| Vitamin B12 Research | | | | cyanide poisoning or if you suffer from the more |
| The eight B Vitamins are lumped under the same | | | | severe form of pernicious anemia known as |
| name because they all play a role in cell metabolism - | | | | megaloblastic anemia, your doctor will likely prescribe |
| in other words, they all ensure that the various | | | | hydroxocobalmin. |
| systems in the body have enough energy to | | | | As an informed consumer, all you need to know |
| function. They differ in their scope and range, as well | | | | when you're reading the label on the bottle is:a) |
| as in their sources, but all are necessary for bodily | | | | hydroxocobalmin stays in the body longer than |
| health. The body produces energy in many ways, and | | | | cyanocobalmin, and is thus a more efficient form of |
| each B Vitamin has its own place. | | | | vitamin B12b) if you smoke, cyanocobalmin is likely |
| Vitamin B12 and Supplementation | | | | not going to give you the same benefits as |
| Vitamin B12's place extends primarily through the | | | | hydroxocobalmin, due to the cyanide from the |
| blood and within the nervous system. It is also | | | | cigarette smoke clogging up your body. |
| necessary for the production of DNA. Known as | | | | Cyanocobalmin's effectiveness is predicated on the |
| cobalmin due being centered around a cobalt ion, | | | | lack of cyanide in the body. |
| vitamin B12 can be found in most animal products. | | | | Vitamin B12 and Blood Health |
| Generally, if you eat any meat at all, you aren't at | | | | As mentioned, a vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to |
| risk for contracting Vitamin B12 deficiency; however, | | | | anemia, which stems from a lack of blood. Vitamin |
| there are two classes of people who are at risk and | | | | B12 plays a role in the synthesis of blood cells - |
| should definitely consider B12 supplementation. | | | | specifically, it helps to ensure that there's enough |
| As the body ages, some people are unable to utilize | | | | energy to produce the blood that's needed to keep |
| the B12 found in animal products. As such, B12 | | | | the body oxidated. |
| supplementation could be useful for people over | | | | In addition, it helps to reduce the levels of |
| sixty. Some of the conditions associated with B12 | | | | homocysteine in the blood. Homocysteine is often |
| deficiency in the elderly include memory loss, | | | | implicated in a number of cardiovascular conditions |
| dementia, and other cognitive disorders, as well as | | | | and diseases like thrombosclerosis, heart attacks, and |
| pernicious anemia, characterized by weakness, | | | | stroke. |
| fatigue, and shortness of breath. | | | | Vitamin B12 and Nervous System Health |
| If you're a vegan, vegetarian, or have chosen not to | | | | B12 plays a vital role in the production of myelin, |
| eat animal products, you're in danger of developing | | | | which insulates and protects nerve cells. B12 |
| B12 deficiencies similar to those suffered by the | | | | deficiency causes nerve cells' myelin sheathes to |
| elderly. Vitamin B12 is the only one of the B vitamins | | | | deteriorate, which research has linked to a number of |
| that can't be acquired from plant products. Many | | | | degenerative diseases, notably Alzheimer's disease, |
| vegan products claim to be fortified with vitamin B12, | | | | Parkinson's disease, and dementia. |
| but be wary! Spirulina, a common B12 | | | | A lack of myelin has also been implicated in a number |
| supplementation and healthy in its own right, doesn't | | | | of other diseases and conditions, such as impaired |
| actually replicate the activity of vitamin B12 within the | | | | sense of touch or impaired reflexes. Research in a |
| body. Using a cyanocobalmin or hydroxocobalmin | | | | number of these areas has shown that B12 |
| supplement would be a better idea to ensure that | | | | supplementation can help to treat these conditions. |
| you're getting the nutrition you need. | | | | B12 is necessary for the production of |
| Forms of Vitamin B12 in Supplementation | | | | neurotransmitters, associated with maintaining a |
| The two major types of supplemental B12 are | | | | steady mood and being able to concentrate, among |
| cyanocobalmin and hydroxocobalmin. The difference | | | | other things. Lack of B12 can thus lead to depression, |
| between the two is: one is cheaper, more widely | | | | mania, and other psychological conditions associated |
| used, and less effective (cyanocobalmin), the other is | | | | with neurotransmitter deficiency - and vitamin B12 |
| more expensive, more effective, and can treat a | | | | supplementation can help treat these conditions. |
| broader range of conditions. If you suffer from | | | | |