|
Vitamin B-12 is essential for cell replication and i particulary important for red blood cell production. I maintains the protective sheath around nerves (mylin), assists in converting food to energy, and planys a critical role in the production of DNA and RNA, the genetic material in cells.
Vitamin B-12 (Cyancobalamin) is necessary for carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism as well as the production of myelin, a fatty substance four in the sheath that covers our nerves. A deficiency may play a part in many mild to severe physical and emotional symptoms such as confusion, moodiness, memory loss, peripheral neuritis, leg and finger incoordination, depression and psychosis.
Recent studies have uncovered a possible link between Alzheimer's like dementia and low vitamin B-12 levels in the blood as well as a role in cancer prevention when used with Vitamin C.
It is essential for hemoglobin and nerve cell growth and maintenance.
It is sometimes called the anti-stress vitamin, but is commonly known to cause pernicious anemia when there is a deficiency of Vitamin B-12. It needs to be given with other B Vitamins and especially Folic Acid to preclude irreversible nerve damage and dementia.
All sources of B-12 are animal in origin. The highest sources are lamb and beef kidneys; and lamb, beef, calf, and pork livers. Good sources include beef herring and mackerel. Egg yolk, milk, cheese, clams, sardines, salmon, crab meat and oysters also have reasonable amounts.
Previous Health Term: B-1 Vitamin (Thiamine)
Next Health Term: B-2 Vitamin (Riboflavin)
|
