{"id":161,"date":"2017-05-23T09:59:44","date_gmt":"2017-05-23T09:59:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=161"},"modified":"2021-03-10T16:35:05","modified_gmt":"2021-03-10T16:35:05","slug":"21-health-benefits-vitamin-b12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/21-health-benefits-vitamin-b12\/","title":{"rendered":"21 Health Benefits of Vitamin B12"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"There are plenty of different vitamins and minerals that the body needs in order to thrive. These include everything from \u2018obvious\u2019 nutrients like vitamin C and D, all the way to more obscure things like CoEnzyme Q10 and lutein.<\/p>\n

Things get a little complicated as soon as you get to \u2018B\u2019 in the alphabet in fact. There is not just one vitamin B but rather a vitamin B \u2018complex\u2019. That\u2019s right\u2026 it\u2019s actually called complex! It doesn\u2019t bode well\u2026<\/p>\n

But don\u2019t let that put you off. The B vitamins are just as important as Vitamin C and you really can\u2019t do without them. In this post, we\u2019ll take a look at why vitamin B12 is so important and why you need to ensure you get it from your diet or from a supplement at the very least!<\/p>\n

1. Energy Levels<\/h3>\n

Vitamin B12 is crucial for your energy levels. That\u2019s because it works much like iron to help you build red blood cells, which are known for carrying oxygen and nutrients around the body. As soon as your vitamin B12 levels start to dip, you can find yourself with lower levels of energy as well. In fact, low B12 can even lead to its own kind of anemia<\/a>. If you feel fatigued and tired, then low B12 may just be the culprit.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. Depression<\/h3>\n

B12 is also able to help combat depression and chronic stress. It does this by regulating the nervous system and thereby helping to maintain homeostasis and \u2018parasympathetic tone\u2019.<\/p>\n

That is to say that the body is not to \u2018wired\u2019 in fight or flight mode, but also not too relaxed in \u2018rest and digest\u2019 states.<\/p>\n

B12 has been shown in studies to be effective in treating and perhaps even preventing the onset of depression<\/a>. So if you are concerned that this is something you may be at risk of, that\u2019s another reason to up your intake of red meats!<\/p>\n

\"\"3. Birth Defects<\/h3>\n

It turns out that B12 might also be helpful for reducing the risk of birth defects. This is because B12 serves an important role in the creation of DNA.<\/p>\n

In studies, diets right in B12 reduce the risk of Down\u2019s syndrome<\/a> and other developmental conditions. Mothers may wish to add B12 through their diet or to take a supplement in order to ensure that those crucial supplies are passed to the baby.<\/p>\n

Other important nutrients for mothers to ensure they are getting enough to include omega 3 fatty acids and lutein.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. Hepatitis C<\/h3>\n

B12 can actually be useful in combating a wide range of different conditions then and another of these is hepatitis<\/a> C. This is because B12 is able to improve the body\u2019s immune system.<\/p>\n

And through this mechanism, studies suggest that B12 supplementation might be able to reduce the risk of hepatitis C by as much as 34%.<\/p>\n

It may also help to make other types of treatment more effective and more likely to solve the problem.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. Immune System<\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t have hepatitis C? You can probably still benefit from a generally stronger immune system! B12 also strengthens the immune system against colds<\/a>, flus, and other viruses and might help to prevent you from taking so many sick days!<\/p>\n

This is something that shouldn\u2019t be understated. Even when you aren\u2019t sick in bed, you may often find your body combating low-level infections and bugs, which can prevent you from performing at your very best and create issues such as inflammation of the brain through pro-inflammatory cytokines.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. Brains<\/h3>\n

Turns out that Vitamin B12<\/a> might also be a powerful agent in improving cognitive function. Vitamin B12 helps the brain to regulate a number of important neurotransmitters and is a \u2018precursor\u2019 to many of these chemicals.<\/p>\n

In other words, the brain needs vitamin B12 in order to synthesize the very chemicals it uses to communicate between cells. This can enhance your mood, improve concentration, boost memory and more!<\/p>\n

