Vitamin B 12 or cobalamin is one of the 8 vitamins of B complex. This vitamin is water soluble with complicated chemical structure that is responsible for normal functioning of the brain and the nervous system as well as forming red blood cells. The vitamin also has important role in the metabolism of proteins.
Best way to supply your organism with needed amounts of this vitamin is trough nutrition. Human organism absorbs vitamin B 12 from animal sources much better than from plants. After the vitamin is absorbed the leftovers are easily expelled through urine. Human organism has amazing ability to store vitamin B 12 in the liver and keep it there for years.
One of the best food sources of vitamin B 12 are in animal organs as liver and kidneys, meat, fish, eggs, milk and dairy products. There are also some amounts of vitamin B 12 in some breakfast cereal as well as a variety of supplements.
SYMPTOMS OF VITAMIN B 12
Vitamin B 12 has very important role for human health. it has very powerful anticancer effects, and it is also source of energy for our body and especially our mind. Low amounts of vitamin B 12 can cause serious health disorders physical as well as mental. Listen to your body. It will send you the signs when it lacks this important vitamin so that you can react in time. Here are some most common symptoms of vitamin B 12 deficiency.
Anemia
Vitamin B 12 is important for production of red blood cells. When the count of erythrocytes is lower it can result with anemia. It is a disorder that also has a variety of side effects and disorders that can significantly lower quality of life.
Vertigo
Even though vertigo is very common sign of vitamin B12 deficiency, it is recommended to visit a doctor if you are suffering from this disorder. Don’t try to fix it on your own especially when vertigo is frequent and does not suppress.
Forgetfulness
Forgetfulness is very common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and science already proved that people affected with these diseases are also suffering from deficiency of vitamin B12.
Muscle weakness
Weakness and loss of strength in the muscles is very common symptom of vitamin B 12 deficiency. Make sure to visit a doctor if the symptom is still present after increased amounts of vitamin B12 rich food you added on your daily diet.
Pale complexion
Vitamin B 12 has important role in the process of red blood cells production. It deficiency can be sympthomized with pale color of your skin.
Tiredness
Lower count of red blood cells usually means that there is lower amount of oxygen coming to your organs and it can cause chronic tiredness besides proper rest that you are getting.
Numbness
As a result of improper amounts of vitamin B 12 nervous systems can’t function properly. This may result with numbness and tingling in the arms, legs as well as other parts of the body. These symptoms are also side symptoms of damaging of the nerves and it is recommended to visit a doctor if the symptoms don’t withdraw after a treatment with increased level of cobalamin.