Health Benefits of Vitamin B12

The human body needs various minerals and vitamins to perform its functions. Most of these can be obtained when you eat a healthy balanced diet.

Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin which is needed for a lot of bodily functions. It has beneficial effects on your mood, energy levels, hair, skin, memory, and heart. It also affects the central nervous system in various positive ways. It keeps your nerves and red blood cells healthy.

A lot of people take vitamin supplements to compensate the daily requirement of vitamins. Make sure you consult your doctor before taking any vitamin supplement. Strict vegetarians, elderly people, and pregnant and breastfeeding women, are the ones who should most definitely take Vitamin B12 Supplements.

Vitamin B12 Sources

The top food sources of Vitamin B12 include –

• Milk
• Fortified Cereals
• Chicken
• Eggs
• Cheese
• Oysters
• Crab
• Salmon
• Turkey
• Trout
• Herring
• Shrimp
• Sardines

Health Benefits of Vitamin B12

1. Beneficial for Central Nervous System

One of the main benefits of vitamin B12 is that it has positive effects on body’s central nervous system. It helps to maintain health of nerves and also forms a protective covering on nerves, called cell’s myelin sheath. It is also helpful in reducing depression and brain shrinkage.

Components of Vitamin B12 play a pivotal role in prevention of disorders of brain development, mood disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in elderly people. Low levels of vitamin B12 in the body can cause cognitive functions to suffer.

2. Good for Digestive Health

Appropriate levels of vitamin B12 help the digestive system in proper functioning. If taken in adequate amounts you’ll see a difference in your digestive health. It helps prevent constipation and you’ll not feel full and sluggish.

Also backed up digestion can lead to toxicity in the body, vitamin B12 prevents that from happening. Eating a diet rich in vitamin B12 and fiber can be helpful.

3. Reduces Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental conditions in the modern society. Various vitamins like vitamin D and vitamin B12 are known to be effective in reducing depression. You can take a diet rich in vitamin B12 and even opt for Vitamin B12 supplements. But make sure you talk to your doctor about depression and then only take vitamin supplements.

4. Essential For Your Skin, Nails, and Hair

We all want a clear glowing skin and healthy luscious hair. But due to environmental damage, stress, and use of chemical products, our skin and hair become dull and lifeless. Having a diet rich in vitamin B12 will be helpful for your skin, nails, and hair. It helps in cell regeneration and constant renewal of skin cells.

It is known for its ability to give your hair shine and a healthy look. For skin, Vitamin B12 helps reduce dryness, dullness, and blemishes. Thus, your skin looks more radiant and naturally healthy.

You can also talk to your dermatologist and ask him/her for the best Vitamin B12 supplements for your hair and skin.

5. Boosts Energy Levels

If you feel tired and lethargic the entire day, then there are chances that you have low levels of vitamin B12 in your body. Vitamin B12 is known to boost energy levels and keeps you alert. A lot of energy drinks also have considerable amount of vitamin B12, but it is best to obtain vitamins through natural sources.

6. Protects Against Heart Diseases

With the fast paced lifestyle of today, it is essential that we take care of our heart from an early age. Vitamin B12 protects against heart diseases by curbing and improving unhealthy cholesterol levels. It is also beneficial in protecting against stroke and high blood pressure.

With the right diet, exercise, and vitamin B12 supplements you can surely have a safe and healthy heart.

7. It May Help Against Various Kinds of Cancer

Various studies have shown that taking adequate amount of Vitamin B12 through diet or supplements can help prevent against various forms of cancer namely breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer. It may prevent these cancers from occurring and may help to treat if already present.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 Deficiency is hard to detect. But some of the most common symptoms are –

• Joint Pain
• Muscle Aches
• Chronic Fatigue
• Feeling Dizzy
• Inability to Concentrate
• Poor Appetite
• Shortness of Breath
• Digestive Problems – Diarrhea, Nausea
• Mood Swings
• Poor Dental Health

Vitamin B12 is quite essential for your general health and fitness. Therefore, including Vitamin B12 foods in diet or buying Vitamin B12 supplements online for consumption (as recommended by a health expert or doctor) can be helpful.