What Is B12 Good For

Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient essential to good health, and if you have wondered 'what is B12 good for', you will learn the answers here.

Eggs are a source of vitamin B12.

Many nutrients are essential for good health and overall well being. One of these is vitamin B12. This is a naturally occurring vitamin essential for developing red blood cells and nerve cells. A deficiency of vitamin B12 can result in anemia and result in a far reaching effect on the overall health of the body.

The vitamin B12 is used by the body to stimulate its use of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats. As a result of this, it helps to boost the body's energy supplies. B12 is also essential for maintaining a healthy blood supply. While this is important in people during all stages of life, it is very important for pregnant or lactating women. Many doctors and nutritionists recommend that pregnant or lactating women take supplements. It is important for pregnant women to seek specialist advice when considering what supplements to take during their pregnancy.

Vitamin B12 can also support the body in other ways. It helps protect against memory loss and is reported to help slow mental deterioration.

The most significant side effect of a vitamin B12 deficiency is pernicious anemia and this may be accompanied by neurological problems. People who suffer from pernicious anemia were historically advised to eat plentiful amounts of liver. This is because liver contains a high proportion of vitamin B12. Modern vitamin B12 injections, however, are a more reliable way to take the vitamin and the dose can be tightly controlled. There are also diets for vitamin B12 deficiency which can help to boost the amount taken daily.

A variety of foods are rich in vitamin B12 and the recommended daily amount can be consumed eating a good well rounded diet. This includes dairy products and meat products such as liver and these can make good food sources for people with vitamin B12 deficiency.

Some foods are artificially fortified with vitamin B12. Vegans and some vegetarians may be deficient in vitamin B12. As such, fortified foods such as fortified tofu or soy milk can be a good alternative. It may be necessary for people whose diets do not include enough vitamin B12 to take the vitamin in supplemental form.

The body requires relatively small amounts of vitamin B12. It is estimated that the body needs between 1 – 6 micrograms of vitamin B12 a day. However, this is the amount that the body needs to absorb, so as well as ensuring that enough vitamin B12 is consumed, it is also important to ensure that it is being absorbed. Some people such as smokers or people taking certain prescription drugs may find that they absorb less vitamin B12 than is optimum, and should therefore take specialist advice.

There are many excellent sources of information about vitamin B12. If you want to research further regarding the answer to what is B12 good for then take a look at some of these websites. Remember that if you have any concerns over your health then it is always best to seek a specialist's advice.

• ODS – this website from the U.S. Government Office of Dietary Supplements has a wealth of information in an easy to understand form
• Vegetarian Society – important information about vitamin B12 for vegetarians and vegans
• NLM – lots of information from the U.S National Library of Medicine

Vitamin B12 is a surprisingly important nutrient. It is essential to our well being and while a relatively small amount is required, it has far reaching and long term benefits.

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