B Vitamin Facts

Posts Tagged ‘Vitamin B12’

Vitamin B12 has some great benefits and many people are already aware of these. But what many don't know is that sublingual B12 is one of the best forms to take. Popular ways to take it are:

* From food is what the vast majority rely on. This can be difficult for many people,as you have no real idea how much you are getting.

* Taking the tablet form is perhaps the most popular method of taking it, but this also has many disadvantages. The elderly in particular can have trouble swallowing tablets, and many people just don't have enough stomach acid to break down and absorb the vitamin. Some tablets are also so poorly manufactured that they can be a complete waste of money.

* If you have severe deficiency your doctor will probably advise that you get this nutrient in shots. Not great if you are one of the many that don't like needles.

* A newer method of taking it is in patch form. You put the patch on your skin, usually behind your ear, and leave it on for 24 hours. This is an easy method, though it can be expensive

* For many, the easiest and quickest way to get their daily dose is by taking the sublingual form of cobalamin. This has many advantages over the other methods.

Here are 6 reasons why:

1. Quick Absorption - because the pill or drops are placed under the tongue, the vitamin is absorbed in seconds. This is due to the large number of blood vessels in that area of the mouth.

2. Efficient Absorption - compare to tablets, the sublingual form is absorbed very efficiently. You will get close to 100% absorption.

3. Instant Effect - you will notice the effect right away when you take sublingual cobalamin. The fast absorption means you will feel the effects in seconds.

4. Improves Appetite - the sublingual method can improve appetite quickly if the loss of appetite was cause by deficiency.

5. Improved Sleep - insomnia and other sleep disturbances that are caused by deficiency are fixed quickly with sublingual B12.

6. It's Affordable. Compared to other forms of B12, it is relatively inexpensive. Tablets may be cheaper, but when you take into account the fact that less than 2% of the vitamin in tablet form is absorbed, then the sublingual form will seem to be the obvious choice.

Remember that Vitamin B12 is essential for your health. Deficiency can lead to irreversible nerve damage and other serious conditions. Taking a daily dose of Sublingual B12 will ensure you are getting enough of this vital nutrient.

Find out more about the great benefits of sublingual b12 at our sublingual vitamin b12 website.

The forms of vitamin B12 used in the human body are methylcobalamin and 5-deoxyadenosyl cobalamin. These are also the two forms of cobalamin that cyanocobalamin, common in most vitamin B12 supplements, is converted to.

There has never been any toxic or adverse vitamin B12 side effects associated with large intakes of the vitamin. Whether from food or supplements vitamin B12 side effects are nonexistent in healthy people. In fact, doses as high as 1mg (1000 mcg) daily by mouth or 1 mg monthly by intramuscular (IM) injection have been used to treat patients with pernicious anemia and not a single one of them ever complained of significant vitamin B12 side effects.

There has never been any toxic or adverse vitamin B12 side effects associated with large intakes of the vitamin. Whether from food or supplements vitamin B12 side effects are nonexistent in healthy people. In fact, doses as high as 1mg (1000 mcg) daily by mouth or 1 mg monthly by intramuscular (IM) injection have been used to treat patients with pernicious anemia and not a single one of them ever complained of significant vitamin B12 side effects.

The reason behind the low level of toxicity or vitamin B12 side effect may have to do with the fact that the body can only absorb small amounts of vitamin B12, even if taken in large doses. Because of this low risk of vitamin B12 side effects, no tolerable upper intake level (UL) was set by the Food and Nutrition Board in 1998 when the RDA was revised.

As far as drug interactions are concerned, or vitamin B12 side effects when taken in conjunction with other drugs, only a few number of drugs can affect the vitamin intake, but only as far as the rate of absorption is concerned. One vitamin B12 side effect seems to be that when the vitamin is taken with proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole and lasoprazole which are used for therapy of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach acid secretion required for the release of vitamin B12 from food decrease.

There has been a number of benefits when you take in vitamin b12. Whether from food or supplements vitamin B12 side effects are nonexistent in healthy people.

Vitamin B12, also known as Cobalamin is a water soluble vitamin needed for a variety of biological processes in the human body. From metabolism of cells to the smooth functioning of the nervous system, Vitamin B12 plays a key role in maintaining a healthy physical state. Spirulina is the best source of Vitamin B12. It can also be obtained from eggs, fish, meat, dairy products, etc.

Vitamin B12 has many health benefits and can help your body in various ways. Here's a look at the various benefits offered by Vitamin B12:

1.) Creation of Red Blood Cells - The maintenance, formation and repair of red blood cells is largely dependent on Vitamin B12. Athletes and people with low energy levels usually take B12 injections, for an instant increase in energy levels. Vitamin B12 also plays a significant role in the regeneration and development of DNA and RNA (the genetic material in our body). It's important for the rapid synthesis of RNA and DNA during cell division, specially in tissues where cells are dividing quickly.

