Here’s our process. Cobalamin is another name for vitamin B12. This can lead to a number of symptoms and can even progress to irreversible neurological issues if left untreated.
In the United States and United Kingdom, approximately 6% of adults aged 60 or younger have vitamin B12 deficiency.
2. May Prevent Major Birth Defects
Adequate vitamin B12 levels are crucial to a healthy pregnancy. Studies show that a fetus’s brain and nervous system require sufficient B12 levels from the mother to develop properly. Furthermore, maternal vitamin B12 deficiency may contribute to premature birth or miscarriage One study found that women with vitamin B12 levels lower than 250 mg/dL were three times more likely to give birth to a child with birth defects, compared to those with adequate levels For women with a vitamin B12 deficiency and levels below 150 mg/dL the risk was five times higher, compared to women with levels above 400 mg/dL They’re important for the prevention of brain and spinal cord birth defects.
Health Benefits
Depression Prevention and Treatment
Vitamin B12 plays a role in serotonin production, so a deficiency may be connected with clinical depression. In one study, disabled older women with a B12 deficiency were found to have double the risk of severe depression as those without a deficiency. In addition, high levels of vitamin B12 have been associated with better chances of recovery from major depressive disorder.
Reduced Risk of Macular Degeneration
Supplementing with vitamin B12 is believed to lower homocysteine in the bloodstream, which may help prevent age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease that can cause blindness in older adults. Their risk of severe degeneration was 41% lower. Mothers with low B12 levels are also more likely to miscarry or give birth prematurely.
Women with low levels of vitamin B12 are three times more likely to have a child with birth defects. Brain Health
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient for the neurons in the brain. Brain atrophy, which refers to the loss of neurons in the brain, is associated with memory loss and dementia.
In one randomized trial, older adults with early-stage dementia who were given vitamin B12 supplements to lower their blood homocysteine levels demonstrated a slower rate of cognitive and clinical decline. Another study found that low B12 levels, even within the normal range, contribute to poor memory performance. More studies are needed before researchers can be certain of the impact of B12 supplementation on memory loss and dementi.
Where Can I Find B12?
What Happens If I Don’T Get Enough B12?
What Does B12 Help With?
Energy
B12 contributes to the production of red blood cells which carry oxygen all around our bodies. Oxygen travels from your lungs into the blood and flows to all your vital organs: brain, lungs and muscles. If these organs do not receive enough oxygen, they’ll slow down and you’ll experience fatigue and tiredness.
Digestion
B12 is thought to aid with the digestion and absorption of macronutrients. Without the right amount of B12 in your diet, vital nutrients will not pass through your body and not absorb into the blood – causing deficiencies.