The importance of vitamin 12 B

Vitamin 12 b is one of the vitamins B that is important for maintaining a healthy body. Or known as Cobalamin, vitamin 12b is needed for the process of converting carbohydrates, fats, and proteins from food to energy. 12 b also, more importantly, helps keep red blood cells healthy and hence prevents heart disease and keeps the immune system functioning at its maximum level. In addition, 12 b is used to make protective caps for all nerve cells in the body.

The importance of vitamin 12 B

The most important function of 12 b is to form healthy red blood cells. However, all cells need 12 b to stay healthy. These are white blood cells, among others, which need 12 b to help ensure that the immune system is functioning properly. All nerve cells in the body also need 12 b to form their protective fat layer. This is important for all nerves but especially for those in the brain. If there is not enough 12 b to make this protective layer, the brain will not function properly.

Interestingly, the amount of 12 b the body needs is relatively small but is needed regularly. However, 12 b itself is not enough because the body cannot absorb it easily. To help the body absorb 12 b of the stomach it produces intrinsic factors which allow more than 12 b to be absorbed. 12 b is only found in animal foods such as liver, eggs, fish and meat but most people consume far more than the recommended daily amount of 12 b. This is not a problem because the body can only absorb about half of the 12 b consumed. It should also be noted that the body can recycle 12 b which reduces the impact of deficiencies 12 b. However, strict vegetarians or vegans tend to need 12 b supplements if they do not eat animal products containing 12 b.

If the body does not have enough 12 b, anemia is the most obvious symptom. Obviously, this is due to the fact that there are not enough 12 b to make healthy red blood cells. Anemia can also be caused by the body not creating enough intrinsic factors to help absorb the 12 b available in food consumed. The body tends to make fewer intrinsic factors once a person reaches 50 and this will cause less than 12 b to be absorbed and a 12 b supplement may be needed. Children are also at risk for anemia because they may not eat foods containing 12 b. Pregnant women need more than 12 b because babies absorb 12 b during pregnancy to grow properly.

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