Vitamin B12 is an essential, water-soluble vitamin that is frequently combined with other B vitamins to form a vitamin B complex. Commonly found in fish, meat and dairy products, vitamin B12 is bound to the protein in food. When released by hydrochloric acid during digestion it combines with intrinsic factor--IF--and is absorbed into the bloodstream, according to MayoClinic.com. Vitamin B12 complexes are important for the maintenance of healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. They also seem to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and the feeling of fatigue.
Healthy Red Blood Cells
Vitamin B12 plays an important role in rapid synthesis DNA during cell division. This is especially important in tissues where cells divide rapidly, such as bone marrow, which produces most of the body's red blood cells. Adequate amounts of vitamin B12 can help reduce the risks of both megaloblastic and pernicious anemia, increase energy levels and reduce muscle fatigue. Megaloblastic anemia is a form of anemia in which the red blood cells are too large, while pernicious anemia is a condition where there is a lack of intrinsic factor in the stomach.
Nervous System Health
Vitamin B12 is responsible for the metabolism of the fatty acids essential for the creation and maintenance of myelin. Myelin is a complex protein that insulates nerve fibers. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can cause nerve degeneration and irreversible neurological damage including dementia, ataxia, vision problems, psychoses and mood disturbances. However, the National Institutes of Health, NIH, reports that studies have shown that vitamin B12 complexes can lower homocysteine levels, which may improve long term cognitive function and reduce the risk for Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Reduced Risk of Stroke and Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in America; however, the vitamin B12 complexes may be able to reduce the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. An elevated level of the sulfur-containing amino acid homocysteine seems to be a risk factor for stroke or heart disease. According to the NIH, vitamin B12 complexes metabolize homocysteine, decreasing the total level of homocysteine in the bloodstream, which may reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.
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