Did you know the importance of vitamin B-12 as compared to the other vitamins? Lets read on to find more. It is a water soluble vitamin that keeps the nerves as well as cells healthy. It is one of those vital nutrients that are responsible for a smooth functioning of different body processes. It is likely that the body develops a vitamin B12 deficiency and this deficiency is usually characterised by fatigue. There are certain specific categories of the population that especially need vitamin B12 to sustain their lives. These people include heavy drinkers, smokers, breastfeeding, and pregnant women and the elderly.
Foods That Are Rich In Vitamin B12
A deficiency in this nutrient can cause different illnesses such as fatigue, anemia, constipation, weakness, poor memory, soreness of the mouth, vision problems, asthma, low sperm count, and loss of appetite. This is one of the reasons to know vitamin b12 importance. The good news is that vitamin B12 tends to be rare compared with other types of nutrient deficiencies because the liver tends to store enough reserve of vitamin B12 that can last a couple of years. Here are some of the benefits of consuming vitamin B12.
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Fights Fatigue
Vitamin B12 is required to convert carbohydrates into glucose inside the body, thereby leading to production of energy and a fall in fatigue as well as lethargy in the body. Moreover, vitamin B12 helps in the production of red blood cells. Several studies have proven that vitamin B12 supplementation helps in fighting fatigue as well as tiredness.
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Improves Mental Health
It helps healthily regulate the nervous system, reducing stress, depression as well as brain shrinkage. The role of vitamin B12 in cognitive improvement has been found in several studies.
Improves Digestive Health
It is required for the maintenance of the digestive system. Vitamin B12 tends to protect the heart against harmful and life-threatening disease by improving unhealthy levels of cholesterol and protecting against high blood pressure and stroke.
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Can Prevent Cancer
Vitamin B12 can protect one against cancers of the breast, lung, colon, and prostate. It has a role to play in DNA synthesis as well as repair and has been thus found to have an association with cancer. A study had found that a high intake of vitamin B12 along with vitamin B6 and folate reduced the risk of colon cancer by 30 to 40 percent in participants who had genes that raised the risk of cancer in them.
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Keeps Skin Healthy
A common remedy for hair and skin problems, vitamin B12 supplements can help in keeping skin, hair as well as nails health. It also helps in reproduction of cells and allows for constant renewal of skin.
Reduces The Risk Of Birth Defects
As mentioned, vitamin B12 helps in synthesizing DNA of the cells. Therefore, low levels of vitamin B12 may cause defects in the DNA. Several studies have linked vitamin B12 deficiency with neural tube defects and higher risk of Down’s syndrome in children. The importance of vitamin B12 can be clearly seen when there are defects in the DNA.
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Boosts Treatment Of Hepatitis C
Vitamin B12 is known for the role it plays in boosting immune-function. The function was clearly indicated by a study that was published in the journal Gut, which assessed the role of vitamin B12 supplements in the patients suffering from hepatitis C infection. Out of the 94 patients who suffer from HCV infection, those who took vitamin B12 supplements along with the treatment for hepatitis C showed an increase in the response rate against the virus once the treatment was over. The viral response had strengthened by 34 percent.