Article on Vitamin B12

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By Dominic Bowen


Vitamin B12 is critical to each cell and system, including the blood and nerve system.

Low levels of vitamin B12 ( as well as foliate and vitamin B6 ) are linked with raised levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that, at raised levels, is connected with a raised risk of coronary disease and stroke and could also perform a part in age-implicated mental decline and dementia.

Vitamin B12 is found naturally only in foods of animal origin ; plenty of other foods are strengthened with it. The body can store large quantities. Claims, alleged benefits : Vitamin B12 restrains bafflement and memory loss in older folks, protects the heart, peps you up, especially when given as injections. Treats canker sores. Bottom line : many people over age 50 don't produce enough stomach acid to adequately absorb Vitamin B12.

A bad diet and heavy drinking can also make a contribution to a deficiency. Vegans ( who eat no animal products ) and folks with abdominal medical conditions may be in jeopardy. Oppressive Vitamin B12 deficiency may result in bafflement, memory loss, shivering and weakness in the limbs, hallucinations, and listlessness.

A much rarer but more significant kind of B12 deficiency that will happen at all ages is pernicious anemia, in which the stomach nearly stops manufacturing acid and a protein also needed for assimilation ( natural factor ), so that almost no B12 from food is soaked up. At first this will cause anemia, but finally, when Vitamin B12 stores are exhausted, there might be irrevocable damage caused to the nerve system.

Blood tests can diagnose a Vitamin B12 deficiency ; high quantities of B12 can correct it. Older people need six to 15 micrograms of B12 daily ( the RDA is just 2.4 micrograms ), simply purchased from food or a multi-vitamin. Most multi promoted for seniors have twenty five or 30 micrograms. Unless you have been diagnosed as deficient you do not need extra augmentation.




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