Health Benefits of Vitamin B12

In order to maintain a healthy mind and body, there are many vitamins that you need. Among those, an important one is vitamin B12. This vitamin can be acquired by eating foods like beef, chicken, fish, eggs, yogurt, cheese, and more. But aside from those, you can also take supplements to increase the vitamin B12 in your body. You just need to remember that when taking this vitamin, you need to find a product that is made with essentially pure ingredients.

Vitamin B12 is also called cobalamin. It is one of the important vitamins that the body needs but cannot produce naturally. As mentioned earlier, vitamin B12 can be found in animal products, and it is sometimes added to certain foods and also available as an oral supplement or injection. It has a lot of roles in the body, such as supporting the natural function of the nerve cells, which is needed for the formation of red blood cells and DNA synthesis. For adults, the recommended daily intake of vitamin B12 is 2.4 mcg in general but should be higher for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

If you want to know more about what this vitamin can offer your body, read on as we’re giving you a list of the health benefits of vitamin B12.

1. Vitamin B12 can help with red blood cell formation and can prevent anemia

 

Vitamin B12 plays an important role when it comes to producing red blood cells in your body. When your body is low in this vitamin, it causes a reduction in red blood cell formation and also prevents them from developing correctly. When the red blood cells are healthy, they are small and round. However, if you have a vitamin B12 deficiency, the red blood cells become larger and oval in shape.

Due to their irregular and larger shape, they are unable to move from the bone marrow going to the bloodstream at a proper rate. This scenario causes megaloblastic anemia. And when you have anemia, it means that your body does not have enough red blood cells to bring oxygen to your vital organs, causing symptoms like weakness and fatigue. If you are looking for an effective vitamin B12 supplement to prevent anemia, you can try Wellabs’ vitamin B12 drops which you can buy at https://shopwellabs.com/products/wellabs-vitamin-b-12-drops.

2. Vitamin B12 may help prevent major birth defects

 

It is important to maintain adequate vitamin B12 levels for pregnant women. Based on studies, the brain and nervous system of a fetus need enough B12 levels from the mother for them to develop properly. Having vitamin B12 deficiency in the beginning stages of pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects, like neural tube defects. Aside from that, it may also result in premature birth or miscarriage.

Therefore, vitamin B12 is very important for a healthy pregnancy and to avoid brain and spinal cord birth defects.

3. Vitamin B12 might help prevent dementia

Another benefit that you can get from vitamin B12 is slowing down brain atrophy, which is the overall shrinkage in brain volume and loss of neurons. These are what cause diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. These can make it challenging for people to function independently in society.

Vitamin B12 is vital for a well-functioning brain and nervous system. Even though there is no evidence that vitamin B12 supplements improve memory loss in those who are already suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, it might play a role in preventing it instead.

4. Vitamin B12 may support bone health and help prevent osteoporosis

Maintaining adequate vitamin B12 may also help support bone health. When the bones have decreased mineral density, they can become delicate and fragile, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis. In fact, some studies have shown a link between low vitamin B12 levels and poor bone health, and osteoporosis, most commonly in women.

5. Vitamin B12 may help reduce the risk of macular degeneration

Macular degeneration is a type of eye disease that affects the central vision. Maintaining enough levels of vitamin B12 may help in preventing the risk of acquiring age-related macular degeneration. It’s because this vitamin can lower homocysteine, which is an amino acid found in the bloodstream, causing eye disease. However, further studies are still needed to fully understand the role of vitamin B12 in promoting healthy vision.

6. Vitamin B12 supports healthy hair, skin, and nails

Your hair, skin, and nails can also be supported by vitamin B12 by giving them oxygen. Some people who have vitamin B12 deficiency may experience vitiligo. It is a condition where the skin has discolored patches or hyperpigmentation. It can also slow hair growth. In this case, adding vitamin B12 to your diet or taking a supplement may be essential to improve these conditions.

These are some of the benefits that you can get from vitamin B12. Keep in mind that the amount of vitamin B12 a person needs depends on age. Therefore, before taking vitamin B12 supplements, consult with your doctor first to know the right dose that is perfect for you. Also, do not forget to include healthy foods that are rich in this vitamin in your diet.