At the same time, vitamin B12 helps the brain to get more blood and oxygen, which improves its energy levels for even better performance.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. Memory<\/h3>\n

One particular aspect of mental performance that will be boosted by vitamin B12 is memory.<\/p>\n

The precise mechanism of action behind this effect isn\u2019t fully known but what we do know is that studies show clearly that supplementation<\/a> with vitamin B12 improves performance on memory-based tasks.<\/p>\n

\"\"8. Cancer Prevention<\/h3>\n

Yet another benefit of vitamin B12 is cancer prevention. As mentioned, vitamin B12 is important for the maintenance of the DNA and this is crucial for combating cancer.<\/p>\n

Cancer is literally caused by damage to the DNA, which then proliferates and spreads each time the cells divide. If B12 can help to prevent these mutations from occurring in the first place, it might reduce cancer risk.<\/p>\n

The studies that have looked at this possible link so far have been highly promising.
\nFor the best results, combine vitamin B12 with folic acid<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. Heart<\/h3>\n

Vitamin B12 is good for the brain and the heart as it would turn out.<\/p>\n

Heart disease is still the number one cause of death in the US, which is a result of poor diets and poor exercise. But getting a little more vitamin B12 in the diet will reduce this risk somewhat by lowering the chances of blood clots.<\/p>\n

This also means you\u2019ll be at a lower risk of strokes<\/a> as well!<\/p>\n

\"\"10. Aging<\/h3>\n

Who wouldn\u2019t like to slow down the hands of time for just a bit? According to certain studies, vitamin B12 might also be able to help us do that to some extent.<\/p>\n

B12 helps to prevent age-related cognitive decline for instance because it helps to regulate the compound homocysteine in the body. This could help to slow down Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n

If you add in the reduced risk of heart disease and stroke and higher energy levels, this should all be enough to put the spring back in your step. And by maintaining the body\u2019s DNA, vitamin B12 can also prevent slight damage that leads to general deterioration as we age.<\/p>\n

Throw in some antioxidants<\/a> and you have your ideal elixir for a long, healthy life!<\/p>\n

\"\"11. Weight Loss<\/h3>\n

Anything that can increase your energy levels can understandably also help you to lose weight. That\u2019s because you\u2019ll have more energy to exercise and to burn off those calories<\/a> and fat stores but also because you\u2019ll be using the energy in your body more efficiently.<\/p>\n

Instead of it simply being stored in the body, you\u2019ll instead be able to send it to wherever it is needed (the brain, the muscle, etc.) and that way see a significant boost in your performance.<\/p>\n

\"\"12. Physical Performance<\/h3>\n

Many athletes will attempt to boost their performance using beet juice or even garlic<\/a>. These work by widening the blood vessels and thereby encouraging the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles to help them run faster and further \u2013 they\u2019re what you call \u2018vasodilators\u2019.<\/p>\n

Vitamin B12 isn\u2019t a vasodilator but the fact that it can help to form red blood cells means that it can offer all the same benefits \u2013 delivering oxygen and important nutrients right where the body needs them.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re heading to the gym, then this might also help you to get a greater sense of pump and then to recover more quickly after.<\/p>\n

And improved nerve function can\u2019t hurt your performance either!<\/p>\n

\"\"13. Healing<\/h3>\n

Once again, the fact that B12 helps you to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the parts of the body where it is needed means that you can more rapidly heal wounds.<\/p>\n

One of the signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency<\/a> is that cuts and other wounds won’t seem to heal as they should and that you notice lingering marks that might eventually form into scars.<\/p>\n

Keep your B12 levels high and you\u2019ll notice that the quality of your skin improves and your wounds heal a lot more quickly.<\/p>\n

\"\"14. Protein Metabolization<\/h3>\n

Those gym rats among you reading this might have gotten interested right around the point when I said it could increase the pump and provide you with more energy for workouts. Well, what if I told you that it can also help you to make better use of the protein<\/a> in your diet?<\/p>\n

