Vitamin B12 and Health

Vitamin B12, or cobalmin, is an aid in the synthesis of amino and fatty acids, and its active coenzyme is effective against anemia. Known, for its stress-alleviating qualities, as the “anti-stress” vitamin, Vitamin B12 assists in the production of hemoglobin, and the growth and maintenance of healthy nerve cells.

High protein foods--liver, meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products yogurt, milk, and cheese, and for the vegetarians, soybeans—are all excellent sources of B12; Brewer’s yeast and the sea plants dulse, nori, kelp, and komba also contain significant B12 amounts.

A possible aid in fighting pernicious anemia, B12 can lower high blood homocysteine levels and fight the heart disease to which they lead; it has been used to help sufferers of psychiatric disorders, depression, memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease, and sleep disorders. It is a treatment for musculoskeletal conditions osteoarthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis, and for respiratory allergies and asthma. It may help victims of immunosuppressive diseases like AIDS, as well as those of chronic fatigue syndrome and male infertility.

Although rare, B12 deficiencies do develop, especially among vegetarians and smokers. They exhibit as a broad range of symptoms. They may appear as mental impairment, often resembling senility, with memory loss, insomnia, and moodiness. B12 deficiency can cause ringing of the ears and poor balance, heart palpitations and nerve damage, dizziness and numbness of the hands and feet, visual and respiratory difficulties, enlargement of the liver and tongue inflammation.

Those who have digestive difficulties, or have undergone gastric bypass or partial stomach removal surgeries, may not be able to produce sufficient Vitamin B12 naturally, and are good candidates for Vitamin B12 supplementation.

Things to Watch For

Because excess B12 excreted in the urine, it rarely reaches toxic levels.
Nicola Reavley, in the "New Encyclopedia Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, & Herbs" writes: “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." p. 108

This author also advises that anyone with anemia not take more than 400 mcg of folic acid each day unless their physician has already eliminated the possibility of pernicious anemia.

Our Take on the Matter

Although the body can store large amounts of Vitamin B12, many experts estimate that up to 20% of older people may have a B12 deficiency. We personally believe middle-aged to older people would benefit, after clearing it with their physicians, from adding this vitamin to their nutritional regimen. We are additionally concerned that, because animal products are the best dietary sources of Vitamin B12, vegetarians may have a significant vitamin B12 deficiency.

How to Decide on A Vitamin B12 Supplement

1. Always take Vitamin B12 with folic acid; they work together. Reader's Digest book "The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs" advises: “Buy a folic acid supplement that also contains vitamin B12 (too much of one can mask a deficiency in the other)." P. 293

Our bodies, in addition, can’t absorb calcium unless it is accompanied by VitaminB12. So our general recommendation is that, unless you want higher dosages of B12 for specific therapeutic benefits, you take vitamin B12 as part of a comprehensive, scientifically balanced formula.

2. Because nutritional supplements production in the U.S. and UK is largely unregulated consumers there have about a 20% chance of finding of supplements which actually have the label-listed ingredients. So we are advising that you get nutritional supplements produced at pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities, which adhere to the world’s highest regulatory standards.

3. Verify your vitamin B12 supplement has no fillers or additives like starch, gluten, sugar, silica, or synthetic colors and flavors.

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A Comprehensive Supplement We Personally Use

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Their best-selling supplement, which we personally use, recommend, and regularly receive testimonials about, is Total Balance. Total Balance offers the benefits of vitamin B12, and its necessary companion folic acid, and calcium, which cannot be properly absorbed in the absence of B12.

Total Balance also includes nearly seventy other nutrients, including the full spectrum of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and active herbal extracts. Total Balance, believe it or not, supplies nearly all the nutrients discussed on this entire web site!

We at Nutritional-Supplement-Guides not only recommend Total Balance; we have personally used it, with outstanding results, as the foundation of our health regimen for over two years!

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