What Is Vitamin B-12?
However, no clinical evidence suggests that it can boost energy in people who already have ample stores of it. It’s one of eight B vitamins that help the body convert the food you eat into glucose, which gives you energy. Vitamin B-12 has a number of additional functions.
You need it for the: production of elements of DNA
production of red blood cells
regeneration of bone marrow and the lining of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts
health of your nervous system, which includes your spinal cord
prevention of megaloblastic anemia
How much vitamin B-12 to take The amount of vitamin B-12 you need is primarily based on your age.
Do Older Adults Need More Vitamin B-12?
This reduces your body’s ability to absorb vitamin B-12. The survey also says that up to 20 percent of older adults may have borderline levels of vitamin B-12.
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days where we’re dragging, but if you consistently feel sluggish and find yourself reaching for sugary energy drink, check your diet.
You are probably familiar with B9, or better as folic acid. Getting Your “BS?”. They are also often recommended for older patients who have a diminished capacity to absorb vitamins and minerals, and in vegans, who may not get enough B12 due to their avoidance of meat, dairy and eggs.
The Color of Health
So Which Foods Should You Choose To Meet Your Daily Requirement Of B VitaMins?
Also, opt for brightly colored produce-incorporating a rainbow of nutritious fruits and vegetables in your diet will reward you with a plethora of vitamins and antioxidants. Add these B-vitamin powerhouses to your shopping list: strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, bananas, avocado, broccoli, asparagus, beets, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms and leafy greens. Luckily for us in Southern California, most of these foods are grown locally, so it’s easy to add fresh, nutrient-rich produce to your diet.”.
B vitamins (along with vitamin C) are water-soluble vitamins that travel through the bloodstream and are expelled regularly through urination. In order to get the full range of B vitamins (especially B12), you will need a balanced diet; so in addition to fresh produce, be sure to make fortified cereals, whole grains, legumes, beef, chicken, fish and shellfish, and eggs a part of your regular diet. And leave the energy drinks behin.
Explore:
Robably Familiar With Vitamin B6 And B12, But Did You Know There Are Actually Eight B Vitamins?
Spotlight on Three of the Bs: Folate, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12
One of the advances that changed the way we look at vitamins was the discovery that too little folate is linked to birth defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. It is also added to foods and sold as a supplement in the form of folic acid; this form is actually better absorbed than that from food sources—85% vs. 50%, respectively. It is also a key player in the function and development of brain and nerve cells.
Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The Nutrition Source does not recommend or endorse any product.
Berocca For You
But first, coffee.
Caffeine, found in coffee, tea and energy drinks, can give you an instant energy boost. But B vitamins can also help get your energy up by releasing energy from your food – without some of the drawbacks of caffeine.
So, Is One Better Than The Other?
Here’s a look at both. You can find it in coffee, most teas, cocoa, chocolate, cola, guarana and energy drinks. Caffeine can help you feel more awake and energetic, but it’s overall effects on your health are more complex.
Benefits of consuming caffeine
Coffee afficionados love their morning brew. Coffee isn’t just a social pleasure – it’s a way of life for many of us. Coffee makes us feel more awake and alert because it contains caffeine – a stimulant that speeds up the messaging between our brains and bodies.
Other than feeling more stimulated, people who drink coffee regularly might have a lower than average risk of certain chronic diseases. Just be aware that too much caffeine – for example, 3 espresso coffees or 6-7 instant coffees (more than 500mg) – can give you jitters and make it hard for you to sleep. So always stick to the recommended amount.