Vitamins are divided into different categories such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D and so on, based upon what benefits they provide to the human body. Vitamin B is again divided into sub-categories which comprises of 9 water soluble vitamins and 4 fat soluble vitamins. Vitamin deficiency can cause chronic health conditions therefore it is important to understand which vitamin serves what benefits. We all know about the benefits of vitamin B but only few of us know about Vitamin B12. Problems which are highly ignored such as fatigue, headaches, mouth ulcer, dizziness and mood swings are signs of deficiency of Vitamin B12.
WHAT IS VITAMIN B12?
Vitamin B12 is the water soluble vitamin. It is neither found in animals nor in plants. It is generally found animal foods except honey. Humans consume Vitamin B12 by consuming animal meat. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 is mostly seen in vegetarians that lead to nerve damage and dementia. Apart from vegetarians, heavy drinkers, smokers, pregnant and breast-feeding women and older people of age 75 and above are more prone to Vitamin B12 deficiency. Although deficiency of Vitamin B12 is very rare because liver stores enough of Vitamin B12 which can last for couple of years but it should not be ignored as it affects our metabolism.
PROBLEMS CAUSED BY DEFICIENCY OF VITAMIN B12
Deficiency of Vitamin B12 can cause illness such as anaemia, constipation, weight loss, depression, poor memory, asthma, low sperm count and loss of appetite. This can lead to severe nerve problem which will affect you brain and the functioning of your body. Other than these symptoms, lack of breath, ringing of ears, mouth ulcer, digestion problem and stomach ulcer can be the signs of deficiency of Vitamin B12 which can be cured only by consuming Vitamin B12 sources.
SOURCES OF VITAMIN B12
How to get Vitamin B12 for your body is an important question. Vitamin B12 sources are easily available at your home itself. Meat, fish, poultry, cheese and other dairy products are rich sources of Vitamin B12. For vegetarians, there are Vitamin B12 fortified foods and Vitamin B12 supplements which can fulfil the requirement of Vitamin B12 without consuming animal meat. These Vitamin B12 sources for vegetarians are fortified soymilk, fortified meat analogue, fortified Vitamin B12 energy bar. Fortified meat analogues are 100% vegetarian and are made from wheat gluten and soybean to resemble meat. Vitamin B12 supplements for vegetarians are free from any animal product.
BENEFITS OF VITAMIN B12
There are numerous Vitamin B12 benefits which help our body in functioning efficiently and prevent us from the fatigue, depression and other symptoms of deficiency of Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 helps in converting carbohydrates into glucose which fights from fatigue and provide energy to our body. It helps in maintaining proper cell division and formation of blood in our body. Vitamin B12 also controls blood pressure and protects us from breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer. It is necessary to consult a doctor or a dietician before consuming any Vitamin B12 source because excessive consumption of Vitamin B12 can also harm your body.