Properties of vitamin B12

Benefits of cobalamin or vitamin B12

WHAT IS VITAMIN B12 GOOD FOR?

Main properties of vitamin B12

The main properties of vitamin B12 are:

– Favor the proper absorption of calcium.

– Favor the metabolism of food (proteins, carbohydrates and fats)

– Prevent anemia: Vitamin B12 is needed to prevent certain types of anemia, such as anemia due to lack of vitamin B12 (macrocytic anemia) or pernicious anemia.

– Delay Alzheimer’s: It has been proven that Alzheimer’s sufferers have low levels of this vitamin.

– Prevent dementia and delay memory loss: Many of the symptoms of dementia in the elderly are actually due to the lack of this vitamin. Some behaviors of older people that could be attributed to senility (lack of memory, irreverence, infantile behavior, etc.) respond to low levels of cobalamin. Intake of vitamin B12 supplements helps to overcome these behaviors on many occasions.

– Strengthen the immune system: Vitamin B12 strengthens the immune system and helps prevent diseases of infectious origin.

– Prevent digestive problems: The lack of this vitamin can cause problems of bad digestion with the appearance of diarrhea or constipation, flatulence or burning tongue. Low levels of cobalamin may reduce appetite and induce the onset of anorexia.

– Strengthen the nervous system: This vitamin is responsible for synthesizing the myelin, a kind of white ‘sheath’ that surrounds the nerve cells and favors the transmission of nerve impulses. The deficiency of this vitamin produces nervousness, loss of balance, restlessness, etc. Among the most characteristic symptoms that affect the elderly we have: clumsiness and tingling in the extremities, especially in the legs, spasms, etc.

Symptoms that may indicate lack of vitamin B12. Deficiency in this vitamin leads to serious complications such as anemia.

– Protect the heart: Many heart diseases can improve with the ingestion of this vitamin. This vitamin is responsible for neutralizing the negative influence that homocysteine ​​has on heart health. Elevated levels of this amino acid in the blood appear to be responsible for increased cholesterol and hypertension by facilitating increased thrombi in the arteries and making circulation less fluid. (Atherosclerosis). It has been proven that, among other factors, low levels of folic acid or vitamin B may be responsible for the increase of homocysteine ​​in the blood.

– Reduce the symptoms of tinnitus: Especially when it comes to decreasing the intensity of tinnitus.

– Delay the onset of AIDS: The administration of this vitamin seems to delay the onset of AIDS once the infection has occurred.

– Help to improve the symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome: Intake of vitamin B12 supplements has been shown to help reduce fatigue, tremors, habitual pain and memory loss of fibromyalgia and characteristic symptoms of chronic fatigue. It seems that this vitamin neutralizes the elevated levels of homocysteine ​​that these patients have.

– Favor male fertility.

– Reduce allergies: Vitamin B12 supplementation has been shown to help prevent the symptoms of food allergy, especially those related to certain preservatives called sulfites.

Summary with the main properties of vitamin B12.

Daily requirements of vitamin B12

The daily doses of cobalamin are set at 2.4 mcg daily which can be increased up to 400 in special needs, as it appears. If you take supplements of this vitamin is necessary to take a supplement of folic acid, whose deficiency prevents its absorption (400 mcg daily minimally).

Lack of vitamin E or iron causes the same problem. To prevent these problems, it may be appropriate to inhale a multivitamin supplement in addition to vitamin B12 supplements.

Keep in mind that high doses of vitamin C destroy cobolamine.

It is a widespread myth that there is a very large store of vitamin B12 and therefore it is not necessary for vegetarians to take it.

Vitamin B12 needs table

The table below shows the needs of this vitamin in different ages and circumstances:

How to take vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 can be taken orally in the form of capsules, pills or tablets that are placed under the tongue to be absorbed by the body. (Sublingual treatment). There are also injectable or aerosol forms for those who have problems in the intestinal absorption of this element.

In order this vitamin to work well this should be taken along with folic acid.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Symptoms of lack of vitamin B12:

Among the most characteristic symptoms we have:

– Light symptoms: tingling in the arms, legs, fingers of the arms and feet, weakness, weight loss, nervous problems, depression or inappropriate behavior.

– Severe symptoms: those of anemia due to lack of vitamin B12.

Toxicity of vitamin B12

Ingestion of higher amounts are not toxic when ingested orally. Leftover numbers are removed when urinating. When given by injection, very high doses may produce skin reactions that will disappear soon after discontinuation of treatment.

It is advised to consult with your doctor before starting any treatment with vitamin B12 supplements. This is particularly mandatory if you are taking some medicin or if you have any illnesses.

* Related information:

– Symptoms of vitamin B12 Deficiency

– Diagnostic of vitamin B12 deficiency

– Vitamin B12 supplements

– Vitamin B12 supplements for vegetarians

– Vitamin B12 analogues

– How to take vitamin b12 supplements

– Deficiency of vitamin b12 in babies or vegetarian children

– Vitamin B12 during pregnancy

– Does the body store vitamin b12?

More information on vitamin b12

Written by Editorial Botanical-online team in charge of content writing

12 May, 2021