Vitamin B12 Benefits

Vitamin B12 benefits your mind as you age. It protects against neurological deterioration. It combats Parkinson’s disease, Bell’s palsy, multiple sclerosis, and other brain diseases.

It's the most chemically complex of all vitamins. And the name, vitamin B12, actually represents a group of biological compounds called coblamins. Coblamins are like hemoglobin in the blood, except they contain cobalt.

Speaking of blood, vitamin B12 also helps synthesize proteins, which is necessary for cardiovascular function. It converts homocysteine into methionine, which is used to build protein.

So what?

Well, high levels of homocysteine can gunk up the lining of blood vessels. This can lead to plaque buildup and clotting and eventually heart disease.

Vitamin B12 From Food

Great news for meat lovers...

This vitamin is found strictly in animal tissues.

• snapper (baked, broiled)

• venison

• chinook salmon

• beef tenderloin

• lamb loin (roasted)

Strict vegetarians require supplements. Symptoms will develop at some point if your diet lacks vitamin B12.

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Malabsorption (common in the elderly) and digestive disorders can cause a deficiency in vitamin 12. Some common signs:

profound fatigue, irreversible nerve damage, sore tongue, nausea

Vitamin B12 in a Supplement

One form is methylcoblamin. However, the most common form is cyanocoblamin, because it’s cheap and easy to manufacture.

The downside is that cyanocoblamin is difficult for your body to absorb. People who take vitamin B12 in this form continue to be deficient.