USANA Essential Tips

The B vitamins are one of the more common vitamins people know. B12 is a component of the B vitamin complex. However, no matter how popular these vitamins are there is still quite a percentage of the population that end up being Vit B12 deficient.

So what is vitamin B12 all about? Vitamin B12 is needed for the development of cells especially those of the GI tract, the nervous tissues and the bone marrow. They are also needed in the maintenance of the health of red blood cells and in DNA synthesis.

A deficiency in vitamin B12 however is not given its due attention since the signs and symptoms are late and gradual. Notwithstanding its importance, some of the grave consequences of vitamin B12 deficiency are memory problems, loss of vision, personality changes, anemia and shortness of breath.

When a mother is pregnant, folic acid is one of the most important supplements prescribed by physicians because of its role in the normal development of the fetus. Little do we know that folic acid and vitamin B12 are dependent on each other for its functions. If either is missing, there is a big tendency that deficiency in the other may also occur. Consequently, unwanted results may be manifested in the deprived fetus.

There are so many sources of Vitamin B12. Nonetheless, most of these sources come from animals so if you’re a vegetarian you will be at greater risk for developing vitamin B12 deficiency. Foods rich in vitamin B12 are beef, liver , kidney, egg and fish. For the vegetarians, milk and cheese are also perfect choices to maintain a healthy vitamin B12 level. Also, people who have gastrointestinal or absorption problems may be at risk for being vitamin B12 deficient. Therefore aside from consuming foods rich in vitamin B12, supplements are recommended.

Vitamin B12 is so easy to procure and not expensive at all. It is indeed a cheap price to pay for maintaining a healthy body even down to the cellular level. Just the way it should be.