Healthy Blood Cells-Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is essential to maintain a healthy body, it also convert carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy. More importantly, it keeps the red blood cells healthy and therefore, prevents heart disease as well as keeping the immune system functioning at its maximum level. In addition, vitamin B12 is used to create the protective covering of all nerve ending in the body.

The most important function of vitamin B12 is to form healthy red blood cells and maintain the health of the nervous system, brain and spinal cord. However, all cells need vitamin B12 to keep them healthy, and it help the immune system to function properly. The nerve cells in the body need vitamin B12 to form their protective fatty layer. This is essential for all of the nerves but is especially so for those in the brain. If there is not sufficient vitamin B12 to create this protective layer the brain will not functioning properly.

Vitamin B12 is an exception to the rule of water-soluble vitamins, which cannot be stored by the body. It is stored by the liver for years and (according to "Medline Plus" it is rare to have vitamin B12 deficiency), but if there is a deficiency it is because the body fails to properly manage the vitamin. This occurs when oxygen is not adequately supplied to body tissues and digestion disorders.

The body needs a small amount of this vitamin but is needed regularly. The body produces intrinsic which enables vitamin B12 to be absorbed. Vitamin B12 is found in liver, eggs, fish and meat, and in the plant kingdom there are sea vegetables, such as dulse, kelp, kombu, and nori. Vitamin B12 can be found in herbs also, alfalfa, bladderwrack, and hops, but most people consume far more than their recommended daily amount. This is not a problem as the body absorbs what is needed and stores the rest.

If the body does not have enough vitamin B12 then anemia is the most obvious symptom. Obviously, this is due to the fact that there is not enough vitamin B12 to make healthy red blood cells. Anemia can also be caused by the body not creating enough intrinsic to help absorb vitamin B12 that is available in the food consumed. The body tends to makes less intrinsic once a person reaches 50 years of age, and this will lead to less absorption and supplements may be required. Kids are also at risk of becoming anemia because they may not eat the food that contains vitamin B12. Pregnant women need more vitamin B12 during the pregnancy for the baby to grow properly.

A vegetarian or vegan will need to take supplements or be very mindful of the plant family that supplies vitamin B12. The deficiency will not be noticed immediately due to the fact that the body stores vitamin B12, but it will show-up. The effects are gait, chronic fatigue, constipation, depression, digestive disorders, dizziness, drowsiness, and many other symptoms.
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