Vitamin B12 is a key player when it comes to protein metabolism and that means that you should be able to build muscle a little more easily.<\/p>\n

More than that, it can also enhance your skin, hair and various important functions and processes throughout the body. Protein is used for countless roles and that makes it absolutely essential.<\/p>\n

\"\"15. Skin<\/h3>\n

We\u2019ve already seen that vitamin B12 can help you to stay healthier into old age. As it happens though, it can also help you to look better as you age as well! That\u2019s because vitamin B12 plays a role in healing skin cells and thereby making your skin look smoother and younger.<\/p>\n

It actually goes further than this too and can help with a number of irritations at a younger age too. It can reduce dryness for example, as well as redness, acne<\/a> and a range of blemishes.<\/p>\n

If your skin is suffering, adding more B12 to your diet might just help get you back on track.<\/p>\n

\"\"16. Hair<\/h3>\n

We might as well call vitamin B12 the \u2018beauty nutrient\u2019. Not only does it make the skin look better but it can also help give you more luscious, flowing locks. It does this by adding more shine and moisture to the hair and by delivering blood, oxygen, and nutrients<\/a> to the follicles.<\/p>\n

Just like you need to give plants in your garden nutrients through your fertilizers, so too do you need to \u2018fertilize\u2019 your hair with nutrients that it will use to grow thicker and stronger.<\/p>\n

\"\"17. Nails<\/h3>\n

Yet another aesthetic benefit of vitamin B12 is how it helps the nails. You\u2019ll find that if you start getting more vitamin B12 in your diet that your nails start to appear stronger and glossier.<\/p>\n

Again, this works because you are better making use of the protein<\/a> in your body (which goes into the formation of your nails) but also because it will provide the nail beds with the blood and nutrients that they need in order to form healthy and good-looking nails.<\/p>\n

Flowing hair, glowing skin, and growing nails!<\/p>\n

\"\"18. Digestive Health<\/h3>\n

Another great benefit of vitamin B12 is how it improves the digestive system. You might find that you are more likely to get heartburn and other issues if you aren\u2019t getting enough vitamin B12 and in particular, it can lead to constipation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Make sure you\u2019re getting enough vitamin B12 and this will help you to better absorb the other nutrients in your diet, as well as to keep them moving through the body as they should be.<\/p>\n

\"\"19. Taste<\/h3>\n

Interestingly, vitamin B12<\/a> can actually improve your enjoyment of food and increase your appetite and your appreciation of food.<\/p>\n

Now those of you trying to lose weight might view this as a bad thing but the reality is that adding more vitamin B12 to your diet can help you to get more enjoyment out of one of the most fundamental pleasures of human existence.<\/p>\n

\"\"20. Eczema<\/h3>\n

We\u2019ve seen that vitamin B12 is good for the skin generally. But perhaps you didn\u2019t realize that it is also good for combating eczema<\/a> specifically.<\/p>\n

Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that anyone suffering from eczema should consider adding to their diet. It not only treats eczema directly but can also reduce the likelihood of developing eczema in the first place if you are at risk.<\/p>\n

And this is no joke either \u2013 eczema is a painful condition that leads to cracked and bleeding skin, as well as itching and redness.
\nB12 also helps to generally moisturize the skin and prevent dryness and flakiness!<\/p>\n

\"\"21. Cell Formation<\/h3>\n

A more general benefit of B12 is its ability to aid with the formation and growth of new cells. This is one way in which it can help to improve the skin by letting healthy cells proliferate naturally.<\/p>\n

At the same time, it can also help to combat aging yet further as well as to increase brain function and also prevent errors in mitosis (the division of cells) which could otherwise lead to mutations and potentially even cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In short, then, vitamin B12 is essentially a wonder nutrient that can do everything from keeping your brain quick and young to improving the look and strength of your hair, skin, nails and more. It boosts energy and helps with nerve function and through all these features it supports normal health. If you aren\u2019t getting enough of it, then start seeking out more in your diet right away to see noticeable benefits!<\/p>\n\r\n

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