Are you leading a healthy lifestyle or conscious about your food intake? Your body might still be facing Vitamin B12 deficiency, if you are not keeping it under check. Vitamin B12 deficiency is very common these days.
Mr. Abhishek Dhawan, Health Researcher in India found out some of the most important factors pertaining to Vitamin B12. According to Mr. Dhawan, Vitamin deficiency is not just a deficiency but a commonly found syndrome in the society. Here’s why Vitamin B12 is so important and how we need to take care of it:
What is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12, also known as Cobalmin, is an essential water-soluble vitamin that your body requires. It is a kind of vitamin that a person needs to get through food intake as the body cannot synthesize these Vitamins. Vitamin B12 plays an essential role in the production of your Red Blood Cells (RBC) and DNA, as well as the proper functioning of your nervous system.
Must Keep a Check on Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to enlargement of RBCs. Deficiency of B12 may also result in elevated levels of enzymes in your body known as ‘Homeocystine,’ which may further lead to heart issues. “B12 is very very important in nerve generation and conduction. It also plays a very important role in regulating immune function,” the health researcher told Transcontinental Times.
Read also: Diet Tips For Maintaining Healthy Immunity During COVID-19
“Many people do not get their Vitamin levels checked. Even if a person is not suffering. One must keep them in check. It works with a number of systems in our body, from red blood cells to the nervous system,” Dhawan said.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
- Fatigue or low energy levels are the two most common symptoms of B12 deficiency
- B12 deficiency may lead to neurological issues
- Low B12 levels may also cause muscle weakness in patients
- In extreme cases it may also result in depression, Alzheimer’s or Dementia
Eating Vitamin Rich Food May Not Be Enough
B12 absorption is not a single step procedure, it happens in a series involving your digestive system. Dhawan said, “From the enzyme known as R-Binder in your saliva, to an enzyme that is released in your stomach known as intrinsic factor to the receptors at the end of your small intestine, all play a major role in B12 absorption.” Hence, it is not only about eating Vitamin B12 rich food. “One must have all the enzymes and factors involved in the process in place for B12 absorption too,” added Dhawan.
Vitamin B12 Rich Food and Supplements
The main food sources for Vitamin B12 are chicken, fish, eggs, cheese, curd, etc. Vitamin B12 is generally low in vegetarian food. “If you are low on B12, you can also go for supplements on doctor’s recommendation. Both tablets and injections are available. People who are non-vegetarian and still deficient can opt for B12 injections after consulting a doctor,” added the young researcher.
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