Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12, also known as Cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin needed for normal nerve cell activity and the production of red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is used in a couple different forms, but the form we refer to when we talk about Vitamin B12 is cyanocobalamin, which if the Vitamin B12 used for foods and in nutritional supplements. Other Vitamin B12 benefits it helps the iron to function better in our body, helps prevent coronary artery disease and promotes better vision and helps prevent cataracts. The Vitamin B6, B9 and B12 Vitamin work together as a group to maintain good health throughout the body, but specifically in the nervous system.

Vitamin B12 deficiency affects men as much as women and can result in anemia and damage to the nervous system. Some Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms, which may not surface for up to two years, are fatigue, paleness, dizziness, anemia shortness of breath. The reason why the symptoms take so long to show up is that a large amount of Vitamin B12 is stored in the liver and we normally have a three to five year supply in our body.

Some of the foods that are good Vitamin B12 sources are fish, milk, milk products, eggs, butter and cheese. Many people that feel they are not getting the correct amount of Vitamin B12 will take supplements like Vitamin B12 shots or Vitamin B12 liquid. At one time, the Vitamin B12 shot was what was most widely used, but they need a prescription and are painful. With the help of modern medicine, doctors are now able to offer the Vitamin B12 patch, which is a simple and painless way to get the required dosage of Vitamin B12. Another good fact about the patch is that there is less chance of a Vitamin B12 overdose as there was with the tablets or liquids.

If the symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency are not treated, progressive damage to the nervous system can take place, specifically the nerves around the brain and spinal cords. Other symptoms are weight loss, hallucinations, enlargement of the liver and the spleen and Vitamin B12 deficiency can progress to loss of parts of the nervous system. Vegetarians are the ones most likely to become Vitamin B12 deficient although there are other conditions that may contribute such as high alcohol consumption, gastritis, or after stomach surgery. In most cases of deficiency, Vitamin B12 injections are given. The normal Vitamin B12 injections dosage starts as 1000 micrograms for 2 to 4 weeks for up to 6 weeks. Many people have tried to use a Vitamin B12 injection as part of a weight loss program.