Vitamins : What is Vitamin B12?

Article by Hailee Lossen

What is Vitamin B12? Vitamin B12 is also known as Cobalamin. This is an important water-soluble vitamin. This vitamin is stored in the kidney, liver, and other body tissues. Some of you may ask what is Vitamin B12 and its importance? The answer to that question is for your brain and nervous system to normally function. Also, storing this vitamin up to 10 mg for a year or more in your liver will prevent you from anemia. It also helps in the formation of the blood and metabolism, especially affecting DNA regulation and synthesis. The oral intake of Vitamin B12 is safe and efficient. You also don’t have to worry of its price because Vitamin B12 is affordable. However, Vitamin B12 supplements should be avoided in people sensitive or allergic to cobalamin, cobalt, or any other product ingredients. After discussing the overview of what is Vitamin B12, here are some tips on where to find this vitamin, Vitamin B12 deficiency, and treatment.

What is Vitamin B12 and where to find it:Vitamin B12 can be found in foods that are produced or originated in animals. These include cheese, eggs, dairy, lamb’s liver, meat, fish, and poultry. There are also reports that small amount of this vitamin can also be found in seaweed and tempeh. Although, fruits and vegetables could only give you a small amount of Vitamin B12.

What is Vitamin B12 and its deficiency causes:People who live vegetarian lifestyles are believed to have Vitamin B12 deficiency. This is also for the reason that vegetable is not a good source of Vitamin B12. The elderly people are also believed to acquire deficiency due to intrinsic factors. Furthermore, the use of medications to reduce stomach acid, problems with the pancreas, and excessive alcohol intake can all contribute to this deficiency. Common findings associated with deficiency include paresthesias, numbness, sore tongue, tingling of the legs, weakness, and dementia.

What is Vitamin B12 and treatment of deficiency:Treating this deficiency is easy if you will eat foods that are rich in Vitamin B12. You can also resort to other alternatives and take oral supplements of Vitamin B12. The treatment of this deficiency can vary from mild disease to acute and chronic disease. In the mild form, oral replacement over a period of time along with a balanced diet is enough cure this deficiency. However, if you are experiencing acute and chronic forms, lifelong replacement is a prerequisite. That’s why the importance in knowing what is Vitamin B12 should not be taken for granted.

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