Vitamin b 12

B12 works alone and with other B vitamins to support many vital functions. Here's how to make sure you get enough. Image: photkai/iStock Most healthy adults get sufficient B12 from their regular diet. However, it's common for older people to have some level of B12 deficiency. This might stem from not including enough vitamin B12 foods in their diets or from age-related reduction in stomach acid, which the body needs in order to absorb B12 from food. Certain conditions (such as Crohn's disease, pancreatic disease, and diabetes) and drugs (such as heartburn medication, which reduces stomach acid) also can interfere with absorption and increase your risk of deficiency. Vegans and vegetarians sometimes have trouble consuming enough B12, since many food sources are animal products. Vitamin B12, like all B vitamins, is water-soluble, which means the body expels what it does not use. Its main job is to maintain healthy nerve cells, support proper brain function, and assist in the production of DNA and RNA. B12 also works with other B vitamins to improve certain functions. For instance, B12 and folate (B9) together help to make red blood cells. Low levels of B12 can cause fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, numbness, and tingling in the fingers and toes. Severe, long-term deficiency may lead to loss of mobility, problems walking, or memory loss. A blood test from your doctor can measure B12 levels, and a serious deficiency can be corrected with B12 shots or high-dose supplements. Yet...

How to make sure you get enough from everyday foods Vitamin B12, required for proper brain function and a host of chemical reactions within the body, is found naturally only in animal foods. But if the typical vitamin B12 sources are not part of your regular diet or if your body has difficulty absorbing enough B12, there are other options. How B12 works in the body The Harvard Medical School Special Health Report B12 deficiency: Who is at risk? Most healthy adults get sufficient B12 from their regular diet. However, it is common for older people to have some level of B12 deficiency. This is often due to a poor diet and less stomach acid, which the body needs to absorb B12 from food. Certain conditions and drugs also can interfere with absorption and increase your deficiency risk. For example, Crohn's disease, pancreatic disease, diabetes, and heartburn medication, which reduces stomach acid. Vegans and vegetarians sometimes have trouble consuming enough B12 since many food sources are found in animal products like meat and dairy. Low levels of B12 can cause fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, numbness, and tingling in the fingers and toes. Severe, long-term deficiency may lead to loss of mobility, problems walking, or memory loss. A blood test from your doctor can measure B12 levels. A serious deficiency can be corrected with B12 shots or high-dose supplements. Top foods with B12 The average adult should get 2.4 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin B12 a day, according to the National...

Vitamin B12 plays a key role in many aspects of health and may support bone health, red blood cell formation, energy levels, and mood. Eating a nutritious diet or taking a supplement can help ensure you’re meeting your needs. Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is an essential vitamin that your body needs but cannot produce. It’s found naturally in animal products, but also added to certain foods and available as an oral supplement or injection. Vitamin B12 has many roles in your body. It supports the normal function of your nerve cells and is needed for red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis ( For most adults, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is 2.4 micrograms (mcg), though it’s higher for people who are pregnant or Vitamin B12 may benefit your body in impressive ways, such as by boosting your energy, improving your memory, and helping prevent heart disease. Here are 9 health benefits of vitamin B12, all based on science. Share on Pinterest Design by Jamie Herrmann Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in helping your body produce red blood cells. Low vitamin B12 levels cause a reduction in red blood cell formation and prevent them from developing properly ( Healthy red blood cells are small and round, whereas they become larger and typically oval in cases of vitamin B12 deficiency. Due to this larger and irregular shape, the red blood cells are unable to move from the bone marrow into the bloodstream at an appropriate rate, causing When you have anemia, your body d...

Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is naturally found in animal foods. It can also be added to foods or supplements. Vitamin B12 is needed to form red blood cells and DNA. It is also a key player in the function and development of brain and nerve cells. Vitamin B12 binds to the protein in the foods we eat. In the stomach, hydrochloric acid and enzymes unbind vitamin B12 into its free form. From there, vitamin B12 combines with a protein called intrinsic factor so that it can be absorbed further down in the small intestine. Supplements and fortified foods contain B12 in its free form, so they may be more easily absorbed. There is a variety of vitamin B12 supplements available. Although there are claims that certain forms—like sublingual tablets or liquids placed under the tongue to be absorbed through the tissues of the mouth—have better absorption than traditional tablets, studies have not shown an important difference. Vitamin B12 tablets are available in high dosages far above the recommended dietary allowance, but these high amounts are not necessarily the amount that will be absorbed because an adequate amount of intrinsic factor is also needed. In cases of severe vitamin B12 deficiency due to inadequate intrinsic factor (pernicious anemia), doctors may prescribe B12 injections in the muscle. Recommended Amounts RDA: The Recommended Dietary Allowance for men and women ages 14 years and older is 2.4 micrograms (mcg) daily. For pregnancy and lactation, the amount increases to 2....

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Registered dietitian Anna Taylor, MS, RD, LD, CDCES, shares some of the best ways to add more vitamin B12 foods into your diet. What is vitamin B12? Also known as cobalamin, vitamin B12 is a necessary vitaminthat aids in many essential body functions. It’s a While this vitamin isn’t something that your body naturally produces, there are ways to fill the gaps. As B12 is naturally found in many animal products, it’s simple to incorporate this essential vitamin into your diet. Why is vitamin B12 good for you? Vitamin B12 plays many important roles in your body, with many benefits, including: Forms healthy red blood cells and DNA One main benefit that vitamin B12 provides is producing When your body isn’t getting enough vitamin B12, red blood cells become enlarged — making it harder for them to move in your bloodstream. This can ultimately cause a type of Vitamin B12 also helps your body make DNA — the building blocks for all of your body’s cells. Helps with brain function Especially as we age, vitamin B12 is vital for brain health. Some studies suggest that the vitamin may even help with Boosts energy levels If your vitamin B12 level is normal, there isn’t much research that suggests taking vitamin B12 will boost your energy. But if you’re currently May reduce risk of macular degeneration Some research also s...

Vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) plays an essential role in red blood cell formation, cell metabolism, nerve function and the production of DNA, the molecules inside cells that carry genetic information. Food sources of vitamin B-12 include poultry, meat, fish and dairy products. Vitamin B-12 is also added to some foods, such as fortified breakfast cereals, and is available as an oral supplement. Vitamin B-12 injections or nasal spray might be prescribed to treat vitamin B-12 deficiency. Vitamin B-12 deficiency is not common in the U.S. However, people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet might be prone to deficiency because plant foods don't contain vitamin B-12. Older adults and people with digestive tract conditions that affect absorption of nutrients also are susceptible to vitamin B-12 deficiency. Left untreated, a vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to anemia, fatigue, muscle weakness, intestinal problems, nerve damage and mood disturbances. The recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms. Research on the use of vitamin B-12 for specific activities and conditions shows: • Heart and blood vessel disease. Researchers had previously believed that vitamin B-12, when combined with folic acid (vitamin B-9) and vitamin B-6, might prevent diseases of the heart and blood vessels by reducing the levels of an amino acid in the blood (homocysteine). However, studies show that the combination of these vitamins doesn't seem to reduce the risk or severity of cardiov...

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that helps the body create DNA, nourishes the brain and nervous system, and assists with the formation of healthy red blood cells. The nutrient occurs naturally in meat, fish, and dairy products, and can be created in a laboratory. Some people lack a protein that helps the body absorb vitamin B12 from foods and supplements. A lack of B12 can put you at higher risk for a specific type of anemia that makes you feel weak and tired. Health Benefits Depression Prevention and Treatment Vitamin B12 plays a role in serotonin production, so a deficiency may be connected with clinical depression. In one study, disabled older women with a B12 deficiency were found to have double the risk of severe depression as those without a deficiency. In addition, high levels of vitamin B12 have been associated with better chances of recovery from major depressive disorder. Reduced Risk of Macular Degeneration Supplementing with vitamin B12 is believed to lower homocysteine in the bloodstream, which may help prevent age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease that can cause blindness in older adults. In one study of 5,000 women age 40 and up, those who took supplements of vitamins B12, B6, and folic acid had 34% fewer cases of macular degeneration after seven years than a placebo group. Their risk of severe degeneration was 41% lower. Pregnancy Health If a woman has a vitamin B12 deficiency in the early stages of pregnancy, her child is at an increased ri...

Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is naturally found in animal foods. It can also be added to foods or supplements. Vitamin B12 is needed to form red blood cells and DNA. It is also a key player in the function and development of brain and nerve cells. Vitamin B12 binds to the protein in the foods we eat. In the stomach, hydrochloric acid and enzymes unbind vitamin B12 into its free form. From there, vitamin B12 combines with a protein called intrinsic factor so that it can be absorbed further down in the small intestine. Supplements and fortified foods contain B12 in its free form, so they may be more easily absorbed. There is a variety of vitamin B12 supplements available. Although there are claims that certain forms—like sublingual tablets or liquids placed under the tongue to be absorbed through the tissues of the mouth—have better absorption than traditional tablets, studies have not shown an important difference. Vitamin B12 tablets are available in high dosages far above the recommended dietary allowance, but these high amounts are not necessarily the amount that will be absorbed because an adequate amount of intrinsic factor is also needed. In cases of severe vitamin B12 deficiency due to inadequate intrinsic factor (pernicious anemia), doctors may prescribe B12 injections in the muscle. Recommended Amounts RDA: The Recommended Dietary Allowance for men and women ages 14 years and older is 2.4 micrograms (mcg) daily. For pregnancy and lactation, the amount increases to 2....

How to make sure you get enough from everyday foods Vitamin B12, required for proper brain function and a host of chemical reactions within the body, is found naturally only in animal foods. But if the typical vitamin B12 sources are not part of your regular diet or if your body has difficulty absorbing enough B12, there are other options. How B12 works in the body The Harvard Medical School Special Health Report B12 deficiency: Who is at risk? Most healthy adults get sufficient B12 from their regular diet. However, it is common for older people to have some level of B12 deficiency. This is often due to a poor diet and less stomach acid, which the body needs to absorb B12 from food. Certain conditions and drugs also can interfere with absorption and increase your deficiency risk. For example, Crohn's disease, pancreatic disease, diabetes, and heartburn medication, which reduces stomach acid. Vegans and vegetarians sometimes have trouble consuming enough B12 since many food sources are found in animal products like meat and dairy. Low levels of B12 can cause fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, numbness, and tingling in the fingers and toes. Severe, long-term deficiency may lead to loss of mobility, problems walking, or memory loss. A blood test from your doctor can measure B12 levels. A serious deficiency can be corrected with B12 shots or high-dose supplements. Top foods with B12 The average adult should get 2.4 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin B12 a day, according to the National...

Vitamin B12 plays a key role in many aspects of health and may support bone health, red blood cell formation, energy levels, and mood. Eating a nutritious diet or taking a supplement can help ensure you’re meeting your needs. Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is an essential vitamin that your body needs but cannot produce. It’s found naturally in animal products, but also added to certain foods and available as an oral supplement or injection. Vitamin B12 has many roles in your body. It supports the normal function of your nerve cells and is needed for red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis ( For most adults, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is 2.4 micrograms (mcg), though it’s higher for people who are pregnant or Vitamin B12 may benefit your body in impressive ways, such as by boosting your energy, improving your memory, and helping prevent heart disease. Here are 9 health benefits of vitamin B12, all based on science. Share on Pinterest Design by Jamie Herrmann Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in helping your body produce red blood cells. Low vitamin B12 levels cause a reduction in red blood cell formation and prevent them from developing properly ( Healthy red blood cells are small and round, whereas they become larger and typically oval in cases of vitamin B12 deficiency. Due to this larger and irregular shape, the red blood cells are unable to move from the bone marrow into the bloodstream at an appropriate rate, causing When you have anemia, your body d...