The human body needs all kinds of different vitamins, minerals and supplements in order to function properly. Vitamins are divided up into six different categories: A, B, C, D, K and E. In the vitamin B category, there are further sub-categories: vitamin B1, B2, B6 and B12. Of these, vitamin B12 is one of the most vital, especially as doctors have confirmed that there are increasing numbers of people suffering from vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 is important because it is responsible for helping the synthesis of DNA molecules, the formation of red blood cells, repairing blood cells, helping with body growth and maintaining the nervous system.
People who are suffering from a deficiency of vitamin B12 are at an increased risk of having their wellbeing adversely affected by a condition called anaemia, which occurs when the body does not have enough iron stores to function properly.
Nerve damage can also occur when vitamin B12 is too low. This is because vitamin B12 helps to produce something in the body called myelin, which is a fatty sheath which covers the outside of the nerves and helps to maintain their function.
Low levels of vitamin B12 are stored in the body for emergencies, but if a person’s levels drop so low that they start to use these stores, the repercussions can be very serious, and can include dangerous health problems such as blood clotting and chronic anaemia. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency to watch out for are dizziness, nausea, fatigue, headache or white patches on the skin.
Fortunately, the way to avoid such a deficiency is very simple. Vitamin B12 supplements are readily available and are water-soluble, or you can take in vitamin B12 by consuming the right foods. The vitamin is present in meat, eggs, dairy products, soya products and green vegetables.
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