Vitamin B Supplements- a Cure for Deficiency
Vitamin B12 or colbamin, a member of the Vitamin B family, is a very important for the normal functioning of the human body. Usually stored in the liver, the deficiency of vitamin B12 can result in several health problems. This is where vitamin B12 supplement helps.
Function of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 has several positive effects on the health of every individual. In case of a deficiency, Vitamin B12 supplements more than make up for its absence in the natural form. Some of the functions of Vitamin B12 are:
- Formation of red blood cells
- Prevention of anemia in conjunction with folate
- Maintenance of a healthy central nervous system
- Production of DNA
- Carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism
- Promotion of body growth in children
- Increasing the body energy
Food That Contains Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is naturally found in many animal products, such as eggs, milk, meat, poultry and fish. Clams, oysters and other bivalve mollusks are also a very good source of vitamin B12. If are a vegetarian, you can benefit from fortified cereals rich in Vitamin B12. Several B12 fortified foods are available. These include yeast extracts, vegetable stock, veggie burger mixes, textured vegetable protein, soya milks, vegetable and sunflower margarines, and breakfast cereals
Research has shown that the human body can store a large quantity of vitamin B12 in the liver, and these reserves can last for several years. So it’s rather uncommon for a deficiency for Vitamin B12 to occur unless there is prolonged poor intake of food. Total body store is 2-5mg in adults, 80% of which is stored in the liver.
Common Effects of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
A vitamin B12 deficiency is usually occurs as a result of the body's inability to absorb and use this vitamin. The inability to absorb the vitamin from the intestinal tract often leads to a disease called pernicious anemia.
This illness is more common in strict vegetarians or in vegans who do not take a diet rich in Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 deficiency is also more common in underdeveloped countries, where there is a tendency for poor intake of vegetables and nutritious food. Most problems, however, occur not because of improper intake, but because of improper absorption. For proper assimilation, vitamin B12 needs to combine with 'the intrinsic factor' which is normally found in healthy intestine secretions. This enables Vitamin B12 to be absorbed in the intestines. If the intrinsic factor is absent, vitamin B12 will not be absorbed into the body. Vitamin B supplements overcome this problem.
Some of the most common symptoms of low vitamin B12 levels in the body are:
- Loss of appetite
- Growth retardation in children
- Excessive fatigue
- Brain damage
- Neuritis
- Nervousness and other behavioral manifestations
- Spinal cord degeneration
- Depression
- Weakness and dizziness
- Tingling or numbness in the extremities
- Hair loss
- Anemia
- Long term deficiency and depletion of reserves will produce 'megalobastic anaemia' and severe neuro-psychotic disorders
Ongoing research has also shown that a deficiency of vitamin B12 may increase the risk of developing neural tube defects during pregnancy. Vitamin B12 supplement intake or consuming prepared food rich in vitamin B12 is highly recommended for adults over 50. Excessive vitamin B12 supplement intake also has a very low risk of causing toxicity.