Do you need Vitamin B12? Just how helpful is this vitamin and what does it do?
The amazing role of B12:
• Reduces homocysteine which in turn reduces cardiac risk
• Plays an important role in the production of energy from fats and proteins
• Supports in the production of red blood cells and the oxygen carrying ability of red blood cells
• Maintains healthy nerve cells
• Helps in the production of DNA and RNA – your body’s genetic material (still produced all the time we are alive as cells need to replace themselves)
• Supports healthy immune functioning
• Plays a role in maintaining a healthy mood
• May reduce the risk of breast cancer (with folate)
• Increases sperm counts
So who might need to supplement with B12?
• Vegans, vegetarians who also don’t eat dairy or eggs — vitamin B12 is found only in animal products
• People with low stomach acid or problems absorbing nutrients due to conditions such as inflammatory bowel conditions (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), pancreatic disease, people who have had weight loss surgery
• People with an infection of h. pylori in the stomach lining
• Those with HIV
• The elderly
• People with nervous system disorders
What kind is best to take? There are 3 main forms: cyanocobalamin, hydroxycobalamin, and methylcobalamin. Methylcobalamin is most easily absorbed and used.
What foods are rich in B12?
• Clams, oysters and mussels, octopus, crab and lobster
• Wild salmon, tuna, caviar, mackerel, herring, sardines, trout
• Organic liver
• Beef
• Eggs
• Lamb
• Cheese
The amazing role of B12:
• Reduces homocysteine which in turn reduces cardiac risk
• Plays an important role in the production of energy from fats and proteins
• Supports in the production of red blood cells and the oxygen carrying ability of red blood cells
• Maintains healthy nerve cells
• Helps in the production of DNA and RNA – your body’s genetic material (still produced all the time we are alive as cells need to replace themselves)
• Supports healthy immune functioning
• Plays a role in maintaining a healthy mood
• May reduce the risk of breast cancer (with folate)
• Increases sperm counts
So who might need to supplement with B12?
• Vegans, vegetarians who also don’t eat dairy or eggs — vitamin B12 is found only in animal products
• People with low stomach acid or problems absorbing nutrients due to conditions such as inflammatory bowel conditions (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), pancreatic disease, people who have had weight loss surgery
• People with an infection of h. pylori in the stomach lining
• Those with HIV
• The elderly
• People with nervous system disorders
What kind is best to take? There are 3 main forms: cyanocobalamin, hydroxycobalamin, and methylcobalamin. Methylcobalamin is most easily absorbed and used.
What foods are rich in B12?
• Clams, oysters and mussels, octopus, crab and lobster
• Wild salmon, tuna, caviar, mackerel, herring, sardines, trout
• Organic liver
• Beef
• Eggs
• Lamb
• Cheese