Vitamin B12

Taking vitamins is essential to a healthy and long life. For most of us, vitamins are consumed daily through the foods we eat, while others take vitamin supplements to replenish the body's supply. However you choose to get your vitamin s, it is important to know which ones are essential for body processes that help us every day.

Vitamin B12 (cobalamine) is a chemically complex vitamin that is naturally found in foods like fish, meat, poultry, eggs, and milk. This nutrient is also included in fortified breakfast cereals, providing an alternative source for vegetarians and vegans. Still, some vegans often require supplements of vitamin B12, as they typically won't consume enough B12 through their regular no-meat/no-dairy diet.

The main functions of vitamin B12 are to aid in your metabolism, to help you form red blood cells, and to maintain your central nervous system. B vitamins in general help you to make long-term energy and to carry oxygen through your body to sustain normal functions. In addition, folic acid (folate) works with B12 to produce healthy red blood cells. This is especially important with women who are pregnant, and these nutrients can help prevent birth defects like spina bifida.

Studies have shown that deficiencies of vitamin B12 can cause anemia at any age and even depression in older individuals. To avoid these conditions, B12 must be introduced regularly to the body. It is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning that it does not get stored in the body for future use. As you eat, it passes through your system, gets used as needed, and is then cleared from your body when you urinate.