Properties of vitamin B12

Benefits of cobalamin or vitamin B12

WHAT IS VITAMIN B12 GOOD FOR?

Main properties of vitamin B12

The main properties of vitamin B12 are:

Favor the proper absorption of calcium.

Favor the metabolism of food (proteins, carbohydrates and fats)

Prevent anemia: Vitamin B12 is needed to prevent certain types of anemia, such as anemia due to lack of vitamin B12 (macrocytic anemia) or pernicious anemia.

Delay Alzheimer’s: It has been proven that Alzheimer’s sufferers have low levels of this vitamin.

Prevent dementia and delay memory loss: Many of the symptoms of dementia in the elderly are actually due to the lack of this vitamin. Some behaviors of older people that could be attributed to senility (lack of memory, irreverence, infantile behavior, etc.) respond to low levels of cobalamin. Intake of vitamin B12 supplements helps to overcome these behaviors on many occasions.

Strengthen the immune system: Vitamin B12 strengthens the immune system and helps prevent diseases of infectious origin.

Prevent digestive problems: The lack of this vitamin can cause problems of bad digestion with the appearance of diarrhea or constipation, flatulence or burning tongue. Low levels of cobalamin may reduce appetite and induce the onset of anorexia.

Strengthen the nervous system: This vitamin is responsible for synthesizing the myelin, a kind of white ‘sheath’ that surrounds the nerve cells and favors the transmission of nerve impulses. The deficiency of this vitamin produces nervousness, loss of balance, restlessness, etc. Among the most characteristic symptoms that affect the elderly we have: clumsiness and tingling in the extremities, especially in the legs, spasms, etc.

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency

Symptoms that may indicate lack of vitamin B12. Deficiency in this vitamin leads to serious complications such as anemia.

Protect the heart: Many heart diseases can improve with the ingestion of this vitamin. This vitamin is responsible for neutralizing the negative influence that homocysteine ​​has on heart health. Elevated levels of this amino acid in the blood appear to be responsible for increased cholesterol and hypertension by facilitating increased thrombi in the arteries and making circulation less fluid. (Atherosclerosis). It has been proven that, among other factors, low levels of folic acid or vitamin B may be responsible for the increase of homocysteine ​​in the blood.

Reduce the symptoms of tinnitus: Especially when it comes to decreasing the intensity of tinnitus.

Delay the onset of AIDS: The administration of this vitamin seems to delay the onset of AIDS once the infection has occurred.

Help to improve the symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome: Intake of vitamin B12 supplements has been shown to help reduce fatigue, tremors, habitual pain and memory loss of fibromyalgia and characteristic symptoms of chronic fatigue. It seems that this vitamin neutralizes the elevated levels of homocysteine ​​that these patients have.

Favor male fertility.

Reduce allergies: Vitamin B12 supplementation has been shown to help prevent the symptoms of food allergy, especially those related to certain preservatives called sulfites.

Propiedades de la vitamina B12

Summary with the main properties of vitamin B12.

Daily requirements of vitamin B12

The daily doses of cobalamin are set at 2.4 mcg daily which can be increased up to 400 in special needs, as it appears. If you take supplements of this vitamin is necessary to take a supplement of folic acid, whose deficiency prevents its absorption (400 mcg daily minimally).

Lack of vitamin E or iron causes the same problem. To prevent these problems, it may be appropriate to inhale a multivitamin supplement in addition to vitamin B12 supplements.

Keep in mind that high doses of vitamin C destroy cobolamine.

store of vitamin B12

It is a widespread myth that there is a very large store of vitamin B12 and therefore it is not necessary for vegetarians to take it.

Vitamin B12 needs table

The table below shows the needs of this vitamin in different ages and circumstances:

Recommended amount of cobalamin (vitamin B12) in mcg (micrograms)
Less than 6 months0,3
From 6 months to 1 year0,5
From 1 to 3 years0,7
4 to 6 years1
7 to 10 years1,4
More than 10 years2
Pregnant women2,2
Breastfeeding women2,6
Patients with pernicious anemia1 dose of 1000 mcg daily as a sublingual tablet.
Crohn’s disease1 dose of 1000 mcg daily as a sublingual tablet.
Tinnitus1 dose of 1000 mcg daily as a sublingual tablet.
Male infertility1 dose of 1000 mcg daily as a sublingual tablet.
Multiple sclerosis1 dose of 1000 mcg daily as a sublingual tablet.
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome1 dose of 1000 mcg three times a week in the form of a sublingual tablet
Nervous disorders of the elderly
1 dose of 100 to 500 mcg daily as a sublingual tablet
Allergy to food1 dose of 2000 mcg daily as a sublingual pill

How to take vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 can be taken orally in the form of capsules, pills or tablets that are placed under the tongue to be absorbed by the body. (Sublingual treatment). There are also injectable or aerosol forms for those who have problems in the intestinal absorption of this element.

In order this vitamin to work well this should be taken along with folic acid.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Symptoms of lack of vitamin B12:

Among the most characteristic symptoms we have:

Light symptoms: tingling in the arms, legs, fingers of the arms and feet, weakness, weight loss, nervous problems, depression or inappropriate behavior.

Severe symptoms: those of anemia due to lack of vitamin B12.

Toxicity of vitamin B12

Ingestion of higher amounts are not toxic when ingested orally. Leftover numbers are removed when urinating. When given by injection, very high doses may produce skin reactions that will disappear soon after discontinuation of treatment.

It is advised to consult with your doctor before starting any treatment with vitamin B12 supplements. This is particularly mandatory if you are taking some medicin or if you have any illnesses.

* Related information:

Symptoms of vitamin B12 Deficiency

Diagnostic of vitamin B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 supplements

Vitamin B12 supplements for vegetarians

Vitamin B12 analogues

How to take vitamin b12 supplements

Deficiency of vitamin b12 in babies or vegetarian children

Vitamin B12 during pregnancy

Does the body store vitamin b12?

punto rojoMore information on vitamin b12

Editorial
Written by Editorial Botanical-online team in charge of content writing

12 May, 2021

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