Going on a diet can be very frustrating, especially if you are not losing weight as fast as you want to, and also if you are not able to do it properly. To maintain your health and diet, you should take various foods, vegetables and vitamins; and one among the important vitamins is Vitamin B12. It performs many functions in our body.
Importance of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12, along with vitamin B folate, makes the genetic material of our body. It helps keep the levels of homocysteine and amino acids under control and is required by the body to make RBC or the red blood cells that carry oxygen to different parts of the body. It is also required for proper functioning of the nervous system and producing DNA. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 poses a high risk of heart disease; the chances of anemia are also increased.
Deficiency Symptoms
Deficiency of vitamin B12 can be made out through some of its symptoms that include frequent tiredness, feeling of weakness, light headedness, increased rate of heartbeat or breathing, sore tongue, weight loss, pale skin, stomach upset, and diarrhea, among others. In infants, its deficiency can also lead to irrevocable damage of the nervous system. Hence, it is crucial to notice symptoms before they get worse.
How to Prevent the Deficiency
In order to avoid the deficiency, one should be careful as to the types of foods and nutrients the body takes in. Vitamin B12 can be found in foods such as milk, cheese and various vegetables. Apart from regular foods, you can also take it in the form of supplements that are available in the market. For a person of 14 years and higher, a daily intake of 2.4 mcg of vitamin B12 is recommended.
