Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, is a nutrient you need for good health. It’s one of eight B vitamins that help the body convert the food you eat into glucose, which gives you energy. Vitamin B12 has a number of additional functions. It is needed for the following purposes:
- It helps in production of elements of DNA
- It also helps in production of red blood cells
- It aids regeneration of bone marrow and the lining of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts
- It helps in maintaining the health of the nervous system and spinal cord
- It aids prevention of megaloblastic anemia
How much B12 is required for different age groups?
- From birth to 6 months a child needs 0.4 mcg
- Infants 7–12 months need approx 0.5 mcg
- Children ranging between 1–3 years need about 0.9 mcg
- Children aged between 4–8 years need 1.2 mcg
- Children in the age group 9–13 years need 1.8 mcg
- Teens aged 14–18 years need 2.4 mcg
- Adults require 2.4 mcg*
- Pregnant women require 2.6 mcg
- Women on breastfeeding require 2.8 mcg
*Older adults need more of vitamin B12 because as they age the digestive system doesn’t produce as much acid as it does in the younger years which reduces the overall ability of the body to absorb vitamin B12.
What are the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency?
Symptoms of vitamin B12 include:
- Shakiness
- Muscle weakness
- Stiff, spastic muscles
- Fatigue
- Incontinence
- Low blood pressure
- Mood disturbances
Some clear cut benefits of vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 has several benefits. Here are some more prominent ones:
- It significantly reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke
- It benefits memory
- It offers protection against Alzheimer’s disease
- It visibly improves balance
That’s about it for now. In our next post find out how can you know if you are deficient in vitamin B12…
By : Natural Health News
