All about the nerve vitamin B12

All about the nerve vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient needed by the human body. It is water-soluble, found in many foods, and also available in supplement form.

But it turns out that vitamin B12 deficiency is more common than previously thought. Symptoms can range from extreme fatigue, mood problems and skin changes to more serious illnesses such as digestive problems, unusual memory loss, high heart rate and difficulty breathing, according to a report in the Times of India.

Vitamin B12 plays several roles in the body. Not only does it help boost energy and increase metabolism, but it also works to develop brain and nerve cells, while also facilitating DNA production.

Since the human body cannot produce vitamin B12, the best way to get adequate amounts of this vital vitamin is through natural sources such as animal products, seafood, eggs, poultry, and some forms of dairy. But although some vegetables and legumes contain vitamin B12, they don't provide as many nutrients as non-vegetarian foods.

Best Sources of Vitamin B12

The list of nutrients, which should be increased if a person needs higher levels of vitamin B12, includes:
- leben
- egg
- Yogurt
Fatty fish
red meat
- slugs
fortified cereals

'neural damage'

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that helps maintain a healthy nervous system, as well as the overall health of the body. According to the BMJ, a severe deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to "permanent neurological damage."

A healthy body notes that “the early manifestations are generally subtle or asymptomatic,” but it should be cautioned that if “neurological problems appear, they may be irreversible.”

5 important signals

A report from the British National Health Service (NHS) lists the neurological problems one can face if they lack vitamin B12 in the body:

vision problems
- memory loss
Loss of physical coordination (ataxia), which can affect the entire body and cause difficulty speaking or walking
Damage to parts of the nervous system (peripheral neuropathy), especially in the legs.

More symptoms

Aside from "neurological damage," a vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to a variety of other symptoms, which include:

Fatigue
headache
- Paleness and yellowing of the skin
Digestive problems
- Inflammation of the mouth and tongue
Sensation of tingling and needles in the hands and feet

Groups most at risk of vitamin deficiency

Everyone who does not get enough necessary nutrients is at risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency. While studies show that people aged 60 or older are more likely to have a vitamin B12 deficiency than other age groups, due to not making “enough stomach acid to properly absorb B12.”

Nutritional supplements

The reason why you should take supplements and fortified foods that contain vitamin B12 is because they contain it in its free form. Vitamin B12 is usually bound to food proteins. When it goes into the stomach, the hydrochloric acid and enzymes untie the vitamin from the protein and return it to its free form. Here the vitamin binds to intrinsic factor and is absorbed by the small intestine. Thus, the free presence of vitamin B12 in food supplements makes it easier to be absorbed by the intestines.

Ideally, people with a type of deficiency, which cannot be supplied by the food they eat, should take supplements. The reasons for taking vitamin B12 supplements include a wide list starting from the age group through stress levels to unhealthy eating habits, but although nutritional supplements are not medicines, you should consult a doctor before taking any of them, to avoid any complications other healthy.