What Is Vitamin B12 Important For?

Vitamin B-12, also known by the chemical name cobalamin, is the only essential vitamin containing the mineral cobalt. This mineral facilitates the action of vitamin B-12 as a required cofactor for two important enzymes. Vitamin B-12-dependent enzymes support several important body functions, which are vital to your short- and long-term health.

Red Blood Cell Production

The soft inner area of your large bones, the marrow, is the site of red blood cell production. Red blood cells live for approximately seven weeks in your bloodstream, necessitating a continuous high rate of production to keep up with normal daily losses. Your bone marrow releases more than 6.5 million new red blood cells daily per pound of body weight, which is roughly 825 million cells for a 125-pound person. Vitamin B-12 dependent enzymes control the production of genetic material for new red blood cells. Vitamin B-12 deficiency slows this process, leading to a reduced number of red blood cells in circulation, which is a condition known as anemia. To prevent vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia, include low-fat meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk and dairy products in your diet. If you eat a vegan diet, you may need a vitamin B-12 supplement, because this essential micronutrient is not present in significant amounts in plants.

Nerve Cell Maintenance

The nerves that enable you to move and feel sensations originate in your spinal cord. Long projections from these nerve cells extend from your spinal cord to various body parts. A substance called myelin surrounds delicate nerve cell projections, providing protection and supporting function. A vitamin B-12 dependent enzyme facilitates the production of a chemical called S-adenosylmethionine, or SAMe, which is needed for the formation and maintenance of myelin. A deficiency of vitamin B-12 reduces the amount of SAMe in your body, which results in loss of myelin and deteriorating nerve cell function. Symptoms associated with myelin loss include numbness or tingling in your hands and feet and poor balance. Early treatment of vitamin B-12 deficiency is important to prevent permanent nerve damage.

Mental Function

Myelin protects and supports brain cells in the same way it does your peripheral nerves. Vitamin B-12 deficiency, therefore, can adversely affect your mental functions. Faulty memory, depression, confusion and impaired thinking may occur if you develop a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Among infants and children, vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause delayed mental development. Because your body stores vitamin B-12, a deficiency often takes years to develop in adults.

Digestion

The cells that line your gastrointestinal system are normally replaced rapidly. Vitamin B-12 supports the production of gastrointestinal cells by facilitating the formation of new genetic material. With a vitamin B-12 deficiency, the lining of your gastrointestinal system is not replaced at a normal rate, which can lead to symptoms such as a sore mouth and tongue, loss of appetite, bowel movement irregularity and weight loss. Correction of a B-12 deficiency with supplements typically reverses gastrointestinal symptoms within a few weeks.