All about Vitamin B12…
What is it?
Vitamin B12 (also called cobalamin) was the last vitamin to be identified, and has since become one of the most popular, having been attributed a wide range of crucial roles. The body stores significant levels of it in the liver, but these reserves can fall sharply after age 50, leading to vitamin B12 deficiency. Deficiency can be offset with supplementation, or one may opt to increase their intake of fish, eggs, and meats, which are all good natural sources.
How can it benefit you?
Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to serious symptoms including nerve damage, weakening of the muscles, depression, failing memory (people with Alzheimer’s often have low levels of it), fatigue, anemia, and stunted growth in children.
This vitamin is crucial for the formation and regeneration of red blood cells, the body’s manufacture of DNA and RNA (our cell’s genetic material), and the proper functioning of nerves. Moreover, vitamin B12 works synergistically with other vitamins (namely folic acid) to lower homocysteine levels. Having elevated homocysteine levels is one of the most important markers for risk of heart disease, and can lead to heart attacks.
Other functions and benefits include its role as an oxygen carrier, metabolizing fat, alleviating neurological disorders, and boosting the immune system.
Precautions
There is no known toxicity to Vitamin B12 in healthy individuals. Any excess the body needs is excreted in the urine.
According to the “New Encyclopedia Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, & Herbs” by Nicola Reavley “Large amounts of folic acid can mask anemia caused by Vitamin B12 deficiency. Although this is rare, in some cases it may lead to permanent nerve damage.” pg. 108
Therefore, the author of this book recommends that anyone with anemia not take more than 400 mcg of folic acid per day unless pernicious amenia is first ruled out by your physician.
Nutritional-Supplement-Articles Opinion
Even though vitamin B12 can be stored in large amounts by the body, some estimates by experts believe as many as 20% of older people may have a deficiency. Therefore, we believe middle-aged to older people should especially consider this vitamin as part of their dietary regimen after having first discussed it with their physicians. In addition, vegetarians may also harbor vitamin B12 deficiency because the highest sources come from animal products.
Tips on Choosing a Supplement
1. Vitamin B12 should be taken with folic acid because they work synergistically. For example, Reader’s Digest book “The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs” states: Buy a folic acid supplement that also contains vitamin B12 (too much of one can mask a deficiency in the other).” pg 293
The important mineral calcium, moreover, cannot be absorbed by the body in its absence. Therefore, we suggest, in general, you take your vitamin B12 as a part of a comprehensive, scientifically balanced formula, unless you have a specific reason to want a higher dosage for therapeutic purposes.
2. Dietary supplements are unregulated in the U.S., and consumers only have a 1 in 5 chance of buying a product with the actual ingredients stated on the label. Therefore, we recommend you buy your supplements only from pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities, which adhere to the highest regulatory standards.
3. Be sure your vitamin B12 supplement does not contain any fillers or additives (examples include: sugar, starch, gluten, silica (sand!)) or any artificial colors or flavors.
Why not buy the best? Your health depends on it.
A Comprehensive Product…
One company that meets the above requirements — and much more — is Xtend-Life Natural Products from New Zealand, which has one of the strictest regulatory environments in the world for the manufacture of dietary supplements, far exceeding U.S. FDA standards.
Their flagship product, Total Balance, contains vitamin B12, folic acid, and calcium, along with the full spectrum of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, potent herbal extracts, and other speciality nutrients. In fact, Total Balance contains almost every nutrient we cover on this entire site!
We here at Nutritional-Supplement-Info have been taking this product for the last year with excellent results.