringing in the ears, may also occur in the presence of deficiency.
People who are at risk for deficiency are vegetarians and smokers. People with digestive problems, gastric bypass, or partial stomach removal, may not be able to make enough vitamin B12 and may benefit from supplementation.
Our Precautions
Toxicity of Vitamin B12 is pretty much unknown among healthy individuals. If there are excess amounts of this vitamin in the body, the vitamin is excreted in the urine.
According to the "New Encyclopedia Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, & Herbs" by Nicola Reavley "Large amounts of folic acid can mask anemia caused by Vitamin B12 deficiency. Although this is rare, in some cases it may lead to permanent nerve damage." pg. 108
We found out the author of this book recommends that anyone with anemia not take more than 400 mcg of folic acid each day, unless pernicious amenia is first ruled out by your professional doctor.
Our Personal Opinion
While vitamin B12 can be stored in large amounts by the body, estimates by many experts believe around 20% of older people may have a deficiency in this vitamin. Because of this, we personally believe middle-aged to older people should consider this vitamin as part of their nutritional regimen after having first discussed it with their personal physicians. We also believe that, vegetarians may also have a significant vitamin B12 deficiency because we have found out that the highest sources of vitamin B12 come from animal products.
Our Tips For Selecting A Vitamin B12 Supplement
1. Vitamin B12 should always be taken with folic acid because they work together. Let us illustrate, Reader's Digest book "The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs" states: Buy a folic acid supplement that also contains vitamin B12 (too much of one can mask a deficiency in the other)." pg 293
The important mineral calcium, on top of this, cannot be absorbed by the human body when vitamin B12 is not present. Because of this, we advise, generally, that you take your vitamin B12 supplement as a part of a comprehensive, scientifically balanced formula, unless of course you have a specific reason where you may want to take higher dosages of vitamin b12 for certain therapeutic benefits.
2. Nutritional supplements are largely unregulated in the U.S. and UK, and consumers only have a 1 in 5 chance of buying a product with the actual ingredients stated on the label. For this reason, we advise you purchase your nutritional supplements from pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities, such places comply with the strictest highest regulatory standards in the world.
3. Make sure your vitamin B12 supplement does not contain any fillers or additives (examples include: sugar, starch, gluten, silica (sand!)) or any artificial colors or flavors of any kind.
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Their most popular product, and the product we personally use and personally recommend, and get testimonials from, is Total Balance, which in itself contains the benefits of vitamin B12, folic acid – a must needed nutrient for Vitamin B12 to work effectively, and calcium ( calcium also needs Vitamin b12 for correct absorption, along with the full spectrum of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, potent herbal extracts, and many speciality nutrients.
To be honest with you, Total Balance contains almost every nutrient we have personally discussed on this entire web site!
Nutritional-Supplement-Guides not only recommend this alternative health product, but also, we personally use this supplement as the foundation of our own health regime, and have done now, for over 2 years with excellent health benefits.
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