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VITAMIN B12

Vitamin B12 is part of the B-complex formation of vitamins, which play an important role in cell metabolism. These vitamins aid in increasing the body’s rate of metabolism, boost the immune system, enhance the nervous system, keep your skin healthy and tone your muscles.

Vitamin B12, like the other B vitamins, is water-soluble and easily excreted by the body. This means that daily intake is required to keep the vitamin B12 levels in your body from dropping to dangerously low points. Vitamin B12 is a nutrient commonly found in foods such as fish, shellfish, dairy products, and meat.

Vitamin B12’s main function is to maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells as well as to help in producing DNA, the core genetic material in cells. In food, vitamin B12 is bound to proteins. It is released in the stomach after being exposed to hydrochloric acids during digestion. Vitamin B12 then combines with a substance known as intrinsic factor (IF) before being released into the bloodstream.

Unlike most other water-soluble vitamins, the body is capable of storing large amounts of vitamin B12, making deficiencies a rare occurrence. Studies have found that apart from people whose diets lack vitamin B12-rich foods, the most prone to vitamin B12 deficiency are strict vegetarians and vegans. This is due to the lack of animal proteins in their diets, which vitamin B12 is most commonly attached to.

Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to a condition known as megaloblastic anemia. In this type of anemia, the red blood cells become bigger than normal, causing problems with nutrient distribution and, in severe cases, blood circulation. Deficiency in vitamin B12 has also been found to lead to some neurological abnormalities, including numbness and tingling of the legs, difficulty walking, disorientation and dementia.

The daily required intake of vitamin B12 varies from person to person. On average, the people who require more vitamin B12 than normal are pregnant women, those who are hemorrhaging, have a liver or kidney condition, and those with hemolytic anemia. But for the average healthy adult (male and female), the current Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) according to the Food and Nutrition Board is 2.4 micrograms per day.

Some studies have suggested that vitamin B12 may help in preventing cardiovascular disease. Over 80 studies have indicated that elevated levels of an amino acid called homocysteine in the blood increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Homocysteine levels in the blood are regulated in by folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6. An analysis done by the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver found that vitamin B12 deficiency among people over the age of 60 is a major cause of elevated homocysteine levels in their blood, putting them more at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Researchers are also looking into vitamin B12’s potential in cancer prevention, particularly breast cancer. Women with breast cancer were found to have a tendency to have much lower levels of vitamin B12 in their diet than those without the condition. A case control study in Mexican women was done by the Instituto de Salud Publica (Institute of Public Health) in Mexico. The results showed that breast cancer risk for the women with the highest vitamin B12 intake was 68% lower than the women with the lowest vitamin B12 intake. Currently, there is insufficient data to support the theory, but further studies are underway.

PureandHealthy by Nu-ture offers vitamin B12 with all-natural ingredients to help you towards a pure and healthy way of living. Our capsules are packed with 1000 micrograms of nature’s best sources of vitamin B12. This is especially for our vegetarian and vegan customers who may not have enough vitamin B12 in their diets. Our capsules have been Vegan Certified by the American Vegan Association, so you can be sure that they do not contain starch, sugar, corn, soy, wheat and dairy products.

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Vitamin B12 is part of the B-complex formation of vitamins, which all fulfill one or more functions in the body. Vitamin B12, like the other B vitamins, is water-soluble and easily excreted by the body. This means that daily intake is required to keep the vitamin B12 levels in the body from dropping to dangerously low points. Vitamin B12 is a nutrient commonly found in foods such as fish, shellfish, dairy products, and meat.

The primary benefit of vitamin B12 lies in the blood. Vitamin B12 is known to help keep the nerve cells healthy, and in the production and repair of red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is also known to play a role in the creation of DNA, the core genetic material of cells. Vitamin B12 is usually found in food as a compound bound to proteins and is released in the stomach after vitamin B12 has been exposed to the acids. Vitamin B12 then combines with a substance known as an intrinsic factor before being released into the bloodstream.

Unlike most other water-soluble vitamins, the body is capable of storing large amounts of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 can remain stored in the body for up to years at a time, making deficiencies a rare occurrence. Studies have found that the elderly and those with low amounts of vitamin B12 in the diet are the groups at the highest risk of deficiency. Individuals with the condition called pernicious anemia are also at risk, because the anemia prevents them from absorbing vitamin B12 into the bloodstream via food intake. Strict vegetarians and vegans are also found to be prone to vitamin B12 deficiency due to the lack of animal proteins, which vitamin B12 is most commonly attached to.

Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to a condition known as megaloblastic anemia. In this type of anemia, the red blood cells become bigger than normal, causing problems with nutrient distribution and, in severe cases, circulation. Vitamin B12 is the standard treatment option if the anemia was caused by a deficiency, and is sometimes used as a supplementary treatment if other conditions were the cause. In all such instances, the advise of a physician should be sought out prior to taking any medication or vitamin B12 supplements.

Deficiency in vitamin B12 has been found to lead to some neurological abnormalities and psychiatric conditions. Ataxia, which is characterized by shaky movements and an unsteady step, is often cited as an example of a condition caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is also noted as a possible result of deficiency in vitamin B12. According to the research data, these and other conditions are symptoms of vitamin B12 levels in the body being only slightly lower than normal, and studies suggest that even worse deficiencies could lead to more dangerous conditions.

The daily required intake of vitamin B12 can vary from person to person, depending on certain factors. On average, the people that would require more vitamin B12 than normal are pregnant women, those who are hemorrhaging, have a liver or kidney condition, and those with hemolytic anemia. In such cases, vitamin B12 may be administered to prevent complications arising from the deficiency. Based on research data, introducing vitamin B12 supplements can be equally effective, regardless of whether vitamin B12 was introduced orally, through the nose, or via injection.

Some studies have pointed to the possibility that Alzheimer’s disease patients may benefit from the use of vitamin B12 supplements. Studies have found that patients with the condition suffer from abnormally low levels of vitamin B12 in their blood. Vitamin B12 deficiencies of such a degree often result in symptoms such as disorientation and confusion, which are very similar to the most prominent symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Currently, clinical trials are being planned to ascertain whether or not increasing vitamin B12 in the bloodstream of Alzheimer’s patients produces a positive effect.

Researchers are also looking into vitamin B12 and whether or not it has a connection to breast cancer. Women with breast cancer were found to have a tendency to have much lower levels of vitamin B12 in their diet than those without the condition. Some have theorized that vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to breast cancer, or at least lead to an increased risk of the cancer. Currently, there is insufficient data to support the theory, but further studies are underway to determine whether or not breast cancer and vitamin B12 have a concrete connection with one another.

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