You probably already know that B12 is a vitamin that is important to your health. It plays and important role in cellular regulation in your body. B12 is very important to the red blood cells in your body. You body also uses B12 to create and maintain enzymes which are needed for your body to function properly.
Pernicious anemia is a disease that often results in a life threatening B12 deficiency. Low levels of B12 have a number of symptoms including low blood pressure, fatigue, a racing heart rate, paleness, mental confusion and shortness of breath. B12 deficiency is also typically accompanied by neurological problems. Untreated, these neurological symptoms may become permanent.
You may be aware how serious a B12 deficiency is, but did you know that low normal levels of B12 can also cause serious issues? Symptoms begin in many people when they reach the low end of the normal range of B12 in the body.
The level of homocysteine in your body increases when B12 levels are low. This toxic amino acid does a number of things in your body. Research has shown that elevated homocysteine levels can cause heart disease as well as many other health issues. Elevated homocysteine is a key indicator that you are likely to develop cardiovascular disease. Supplemental B12 works to lower the homocysteine levels by breaking it down into an amino acid that is not toxic to the body.
B12 is found in abundance in meat, fish and dairy. While most people consume enough B12, many people have issues with absorption. As we get older, this becomes more of a problem. This is because a substance call intrinsic factor is required to properly process B12.
As we get older, or body produces less intrinsic factor. For this reason, many people need to take supplemental b12 shots as they get older. People also have begun taking a b 12 shot for weight loss.
photo credit: andy.simmons