Health BENEFITS of Vitamin B12:
- helps the body convert food into energy
- assists in the production of red blood cells
- supports a healthy nervous system
- helps maintain insulation around nerve cells
- supports good brain health
- helps prevent heart disease and stroke
- aids in the production of the genetic material DNA and RNA
- helps control blood levels of homocysteine
Foods HIGH in Vitamin B12:
- anchovies
- beef
- chicken
- clam
- crab
- eggs
- lamb
- liver
- mussels
- oysters
- salmon
- sardines
- scallops
- shrimp
- Swiss cheese
- turkey
- tuna
- yogurt
Things to KNOW About Vitamin B12:
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) belongs to the group of eight "B-complex" vitamins. The B vitamins work together with enzymes (molecules that speed up chemical reactions within cells) to break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats from the foods you eat and turn them into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the main source of energy within every cell of your body.
The B vitamins also play an important role in maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal tract, as well as healthy skin, eyes, nails, hair, liver, heart, and nerves.
All B vitamins are water soluble, meaning they dissolve easily in water. Any excess B vitamins the body doesn't need are released through the urine. Since extra B vitamins aren't stored in the body, you must consume them daily for good health.
Vitamin B12 works together with vitamins B6 and B9 to help control blood levels of homocysteine (a pro-inflammatory amino acid associated with heart disease, stroke, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease).
Vitamin B12 is found exclusively in animal products and there are no plant foods that contain it. Vitamin B12 is produced by microbial synthesis in the digestive tract of animals. Consequently, when consuming an exclusive Vegan diet, it's crucial to take vitamin B12 dietary supplements or consume vitamin B12 fortified foods to avoid deficiencies. This is particularly important during pregnancy and breastfeeding.