Vitamins and other nutrients are crucial to your health. A shortage of any vitamin can prevent your body from performing optimally. Vitamin B-12 is part of a group of vitamins known as B complex. Your body uses it to help make healthy red blood cells, which are critical to your health because they deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. Vitamin B-12 deficiency is relatively easy to correct.
B-12 Importance
Vitamin B-12 exists in several forms and because it contains the mineral cobalt, B-12 compounds are collectively known as cobalamins. Your body requires B-12 for proper red blood cell formation, for neurological function and to produce healthy DNA. Vitamin B-12 is also known as a coenzyme vitamin because it helps mediate other physiological functions. For example, B-12 is needed to convert homocysteine, an amino acid, into other beneficial substances. High homocysteine levels are associated with cardiovascular disease, so conversion is important to keep your cardiovascular system healthy.
B-12 Deficiency
Vitamin B-12 is primarily found in animal products, so fish, meat, poultry, eggs and milk products are good sources. You increase your risk of B-12 deficiency if you follow a diet that restricts all animal products. Some foods, such as breakfast cereals, are fortified with B-12, but this is generally not enough to meet your daily requirement. The daily recommended B-12 intake is 2.4 mcg for adults, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. You will need about 2.6 mcg if you are pregnant.
Deficiency Effects
Low B-12 can cause anemia, which is when you have low red blood cells. A decreased number of red blood cells reduces oxygen to your cells and tissues. Because of this, fatigue is one of the most common anemia symptoms. However, having low red blood cells also causes other issues. It can cause neurological problems, resulting in numbness or tingling in your hands and feet. You may experience shortness of breath during exercise, along with other symptoms, such as low mood.
Treatment
Low B-12 treatment is relatively easy and depends on the cause. If your B-12 is low due to dietary deficiency, your doctor may recommend dietary changes. If dietary changes are not possible, your doctor may recommend B-12 supplements. In rare cases, an autoimmune condition prevents your body from absorbing B-12 because your immune system attacks a protein called intrinsic factor, which is needed for B-12 absorption. If this is the case, you will require lifelong B-12 supplementation, usually in the form of monthly B-12 injections. If tests determine your B-12 levels are low, talk to your doctor about your options.
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