 |
Why Vitamin B12 Is So Important To Your Health
by Ben Adams
http://www.vitamininformationguide.com
Cyanocobalamin (or Cobalamin) is also commonly known as
Vitamin B12. It is one of the water-soluble vitamins
that comprise the the Vitamin B complex, and just like
the remaining B vitamins, Vitamin B12 plays a very
important role in the activities of several enzyme
substances that encourage chemical reactions in your body.
So, it works as a coenzyme, and is necessary for the
correct functioning of the enzymes in your body.
Vitamin B12 plays an indispensable role in providing DNA
and RNA, the genetic material of cells. It also helps in
the growth and development of cells in the body. This
vitamin along with Vitamin B9 performs a essential part
in creating red blood cells in the bone marrow and helps
in the correct functioning of iron in the body. Both these
vitamins also greatly affect the functioning of the
S-adenosylmethionine compound, which is in the activities
of the immune system.
Anemic persons often lack Vitamin B12; thus, taking this
vitamin regularly can reduce the risk of anemia, which is
characterized by reduced level of red blood corpuscles that
carry oxygen from lungs to the tissues.
Pernicious anemia, which is a type of anemia that affects
the stomach lining, is often attributed to lack of Vitamin
B12. The underlying cause of this is the failure of the
stomach lining to produce a substance called intrinsic
factor, which is necessary for the absorption of Cobalamin
from the intestines.
Sufficient amount of this vitamin could help prevent the
destruction of this muscle tone lining the digestive tract.
Failure to absorb Cobalamin during the digestion also
causes symptoms like exhaustion, breathlessness, diarrhea,
tension, numbness and tingling sensations.
Those who suffered from severe ulcer and underwent stomach
surgery need to take a big dose of Vitamin B12. In fact,
some need lifetime injection of Vitamin B12 after
undergoing surgery.
Vegetarians, those with eating disorder and those with
intestinal infections and ulcer are advised to take more
Vitamin B12 since they are prone to Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 is also known to be beneficial to patients with
heart ailments. Based on several studies, it is found that
persons with coronary artery disease have high levels of
amino acid and homocysteine. They are more likely to suffer
stroke than persons with average levels of the vitamin.
Levels of homocysteine are greatly influenced by the
vitamins in the B complex group, in the main by Vitamins
B12, B9 and B6. Taking sufficient amount of the said
vitamins can reduce the danger of heart ailments, according
to The American Heart Association.
Many researches revealed that homocysteine levels can also
increase chances of ending up with osteoporosis. Thus, in
this instance, consuming enough Vitamin B12 can keep the
bones healthy and help prevent diseases. In addition,
Vitamin B12 promotes health of the hair, eyes, mouth,
liver, skin and the nervous system. The vitamin is
specifically useful in maintaining strong nerve cells and
thus taking sufficient amount of the vitamin can prevent
disorders affecting the nervous system. Vitamin B12 is very
beneficial to people with Alzheimer's disease, in
particular.
Those who are suffering from very serious burns will
require adequate intake of Vitamin B12 from the food they
eat. When burned, the skin loses large amount of nutrients
including Vitamin B12 so they have to be replenished to
reduce danger of infection, speed up healing process, and
diminish risk of complications, which could lead to death.
Like other B vitamins, Vitamin B12 also helps in the
utilization of folic acid and carbohydrates in the diet.
Vitamin B12 helps covert the carbohydrates into glucose
(sugar), which are then burned to produce energy.
The B vitamins are also known as anti-stress vitamins as
they are known for enhancing activities in the immune
system and help to improve the body's reaction to stress.
Vitamin B12, B9 and B6 are especially helpful in preventing
depression as high levels of these particular vitamins
decrease levels of homocysteine. It is believed that high
levels of homocysteine are associated with depression.
Vitamin B complex, particularly, Vitamin B12 (either
acquired directly from food that we eat or from
supplements, is likewise beneficial in preventing cataracts
(cloudy vision due to the damage to the eyes' lenses),
breast cancer and male infertility. Studies show that women
in postmenopausal stage have very low levels of Vitamin B12
in their blood and this increases the chances of having
breast cancer. Also, studies show that taking Vitamin B12
can help increase sperm counts and improve quality of
sperm.
Submit An Article
|
|  |
