Vitamin B-12 Increases Energy Protects Brain Function

Vitamin B-12 is one in a family of eight B vitamins. B vitamins are water soluble and therefore can not be stored in the body. There are of course exceptions and this vitamin is one of them. B-12 is the most chemically complex of all the vitamins and years worth can be stored in the body according to the Mayo Clinic. . This of course makes deficiencies rare at best. However being low on B-12 can cause problems too.

B vitamins are called the energy vitamins for they help regulate the bodies metabolism. The vitamin is found in meat, dairy products, fish and shell fish. So you must eat some of those foods to make sure you have enough B-12 to do the complex tasks required of this vitamin. You can of course take either a multi- vitamin or a B-vitamin complex supplement. My favorite of course is to get a balanced B complex from Super Food Max or Super Food Premier.

Important functions of Vitamin B-12.
• Maintains healthy nerve cells
• Keeps red blood cells healthy
• Vitamin is needed to make DNA in cells
• May help Alzheimer’s patients
• Supplementation with other B vitamins reduces homocysteine
• May lower the risk of brain shrinkage in older adults
• Maintains muscle tone
• Gives stress relief
• Provides for a strong immune system

In a statement by Dr. Susan Shurin who is Deputy Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, she said “supplemental vitamins are usually not required by people who have varied, well-balanced diets and normal metabolism. However, supplements are often advisable for people with limited diets or increased requirements for vitamins, such as pregnant women and growing children. Moreover, a number of gastrointestinal diseases can interfere with absorption of vitamins and cause deficiencies even in persons who have adequate dietary supplies".

Others at risk for deficiency are seniors, pregnant women and those suffering from liver or kidney diseases or some forms of cancers. Lack of Vitamin B-12 can cause disorientation and confusion, mimicking Alzheimer’s disease. Some Alzheimer patients have been found to have unusually low levels of B-12 in their systems. Individuals affected with intestinal disorders such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and Inflammatory Bowel disease have problems absorbing Vitamin B-12 because the nutrient absorption of B-12 occurs in the small intestines. More attention needs to be paid to this crucial vitamin by those consuming alcohol or regularly taking antacids or laxatives

Baby boomers over the age of 50 have a 30% of being unable to absorb Vitamin B-12 from food. This is because they may have atrophic gastritis, which is a chronic inflammation and tissue destruction affecting the mucosal lining of the stomach. This can cause a Vitamin B-12 deficiency. This can be alleviated by by increasing food types with the vitamin or adding dietary supplements to your diet that include a balanced quanity of the B vitamins.. If you are over the age of 50 you may be producing less stomach acid, which is necessary in B-12 absorption. Dietary supplements will help avoid damage to the nervous system that would occur if the body’s supply of B-12 were depleted for a length of time.

Because of the importance of b vitamins it might be a good idea to make sure you have a small daily intake of the B vitamins.


In accordance with the FDA these products are not intended to treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any diseases. Please consult your health care professional prior to taking dietary supplements. Information on this site is given for educational purposes only and is not to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a health condition, please seek the advice of your doctor.

Vitamin B-12 to Vitamin Facts