Are you getting enough vitamin B12 in your diet? If you’re not, it could hurt more than your taste buds. Vitamin B12 is vital to keeping our bodies healthy. We need it to produce red blood cells and DNA and adequately maintain our nervous systems. If you aren’t eating enough of the vitamin B12-rich foods mentioned below, a vitamin B12 supplement may be right for you. We’ll discuss why taking supplements is essential and how much you should take next.
Benefits of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that plays many vital roles in human metabolism, including the production of DNA and red blood cells. It also affects brain function, nervous system health, and fatty acid metabolism. The typical dietary sources for this nutrient are animal-based foods such as beef, pork, fish, and poultry. However, these sources can be hard to come by for vegans or vegetarians who do not eat animal products.
Therefore, the two most common reasons for taking a vitamin B12 supplement are to treat a deficiency or prevent one from occurring. Many forms of this vitamin are available; it is often found in sublingual tablets or nasal sprays.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency is often linked to anemia. Common symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency include:
- Weakness
- Low energy
- Confusion
- Mental fog
- Memory problems
- Impaired nerve function
- Loss of sensation
- Numbness and tingling
- Poor balance
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sudden onset of red, painful tongue
These symptoms can lead to more severe conditions such as cognitive difficulties and peripheral neuropathy if left untreated.
The good news is that Vitamin B12 deficiency can be easily treated by taking a daily Vitamin B-Complex, including Vitamin B-12. The doctor will advise on what’s the best vitamin b12 liquid drops for your condition. And if you are not sure whether or not your body needs more vitamin b12 intake in your diet, then ask your doctor for advice. There are many benefits of taking extra vitamin b12 supplements, like better skin health and mental clarity.
Take a Vitamin B12 Supplement
The number of people deficient in vitamin B 12 is at an all-time high. If you feel this might be the case, consider taking a supplement. You will find many vitamin B 12 supplements in your local pharmacy. The best vitamin B 12 supplement type is methylcobalamin because it has been shown to have the most benefits and works better than other types. Here are some categories of people that may need a B12 supplement:
- Taking an antidepressant drug called fluoxetine (Prozac) or any other anticonvulsant medication may affect your absorption of the nutrient.
- During pregnancy or breastfeeding, if you are not getting adequate amounts of the vitamin from food.
- If you’re over 65 years old.
Conclusion
If you are not getting enough Vitamin B12 from the food, you need to ensure that your body is getting enough. A vitamin B 12 supplement can help ensure that you get enough of the nutrient even if you eat foods fortified with it daily.