Cobalamin, better known as vitamin B12 is essential for its role in the synthesis of DNA and RNA (2). Vitamin B12 aids in the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates and the formation of red blood cells. It also helps to keep neurological balance.
The risks of vitamin B12 deficiency
The vitamin B12 can lead to a different set of blood disorders (eg, leukemia, anemia and other disorders of blood cells) and neuropsychiatric disorders (eg, subacute combined degeneration or SCD, which affects the peripheral nerves and spinal cord). If treated in time, these symptoms of deficiency of vitamin B12 will go away. If not treated early, symptoms can be permanent conditions, even when the vitamin B12 deficiency no longer exists.
One of the best ways to avoid vitamin B12 deficiency is to eat foods that contain vitamin B12. However, vitamin B12 is found only in plants, when plants are rich in microorganisms. As a result, many vegetarians and vegans need to seek alternative methods for maintaining levels of vitamin B12.
How much vitamin B12 is the need for college?
The human body needs only two micrograms of vitamin B12 to function properly. If your body uses and recycling of vitamin B12 properly then you should consume a small amount of vitamin B12 or not eat at all. However, a large proportion of people need a regular intake of vitamin B12 to maintain these two micrograms. This is usually because most people are unable to properly absorb vitamin B12.
Sources of vitamin B12
Most animals from foods contain some vitamin B12. If you are in good health, you can get two micrograms of vitamin B12 that your body needs to just eat some dairy products and eggs.
However, given the alarming number of people who can not easily absorb vitamin B12 in their systems, many vegetarian foods fortified with vitamin B12, such as Nutri-Grain products, nutritional yeast and soy analogs are available. Tempeh is a good vegetarian source of vitamin B12. You can find out if any of these products have vitamin B12 by reading the labels.
Many sea vegetables like nori and spirulina contain as vitamin B12, which is similar to vitamin B12. However, some researchers believe that B12 supplements such as spirulina may increase substantially the risk of vitamin B12, because the body recognizes as vitamin B12 in spirulina vitamin B12, but such as vitamin B12 does not work exactly the same .
Why do so many people have trouble maintaining levels of vitamin B12 supplementation is recommended for those who regularly eat dairy products, eggs, or vitamin B12 fortified foods. Even those who eat these products are often recommended to take vitamin B12 supplements if they have shown signs of difficulty in absorbing vitamin B12 or if you are an advanced age, when the difficulty of absorption is more common.
