5 Ways That Vitamin B12 Supports Your Health

The body works tirelessly, 24/7, without a break, repairing cells, producing energy, and sending messages throughout your nervous system. The nourishing food you eat contains essential vitamins and minerals that make these functions possible.

One such vitamin, the BBC reports, is vitamin B12. Even a small amount of this vitamin, which is measured in micrograms (one millionth of a gram), can keep the body’s circulatory and cellular functions chugging along. Vitamin B is only found in animal foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. So if you are a vegan you will have to take a supplement or eat fortified foods.

Make sure that you get enough because vitamin B12 is essential to support your health and well-being. Here are five good reasons to make sure you get the minimum recommended amount every day.

Supports Cellular Function
Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, supports cells in making and repairing DNA. Because it supports general cellular function, every single part of the body requires B12 to function properly, making it a crucial nutrient.

Although the body doesn’t produce its own B12, people generally get this crucial nutrient from the food they consume. For example, an egg provides about 1.4 micrograms of B12, a small piece of meat about three micrograms, and a glass of milk about 0.8 micrograms. Although the daily recommended value varies from country to country, doctors generally recommend consuming a minimum of between 1.5 to four micrograms daily.

Helps to Produce Red Blood Cells
Healthline explains that your body uses B12 to produce red blood cells that are healthy and round. Without sufficient B12, the body cannot carry out this important function. Therefore, people with B12 deficiency may have insufficient, misshapen, large, or ovular red blood cells, which causes a condition known as megoblastic anemia. Lacking enough healthy blood to transport oxygen, people with this condition will feel weak and fatigued. Seniors and people with gastrointestinal disorders, or  take metaforum for blood sugar control are more likely to have a B12 deficiency.

Protects Eye Health
In addition to supporting the circulatory system, vitamin B12 may play a role in promoting good vision and eye health, reports WebMD. Vitamin B12 supplements may lower the concentration of an amino acid called homocysteine in blood. This may prevent age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease that mainly affects your central vision.

Good for Your Brain Health
The same homocysteine that may contribute to macular degeneration may also be associated with cognitive decline in older adults. By lowering the concentration of this amino acid, B12 can support brain health. Additionally, insufficient levels of vitamin B12 are associated with memory and thinking deficits, highlighting the importance of this nutrient in supporting your brain. Vitamin B12 also plays a role in serotonin production, so a deficiency may be linked to depression. 

Essential During  Pregnancy
Pregnant women especially should consume enough B12, as low B12 is associated with an increased risk of spinal cord, nervous, and brain issues including neural tube defects for the developing baby as well as miscarriages or premature births. If you are pregnant, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends 2.6 micrograms per day of vitamin B12. But taking too much can also be harmful so speak to your doctor before taking supplements.