Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that contributes to the healthy functioning of our body. As it is not produced by our body and we need to get it from animal-based foods. Hence, there is a need to consume vitamin B12 rich food regularly to maintain good health. Vitamin B12 supplements are a good alternative to make sure that an individual doesn’t suffer from any severe deficiency disorders.
B12 and Its Significance
Vitamin B12 is water-soluble having a significant role in brain function and healthy nervous health. It is required for synthesizing of myelin- a fatty substance that forms a layer around the axons and enables quick transmission of brain signals.
Vitamin B12 also helps in the formation of red blood cells. Moreover, it contributes to the synthesis of DNA and metabolism of fatty acid and amino acid. Vitamin B12 supplements can be very useful at the same time.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B-12 deficiency is not a very common condition in America. In case you are unsure get a blood test done to diagnose yourself or consult a doctor.
Common factors that lead to vitamin B12 deficiency could be aging or heavy alcohol consumption. Weight loss surgery, removal of parts of the stomach or long-term consumption of acid-reducing medication could also lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency.
A vegan diet could be another obvious reason for incurring deficiency as there is no source of animal-based food intake. Such a person’s daily requirement would not be met and slowly lead to a deficiency.
A few disorders could also lead to lack of B12 in your body. These are-
Effects of Deficiency
The most immediate and common health effect of B12 is anemia. If one cannot manage the intake of vitamin B12 supplements, then this may lead to severe disorders. Mild deficiencies usually do not cause any serious harm although if it is untreated it could get severe and lead to:
Dosage
Vitamin B12 supplements need to be taken in a balanced amount to get effective results. There is a minimum threshold or requirement of vitamin B12, depending on age.
Recommended dietary amounts for
In all cases, a doctor or at least a pharmacist must be consulted before taking supplements. This would ensure you are taking the correct dosage and prevent the condition from getting worse.
Natural Vitamin B-12 Supplements
Not everybody needs to opt for supplements in case of mild deficiency. Unless you are vegan you can meet vitamin B12 requirements by simply increasing or introducing animal-based foods in your diet.
Best sources of food having vitamin B12 are:
Top 5 Vitamin B12 Supplements In The US
Among 13 of the top sellers in vitamin B12 supplements, the following rank as top five. The analysis has been conducted by Labdoor, based on active ingredient content and contamination levels(arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury):
Vitamin B12 deficiency although is not a common occurrence, but it is a condition that should be treated and looked at immediately. If you experience, relevant symptoms do get yourself diagnosed and start compensating for deficiencies. You can opt for Vitamin B12 natural or supplement pills, but make sure you are taking the right dosage. Vitamin B12 is a necessary vitamin for healthy physical and mental functioning. Hence, it should never be ignored.
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