Vitamin B12: Essential for Energy and Brain Health
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays essential roles in red blood cell formation, nerve function, and DNA synthesis. Unlike most other B vitamins, significant amounts of B12 are stored in your liver, meaning that deficiency can take years to develop but can have serious consequences when it does. Symptoms of B12 deficiency include fatigue, weakness, memory problems, tingling in hands and feet, and difficulty walking. In severe cases it can cause irreversible nerve damage. Because B12 is found almost exclusively in animal products, vegetarians and vegans are at highest risk for deficiency. Older adults are also at increased risk due to decreased absorption. Fortified foods like plant milks, breakfast cereals, and nutritional yeast provide B12 for those avoiding animal products. Supplementation is straightforward and effective. Cyanocobalamin is the most common and stable form while methylcobalamin is the active form. Sublingual tablets and injections are available for those with absorption issues. Blood testing can determine your B12 status.
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