Vitamin b12

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 B12 is essential for brain and nerve function. A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause headaches, fatigue, muscle weakness, and depression. Low levels of vitamin B12 can be due to not getting enough vitamin B12 in your diet or the body being unable to absorb the vitamin due to another medical condition. Complication of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms Anemia, when you don't have enough red blood cells Fatigue, dizziness, paleness, and a rapid heart rate Neuropathy, damage to the nerves Tingling, numbness, weakness, and balance problems Myelopathy, damage to the spinal cord Sensory issues, numbness, tingling Dementia, impairment of mental processes Cognitive decline and behavioral changes Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency typically develop gradually over the course of weeks or months. They do not usually improve without treatment. What Causes Vitamin B12 Deficiency? Vitamin B12 deficiency has two primary causes. Some people do not get enough B12 in their diet. Others have problems absorbing B12 in the intestines. Recovery from vitamin B12 deficiency takes time. You may not have any improvement during the first few months of treatment. Improvement may be gradual and may continue for up to six to 12 months. Rehabilitation You may have long-lasting symptoms even after treatment. Numbness, tingling, and weakness can impair your balance. A • Belghith A, Mahjoub S, Romdhane B. Tunis Med. 2015;93(11):678-82. • Pavlov CS, Damulin IV, Shulpekova YO, Andreev EA. Ter Arkh. 2019;91(...

What is vitamin B12 deficiency anemia? Vitamin B 12 deficiency anemia is a condition in which your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells, due to a lack (deficiency) of vitamin B 12. This vitamin is needed to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of your body. Without enough red blood cells, your tissues and organs don’t get enough oxygen. Without enough oxygen, your body can’t work as well. Folic acid, also called folate, is another B vitamin. Anemias caused by a lack of vitamin B 12 or a lack of folate are 2 types of megaloblastic anemia. With these types of anemia, the red blood cells don’t develop normally. They are very large. And they are shaped like an oval, not round like healthy red blood cells. This causes the bone marrow to make fewer red blood cells. In some cases the red blood cells die sooner than normal. What causes vitamin B12 deficiency anemia? Vitamin B 12 deficiencyanemia is more common in people whose families come from northern Europe. It is caused by one of the following: • Lack of intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is a protein made in the stomach. It is needed to absorb vitamin B 12. This type of B 12 deficiency anemia is called pernicious anemia. • Surgery that removes or bypasses the end of the small intestine. This part of the small intestine is where vitamin B 12 is absorbed. The inability to make intrinsic factor may be caused by several things, such as: • Chronic gastritis • Surgery to remove all or part of the stoma...

Vitamin B12 supplements may be beneficial for those with certain health conditions or dietary restrictions. The recommended dosage can vary based on several factors, including your age, sex, and medical history. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble nutrient that’s required for many crucial processes in your body. The ideal dose of vitamin B12 varies based on your sex, age, and reasons for taking it. This article examines the evidence behind the recommended dosages for B12 for different people and uses. Share on Pinterest Image credit: Vergani Fotografia/Shutterstock It’s necessary for proper red blood cell production, DNA formation, nerve function, and metabolism ( Vitamin B12 also plays a key role in reducing levels of an amino acid called Additionally, vitamin B12 is important for energy production. However, there’s currently no evidence that taking B12 supplements increases energy levels in people who are not deficient in this nutrient ( Vitamin B12 is found mostly in animal products, including meats, seafood, dairy products, and eggs. It’s also added to some processed foods, such as cereal and nondairy milk. Because your body can store B12 for several years, serious B12 deficiency is rare, but up to 26% of the population may have a mild deficiency. Over time, B12 deficiency can lead to complications like anemia, nerve damage, and fatigue ( Vitamin B12 The following factors may put you at a higher risk of not getting enough vitamin B12 from diet alone ( • following a vegetari...

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...

Symptoms Vitamin deficiency anemia usually develops slowly over several months to years. Signs and symptoms may be subtle at first but usually increase as the deficiency worsens. These may include: • Fatigue • Shortness of breath • Dizziness • Pale or yellowish skin • Irregular heartbeats • Weight loss • Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet • Muscle weakness • Personality changes • Unsteady movements • Mental confusion or forgetfulness Causes Vitamin deficiency anemia can occur if you don't eat enough foods containing vitamin B-12 and folate, or if your body has trouble absorbing or processing these vitamins. Vitamin B-12 deficiencies Low levels of vitamin B-12 can be caused by: • Diet. Vitamin B-12 is mainly found in meat, eggs and milk, so people who don't eat these types of foods may need to take B-12 supplements. Some foods have been fortified with B-12, including some breakfast cereals and some nutritional yeast products. • Pernicious anemia. This condition occurs when the body's immune system attacks cells in the stomach that produce a substance called intrinsic factor. Without this substance, B-12 can't be absorbed in the intestines. • Gastric surgeries. If portions of your stomach or intestines have been surgically removed, that can reduce the amount of intrinsic factor produced and the amount of space available for vitamin B-12 to be absorbed. • Intestinal problems. Crohn's disease and celiac disease can interfere with absorption of vitamin B-12, as can tape...