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Vitamin B-12 is a very important nutrient
necessary for sufficient formation of mature red
blood cells and for the proper functioning of the
brain and spinal cord. Studies have also shown that
Vitamin B-12 and other B vitamins (folate and B-6)
may help prevent heart disease by lowering blood
levels of homocysteine. In recent years, experts
have become more concerned about Vitamin B-12
deficiency in people over 50 and those following a
strict vegetarian diet, even though people of any
age can be deficient in this essential nutrient.
Although Vitamin B-12 is found primarily in red
meats, it is also found in dairy products, fish,
poultry, other meats, and fortified foods. |
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For
our bodies to utilize the Vitamin B-12 consumed in
our diets, the stomach must secrete adequate amounts
of gastric acid, plus the digestive enzyme pepsin,
and then, in order to be absorbed, the free vitamin
must combine with a protein known as “intrinsic
factor.” In older people this process may be
incomplete: 20 to 30% of people over age 50 don’t
produce enough stomach acid, and thus their B-12
absorption is reduced. A poor diet and heavy
drinking at any age can contribute to a Vitamin B-12
deficiency as can taking certain medications such as
glucophage (for Type II diabetes) and many stomach
antacids. Vegans (who eat no animal products, which
are the best sources of B-12) can be deficient, as
can those who undergo gastric bypass surgery or have
diseases of the intestinal tract. |
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When deficiency is the problem |
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In
today’s society, many people complain of being tired
all of the time, lacking energy and not sleeping
well. For many people, simply adding a good
multi-vitamin to their daily diet is enough to
lessen these complaints. On the other hand, severe
Vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause confusion, memory
loss, tingling and weakness in the limbs,
hallucinations, and listlessness. This may be
misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease or other
conditions or the person suffering from these
symptoms may simply attribute them to “aging.” If
you have any of these serious symptoms or suspect
you are deficient, please get medical help. Blood
tests can diagnose deficiency, and blood levels of
the Vitamin B-12 can be brought up in various
ways—oral or sublingual tablets, nasal gels, and
injections. |
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Injections vs.
pills |
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Many
people have found that monthly injections of Vitamin
B-12 have helped them in many ways that tablets have
not. Many of them report they have more energy,
stronger immune systems (with less allergies and
incidences of seasonal illness), less stress and
depression, more restful sleep, and less
frequent/less severe headaches when they take
Vitamin B-12 injections on a regular basis. Because
of variations in individual metabolism, some people
who begin taking Vitamin B-12 injections may feel
the differences within several days while others may
take up to several months to discern a change in
their health. |
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Please note that persons with chronic
liver or kidney disease and those allergic to cobalt
should not take Vitamin B-12 injections and should
consult with their physicians. |
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