Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Benefits
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- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Benefits
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) RDI
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Food Sources
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Deficiency
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Deficiency Symptoms
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Cautions
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Interactions
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Lab Test & Other Interactions
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) benefits include:
- Vitamin B12 is necessary to make myelin sheath for nerves
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is needed to make the fatty, insulating substance around the nervous tissues (nerve cells) called the myelin sheath. The myelin sheath allows nervous impulses (messages) to be sent down the nerves quickly and for the muscles and the body to respond accordingly. Without correctly formed and healthy myelin sheath around the nerves, the body would lose its coordination skills and ability to function. In addition, research has shown that vitamin B12 deficiency may play a part in causing confusion, memory loss, mood swings, nerve inflammation, coordination problems and depression, even if blood tests for vitamin B12 levels are normal. - Vitamin B12 may help with memory
Studies show that vitamin B12 may help improve memory and other cognitive functions, including the ability to learn properly. This could be related to the requirement of vitamin B12 for making the myelin sheath of nerves, which ensures that nervous impulses are relayed properly. Memory and other cognitive functions require healthy nervous impulses to enable proper brain activity. - Vitamin B12 may treat some types of nerve damage
Studies show that Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) may help to reduce or at least manage some types of nerve damage, due to its beneficial action on the nerves and the outer coating (the myelin sheath).
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is needed to make the fatty, insulating substance around the nervous tissues (nerve cells) called the myelin sheath
- Vitamin B12 is involved in DNA production
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is required to act as a co-enzyme to enable proper and healthy DNA production. DNA is so important to ensure healthy cells with proper gene development that are fortified against damage and mutation. - Vitamin B12 is essential for the immune system
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is pivotal for the immune system to produce effective infection-fighting white blood cells that help reduce disease and infection. The effect of vitamin B12 in boosting the immune systems means that people who have higher (and healthy) levels of this vitamin will have better resistance to infection and disease. - Vitamin B12 may reduce risk of cancer
Various studies have shown that vitamin B12 may be useful in preventing risk of cancer. Research has centered on supplementation of vitamin B12 with vitamin C, which has been shown to prevent cancer cells from forming in laboratory mice which have been purposely injected with carcinogenic substances, compared to a control group that had not been supplemented. Other research with a group of people who smoke found low levels of both vitamin B12 and folic acid (folate), which was especially pronounced in people with pre-cancerous changes. The research showed that when the smokers were given both vitamin B12 and folic acid (folate) supplementation, the number of pre-cancerous cells decreased significantly. - Vitamin B12 may help people with Alzheimer's disease
Recent research shows that there may be a link between between people that have Alzheimer's-like dementia and lowered blood levels of vitamin B12. While it not yet established how the relationship between low levels of vitamin B12 and Alzheimer's disease happens, some researchers believe that ongoing low levels of vitamin B12 can cause irreversible neurological damage and that this damage could be the catalyst for cause Alzheimer's disease. Since vitamin B12 is vital for normal and healthy nerve function, it is known that low levels of this vitamin can cause neurological symptoms.