Vitamin B12 plays a key role in the functioning of the brain and nervous system, and in the formation of healthy red blood cells. The average adult requires about 2.4 micro grams per day. Here are some other benefits of vitamin B12. For complete list read on carrievisintainer.com the nutritionist blog.
1. Boosts Energy We have all tried many things to boost our energy, yet we still feel drained. It is possible that your B12 levels are low. Vitamin B12 is needed for the synthesis of healthy red blood cells so oxygen can be transported to the cells to produce energy for the body. 2. Stabilizes Mood In a study of people who were on anti depressants, were given B12. As a result, the B12 gave them much more support and also helped the anti depressants work better. Another study was published in 1997 in the journal “Comprehensive Psychiatry” and it said that 30 percent of patients hospitalized for depression have a B12 deficiency. 3. Lowers Levels of Homocysteine Homocysteine is an amino acid that in high levels can have a negative effect on your cardiovascular system. Without B12, homocysteine can’t be converted into the form the body needs and and it starts to accumulate in the blood. Which can lead to cardiovascular disease. 4. Helps With Stress 95 percent of serotonin in our body is produced in the small intestine. We use to think that most of our serotonin is in our brain. However, research has shown that this is actually taking place in our small intestine. So now researchers are thinking that the B12 is involved in the process of manufacturing serotonin, dopamine and other stress fighting neurotransmitters that help us deal with stress. B12 Deficiency There has been research that has linked vitamin B12 deficiency to the actual shrinking of the brain. When the brain shrinks, we are at a much higher risk of Alzheimer’s and memory loss. In fact, people with normal B12 levels are 6X less likely to get Alzheimer’s or have their brain shrink compared to those that are deficient. Even if your B12 levels are slightly below normal, symptoms such as fatigue, impaired memory, and depression can occur. Being deficient in vitamin B12 is actually quite common, about 40% of the american population is deficient. Why Are We Deficient? The main reason why we are deficient is because it is hard to digest and many of us don’t have great digestive systems. B12 comes from proteins like meat, fish, and dairy. When protein is consumed, stomach acids help release the B12 in the protein. The stomach acid also makes a protein in the stomach called the Intrinsic Factor. This Intrinsic Factor hooks onto the vitamin B12 and carries it through the small intestine, where it then gets absorbed into the blood stream. This means that if you don’t have strong stomach acids you won’t be able to absorb the B12. How To Absorb B12 Effectively In order to absorb B12 effectively, combine it with folic acid and B6 in a sublingual form. Taking it in a sublingual form means you take it under your tongue and it absorbs directly into your bloodstream through your sublingual channels. This bypasses the digestive system that may have trouble absorbing B12. |
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