Vitamin B-12 is one of the B vitamins that are essential to maintain a healthy body. Otherwise known as Cobalamin, Vitamin B-12 is needed for the processes to convert the carbohydrates, fats and proteins from food into energy.
Vitamin B-12 also, more importantly, helps keep the red blood cells healthy and therefore prevent heart disease as well as keeping the immune system functioning at its maximum level.
In addition, Vitamin B-12 is used to create the protective covering of all nerve cells in the body.
While the most important function of Vitamin B-12 is to form healthy red blood cells, all cells need Vitamin B-12 to keep them healthy.
White blood cells, need Vitamin B-12 to help ensure that the immune system functioning properly.
Nerve cells in the body need Vitamin B-12 to form their protective fatty layer. This is essential for all of the nerves but is especially so for those in the brain. If there is not sufficient Vitamin B-12 to create this protective layer then the brain will not be functioning properly.
Interestingly, the amount of B-12 that the body needs is relatively small but is needed on a regular basis.
However, Vitamin B-12 on its own is not enough as the body cannot absorb it easily. To help the body absorb Vitamin B-12 the stomach produces intrinsic factor which enables more of the B12 to be absorbed.
Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal foods such as liver, eggs, fish and meat but most people consume far more than their recommended daily amount of 12 b.
This is not a problem as the body can only absorb about half of the Vitamin B-12 that is consumed.
It is also worth noting that the body can recycle the Vitamin B-12 which cuts down on the impact of a VB-12 deficiency. However, strict vegetarians or vegans are likely to require B-12 supplements if they do not eat any animal products that contain Vitamin B-12.
If the body does not have enough Vitamin B-12 then anaemia is the most obvious symptom. Obviously, this is due to the fact that there is not enough Vitamin B-12 to make healthy red blood cells. Anaemia can also be caused by the body not creating enough intrinsic factor to help absorb the Vitamin B-12 that is available in the food consumed.
Kids are at risk from anaemia because they may not eat the food that contain Vitamin B-12. Pregnant women need more Vitamin B-12 because the baby is absorbing B-12 during the pregnancy to grow properly.
For older people, the body tends to makes less intrinsic factor once a person reaches 50 and this will lead to less Vitamin B-12 being absorbed and supplements of Vitamin B-12 may be required.