B12 Deficiency can affect DNA production and result in abnormal cell growth, leading to anemia.

2.) Healthy Nervous System - Vitamin B12 assists in the smooth and proper functioning of the nerve cells and brain in the body. Each nerve fiber is surrounded by an insulating fatty sheath made up of Myelin, which is a complex protein. Myelin not only protects the nerves but also allows transmission of electrical impulses between the nerve cells throughout the body. Vitamin B12 plays a major role in the metabolism of fatty acids important for maintenance of Myelin.

A lack of Vitamin B12 can have serious neurological effects ranging from loss of sensation to visual impairment to memory loss and dementia.

3.) Cures Depression - Vitamin B12 is regarded to promote activity of hormones and neurotransmitters that can influence your mood and emotional state. These hormones add Serotonin, Dopamine and Melatonin. Depressed patients are often prescribed Vitamin B12 supplements as it can set off serotonin 'happy hormone' production and uplift their mood.

A deficiency of B12 vitamin can lead to anxiety, stress and depression.

4.) Manages Homocysteine Levels - Proper dosage of Vitamin B12 in combination with Folic acid can effectively control the homocysteine levels (an amino acid produced from proteins) in the blood plasma cells. Vitamin B12 insufficiency can result in hematological conditions, increasing the risk of heart diseases, stroke and osteoporosis

5.) Healthy Hair and Skin - Vitamin B12 is vital for DNA and RNA synthesis and cell reproduction. Our skin, hair and nails undergo a process of constant renewal and growth, which is why they need adequate amount of B Vitamins, especially B12 for sustaining a healthy growth. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 can lead to wrinkles, dry skin acne, brittle hair and nails and skin problems just like dermatitis.

6.) Promotes Absorption of Folic Acid - Folic acid is important for the synthesis of red blood cells in the body. With out Vitamin B12, folic acid can't be regenerated in the body and becomes stuck in a metabolically useless form. For correct absorption and regeneration of folic acid, one needs to get enough amount of Vitamin B12. Both folic acid and Vitamin B12 are dependent on each other, as deficiency of Vitamin B12 is followed by a deficiency of folic acid, and vice versa.

7.) Weight loss - Vitamin B12 is also known as the 'Energy Vitamin' since it can give a instant and real energy boost. It can speed up the metabolism process, thus burning more calories and improving the rate of weight reduction. It also increases the total energy levels in the body, allowing you to boost your level of physical activity and exercise.

Also as we talked about previously, Vitamin B12 helps in fighting depression and stress, symptoms which are mostly associated with weight gain.

8.) Encourages Healthy Pregnancy - Compared to normal adults, pregnant girls need a higher amount of Vitamin B12 to generate red blood cells, release energy from food, maintain a healthy nervous system and to process folic acid. B12 deficiency can cause miscarriage and even birth defects. The RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) of Vitamin B12 for pregnant girls is 2.6 mcg per day, and it's essential that this requirement is met.

9.) Assists Combat Mental Decline - Vitamin B12 is a vital nutrient essential for everybody including older adults. According to recent researches, adequate amount of Vitamin B12 can eliminate mental decline associated with old age. Alzheimer's diseases, Dementia and short-term memory loss can all be avoided, as Vitamin B12 promotes healthy performance of the neurological system and brain.

Experts have found that when patients suffering from Alzheimer's or other memory problems were medicated with vitamin B12, numerous of their symptoms disappeared within six months and they regained mental clarity and focus.

10.) Allows you to Sleep Better - Vitamin B12 enhances the production of Melatonin, a hormone that facilitates healthy sleep patterns. This is particularly beneficial for older adults, as with age their body becomes less efficient in making this hormone. Vitamin B12 can help in improving Melatonin production allowing older people to sleep better.

While the above mentioned benefits of Vitamin B12 are well documented, there are a number of other benefits that are being studied by scientists and health experts worldwide. One of such researches shows that Vitamin B12 can drastically increase sperm count and treat male infertility. Likewise, tinnitus (constant ringing in the ears) can also be remedied with B12 supplementation.

Vitamin B12 is undoubtedly an important nutrient required for most of our life processes - from enhancing physical health to boosting mental performance, Vitamin B12 can help you in countless ways. Ensure that you get enough amount of this vitamin either from dietary sources or through B12 supplements.

For more information on Vitamin B12 Benefits, please visit our health related website bewellbuzz.com