What are Vitamin B12 Facts?

Dave Nettles — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:49:39 +0000

The B12 vitamin is referred to as cyanocobalamin and it is soluble in water and part of the B vitamin family. The B vitamins are used to support adrenal function and calm and maintain the nervous system. They are necessary for the metabolic processes. B12 vitamins are also important to DNA synthesis plus they also help maintain the nerve cells.

B12 Vitamins are They Necessary?

B12 vitamins are involved in maintenance and development of healthy red blood cells, nerve cells and the covering (myelination) of nerve cells. B12 vitamins help in the production of DNA and RNA. The B12 vitamin also assists in the production of neurotransmitters.

What A Vitamin B12 Deficiency Can Look Like

A B12 vitamin deficiency can have symptoms including bleeding gums, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, heart palpitations, numbness, nausea, poor appetite and mouth sores. The symptoms will come on slowly and may not be found or recognized for a long time. Another symptom of the deficiency can develop pernicious anemia and can lead to confusion, loss of memory and dementia.

The most prone to vitamin B12 deficiencies are vegetarians and their vegan children. The reason for this is the B12 vitamin comes from animal products. The other group is the elderly by being unable to absorb the B12 vitamins in the intestinal track. Those pregnant or have other intestinal disorders or hemorrhaging.

B12 How Much and What Kind is Needed?

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for age 14 and older is 2.4 mcg. Adults and pregnant females that are adolescent need 2.6 mcg. For lactating females both adult and adolescent need 2.8 mcg. Once the age of 50 is reached people should eat foods fortified with B12 and or take B12 supplements. The recommended amount is 25 to 100 mcg keep the B12 vitamins at the correct levels. Some medical professional suggest 50 mcg of B12 in a B-Complex that has biotin, niacin, riboflavin and thiamine included.
Children need different amounts based on age.

Consult with your child’s medical professional in case there are some special needs. The basic recommendations are for babies from 0 to 6 months is .04 mcg; From 7 to 12 months 0.5 mcg; From 1 to 3 years 0.9 mcg; From 4 to 8 years 1.2 mcg; And 9 to 13 years 1.8 mcg.

What Foods Contain Vitamin B12

The best sources of vitamin B12 come from animal derived foods. Shellfish, fish, dairy products, eggs and poultry are best.

Can you get too Much B12 Vitamin?

The B12 vitamins are considered safe and non-toxic. There are some other considerations to think about. A sublingual B12 for seniors to be absorbed by the blood vessels in the mouth is better since they may have more trouble absorbing the B12 from the digestive system. Also consider all the things that may deplete or hinder absorption. Alcohol to the excess, antibiotics, stomach acid controlling drugs and those with type 2 diabetes that take Metformin plus one other drug is known to lower the serum levels of the B12 vitamin and that is nicotine. Some lesser known things that can reduce the absorption of the B12 vitamins are vitamin C in supplements and potassium.

Vitamin B1 Facts

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