Vitamin B12 is essential for maintaining health and fitness. It strengthens many of the processes that keep us healthy and energetic. It helps our body absorb calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iodine, and many other nutrients.
It is dissolvable in water and found in daily food menus. Some of the essential health benefits of Vitamin B12 are maintaining your kidneys’ health and regulating the production of vitamin D.
For your body to produce RBCs, vitamin B12 is needed. It helps keep your bones healthy. Vitamin B 12 is also necessary for maintaining healthy skin and nerves.
Healthy blood cells help prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol and keeping your arteries clean.
- Vitamin B12 is essential for DNA repair and proper cell growth and development.
- It plays a key role in preventing macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
- B12 deficiency is more common in women due to menstruation, childbirth, and menopause.
- A lack of Vitamin B12 can increase the risk of neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis.
- Low levels of B12 may contribute to cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and aneurysms.
- Pecuniary anemia, linked to B12 deficiency, is known as the “silent killer” due to its lack of early symptoms.
- Gout symptoms, such as joint tenderness and swelling, can worsen due to B12 insufficiency
Other health benefits of Vitamin B12 are:
1. Makes New Blood Cells and Nerves
B 12 helps make new blood cells and nerves. Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in women, owing to menstruation, childbirth, and menopause.
The average lifetime risk for vitamin B 12 deficiencies is 50%. However, there are many health benefits for women who do not have adequate levels of this vitamin.
It is involved in certain complex DNA formations such as DNA repair, DNA synthesis, and growth and development.
2. Prevents Macular Degeneration
Besides its health benefits, vitamin B 12 is crucial in preventing macular degeneration. When a person reaches middle age, they develop macular degeneration.
This age-related condition is the leading cause of vision loss, occurring as the body breaks down the photoreceptors in the eye.
Studies show that those who do not have adequate vitamin B 12 experience more severe vision loss sooner and suffer more significant side effects than those who take supplements regularly.
3. Prevents Hyper Homocysteine Levels
Women may also be at an increased risk of developing hyperhomocysteine levels.
An increased risk of cardiac illnesses, such as heart attacks and strokes, is linked with elevated levels of nervous homocysteine.
Women typically have lower than average levels of homocysteine in their bodies, which is why they are at a reduced risk of developing this disease.
It is possible to decrease the risk of getting this illness with a balanced diet, frequent exercise, and a daily multivitamin. Women who smoke or use psychoactive substances may also consider taking a dietary supplement.
Dietary Source of Vitamin B12
There are several dietary sources of vitamin B12 for people of all ages. These dietary sources include:
- Meats
- Fish
- Egg yolks
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Legumes
Meats and egg yolks are the highest in vitamin B12; however, they must be organic to ensure that you receive all the recommended amounts.
Low-fat Diet
Some studies show that low-fat diets are better for promoting good intestinal health and, therefore, may be beneficial in lowering your risk of developing conditions like eczema and osteoporosis.
Nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains are all excellent dietary choices as they are high in other essential nutrients, including B12, which means you are getting all the B12 you need.
How Much Vitamin B12 Should You Take?
The recommended daily intake of vitamin B12 is 100 mcg, just a little over a teaspoonful.
It is essential to keep in mind that you will have a higher level of it when you first take a daily supplement. Suppose you experience an elevated blood level of homocysteine or a decreased level of vitamin B12.
In that case, talk to your doctor right away.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms
It is important to note that symptoms of vitamin b 12 deficiencies may vary significantly from person to person.
The degree of the deficit may also affect the symptoms. Besides the above symptoms, vitamin b 12 deficiencies may lead to pancreatitis, liver disease, and pancreatic cancer.
The following symptoms characterize vitamin b12 insufficiency.
- Tiredness or exhaustion
- muscle weakness
- Anemia
- nausea
- vomiting
- anorexia
- pale skin
- mouth sores
- poor appetite
- A bleed in the gums
What Happens if You Don’t have Enough Vitamin B12 in Your Diet?
