Why vitamin b12 is important

Vitamin B deficiency carries a serious risk of permanent nerve and brain damage. Some people with insufficient vitamin B have a higher risk of developing psychosis , mania, and dementia. Insufficient vitamin B can also lead to anemia. The most common symptoms of anemia are fatigue, shortness of breath, and an irregular heartbeat. People with anemia might also experience:. Vegans face a risk of vitamin B deficiency, as their diet excludes animal-sourced food products.

Pregnancy and lactation can worsen deficiency in vegans. Plant-sourced foods do not have enough cobalamin to guarantee long-term health. People with pernicious anemia may lack vitamin B Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disease that affects the blood.

Patients with this disorder do not have enough intrinsic factor IF , a protein in the stomach that allows the body to absorb vitamin B Other at-risk groups include people with small intestine problems, for example, an individual whose small intestine has been surgically shortened.

They may not be able to absorb cobalamin properly. Gastritis, celiac disease , and inflammatory bowel disease may lead to a deficiency because these conditions cause the absorption of nutrients to be reduced. People with chronic alcoholism may lack vitamin B , as their bodies are also not able to absorb nutrients efficiently.

Individuals treating diabetes with metformin are advised to monitor their levels of vitamin B Metformin might reduce the absorption of vitamin B Treatment includes vitamin B injections. A vitamin B injection must be administered to people that have problems with nutrient absorption. Some people have difficulties absorbing vitamin B from food sources and may need to take supplements.

This includes older adults, patients with pernicious anemia, and those with achlorhydria or intestinal disorders may have problems absorbing vitamin B from food. Supplements can be taken orally or in a nasal spray. However, oral supplements do not help in many cases of deficiency. In these circumstances, vitamin B may be injected. Vegans can take supplements to avoid deficiency, as the vegan diet remove the meat products that provide B naturally.

Low blood levels of this vitamin have been associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin B12 may help prevent the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Researchers believe that supplementing with vitamin B12 may lower homocysteine, a type of amino acid that is found in your bloodstream. Elevated homocysteine levels have been associated with an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration 9 , A study involving 5, women aged 40 or older concluded that supplementing with vitamin B12, along with folic acid and vitamin B6, may reduce this risk The group receiving these supplements for seven years had fewer cases of macular degeneration, compared to the placebo group.

Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin B12 decreases homocysteine levels in your blood. This may help prevent the development of age-related macular degeneration. The effect of vitamin B12 on mood is not yet fully understood. However, this vitamin plays a vital role in synthesizing and metabolizing serotonin, a chemical responsible for regulating mood. Therefore, vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to decreased serotonin production, which may cause a depressed mood.

Studies support the use of vitamin B12 supplements for improving symptoms of depression in people deficient in this vitamin. One study in people with depression and low vitamin B12 levels found that those who received both antidepressants and vitamin B12 were more likely to show improved depressive symptoms, compared to those treated with antidepressants alone Another study discovered that vitamin B12 deficiency was associated with twice the risk of severe depression Additionally, high vitamin B12 levels have been linked to better treatment outcomes and an increased probability of recovery from major depressive disorder MDD Though vitamin B12 supplements may help improve mood and depression in people with a deficiency, research does not currently suggest that they have the same effect in those with normal B12 levels.

Vitamin B12 is needed for the production of serotonin, a chemical responsible for regulating mood. Vitamin B12 supplements may help improve mood in people with an existing deficiency.

The vitamin may play a role in preventing brain atrophy, which is the loss of neurons in the brain and often associated with memory loss or dementia. One study in people with early-stage dementia showed that a combination of vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acid supplements slowed mental decline Another study found that even vitamin B12 levels on the low side of normal can contribute to poor memory performance. As a result, supplementing with this vitamin may improve memory, even in the absence of a clinically diagnosed deficiency More research is needed to make sound conclusions on the effect of vitamin B12 supplements on memory and cognitive function.

Vitamin B12 may help prevent brain atrophy and memory loss. Topic Overview What is vitamin B12 deficiency anemia? What causes vitamin B12 deficiency anemia? This can happen if: You have pernicious anemia. In this anemia, your body destroys the cells in your stomach that help you absorb vitamin B You have had surgery to remove part of the stomach or the last part of your small intestine, called the ileum. This includes some types of surgery used to help very overweight people lose weight.

You have problems with the way your body digests food, such as sprue also called celiac disease , Crohn's disease , bacteria growth in the small intestine, or a parasite. What is the recommended daily amount of vitamin B12? Daily recommended B footnote 1 Age years Daily amount of B12 micrograms 1—3 0. As the anemia gets worse, you may: Feel weak, tired, and light-headed. Have pale skin. Have a sore, red tongue or bleeding gums.

Feel sick to your stomach and lose weight. Have diarrhea or constipation. If this happens, you may have: Numbness or tingling in your fingers and toes. A poor sense of balance. A decrease in mental abilities. How is vitamin B12 deficiency anemia diagnosed?

Digestion B12 is thought to aid with the digestion and absorption of macronutrients. Stress B12 contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system, so may aid with the reduction in the effects of stress and anxiety on the body.

Shop Vitamins. Related Topics Vitamin B. Suggested Articles. Why take a vitamin-B complex? There are several different types of B vitamins, each doing different jobs in the body. If you wish to cover all bases, vitamin B complex is your best bet.