Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell formation and prevention of birth defects, among others.
Hi, Dr. Jim here with you today to talk about all-important vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is important for gastrointestinal or digestive function, red blood cell formation, proper nervous system function and a thing called DNA integrity.
Individuals deficient in vitamin B12 may suffer from anemia. They may have digestive disturbances and impaired nutrient absorption. Due to B12’s effect on the nervous system, they may have neuropathy, difficulty walking, as well as numbness, tingling and discomfort in their arms and legs.
People with vitamin B-12 deficiency can have depression, even dementia and perhaps most important, B12 deficiency may lead to birth defects because of its importance in stabilizing DNA pathways.
Foods rich in vitamin B 12 include things like eggs, brie cheese, clams, crab, beef, and chicken.
The daily allowance for adults is 2.4 µg. Supplements generally contain 30 µg and you need not worry about toxicity with vitamin B12, because the tolerable upper limit is 2000 µg daily according to the Linus Pauling Micronutrient Institute.
This is Dr. Jim for Be Happy! Be Happy! Power your path to happiness. Subscribe to Be Healthy! Be Happy! with Dr. Jim on YouTube. And I’ll see you next time when I talk about vitamin C.
Reference: Linus Pauling Micronutrient Institute at Oregon State University available at: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-B12