The deficiency of vitamin B 12 results in decreased red cell production and stops them from forming correctly.
Healthy red blood cells are round, pear-shaped, and large compared to cell production in your skin and nerves. Vitamin B12 insufficiency may create a variety of problems since the quantity of these cells diminishes.
As we age, the vitamin B12 in our blood drops, leading to various severe medical conditions.
When vitamin B12 levels are low, dementia is a frequent complication. People with vitamin B12 deficiency who do not respond to treatment are at risk of developing complications, such as:
- Low blood clotting
- Anemia
- Osteoporosis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neurological disorders
- Kidney failure
- Increased risk of stroke
- Heart disease
- Increased risk of type 2 diabetes
Below, we explore some risks of vitamin B12 deficiency:
Developing Osteoporosis
Vitamin B12 deficiency can increase the risk of osteoporosis, weakening the bones that affect everyone as we age.
Women are more likely to develop vitamin b12 deficiency because of their monthly menstrual cycle, which increases the number of hormones needed to maintain normal bone tissue.
A woman’s normal menstrual cycle typically ranges from one to two weeks, so a person might not detect a significant Vitamin B12 deficiency until their bone tissue has deteriorated.
Risks of Contracting Pecuniary Anaemia
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also increase the risks of contracting pecuniary anemia.
This condition results from reduced production of hemoglobin, the substance that carries oxygen.
Pecuniary anemia is sometimes referred to as “the silent killer” because it does not show any symptoms during its early development stages.
A person with financial anemia has insufficient blood levels of Vitamin B12 to maintain healthy bone tissue.
One way to determine whether vitamin b12 deficiency has caused a patient to develop pecuniary anemia is by measuring the ratio of red blood cells to white blood cells.
A low vitamin B12 ratio shows a vitamin B12 insufficiency. Patients taking certain medications containing iron that interfere with vitamin b12 absorption are at an incredibly high risk of developing this condition.
Affect the Brain, Heart, and Lung Tissues
Besides reducing the ability of the body to absorb vitamin B12, low levels of this substance can also affect the brain, heart, and lung tissues.
Studies have shown a relationship between low levels of homocysteine and the development of cerebrovascular problems like stroke, aneurysms, or brain cancer).
In addition, people who suffer from cardiovascular disease are at increased risk of developing low homocysteine levels in their bodies.
Vitamin B12 supplements may help to reduce the risk of developing these conditions.
Recurrent Infections
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause recurrent infections, which often begin in middle age or after menopause.
Symptoms of vitamin B12 weakness vary according to where the deficiency occurs. Still, symptoms can be similar in many patients.
Defects can occur in the intestines, lungs, or skin.
Patients may experience frequent bloating, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, or abdominal pain in the intestines.
Megaloblastic Anaemia
Another common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency is megaloblastic anemia, which occurs when the body does not absorb enough nutrients.
An abnormal accumulation of tissue in the bone marrow (called osteomalacia) characterizes Megaloblastic anemia.
This condition usually causes anemia, increased susceptibility to infection, joint and muscular weakness, fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, and nausea.
The diagnosis of megaloblastic anemia requires the use of X-rays, CT scan, or computed tomography.
Symptoms related to gout
Vitamin B12 deficiency may also cause symptoms related to gout.
Patients may experience frequent urination, tenderness in the joints, bleeding, painful swelling, and inflammation of the knuckles.
Takeaway
If you are trying to prevent the onset of heart disease, it is crucial to take vitamin b12 supplements regularly. It is also important to note that while supplements can provide some health benefits of vitamin B12, they should not be relied on entirely to cure or prevent any health problem.
The sooner you recognize and remedy the situation, the better your chances of avoiding serious health complications.
Even if you are experiencing symptoms of vitamin B12 insufficiency, such as tiredness and anemia, it is always a good idea to increase your diet by eating more whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables.
By eating these, you can easily avail the health benefits of this vitamin.
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