Posts Tagged ‘Vitamin B 12’



A deficiency of Vitamin B12 is a serious problem that many people experience and the reason that you are likely online looking for a cheap vitamin B 12 supplement. Because it can take up to five to six years to fully recognize the symptoms of such a deficiency, many people do not realize they even have it. While a simple blood test can determine a person’s level of B12, many people do not get the test performed because they do not realize they have a problem.

A lack of B12 hampers digestion. In turn, poor digestion, which is often connected with various gastrointestinal diseases and disorders such as Crohn’s disease and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) limits the amount of B12 the body can normally absorb. So, even if all you eat is red meat and salmon (both proven to have high amounts of B12) but suffer from an intestinal disorder, your body cannot absorb the B12 being consumed.

Ever had numbness or tingling in your extremities? That’s a neurological symptom. Tired? Both anemia and fatigue can present as symptoms. Other physical symptoms of low B12 levels include constipation, loss of appetite, and weight loss. That’s not all. Soreness of the tongue or mouth is a less usual one. However, many of them like balance issues, mood issues, memory issues, dementia and confusion are likely to be mistaken for other things. Since so many of these are also symptoms of other illnesses or problems, so a doctor should be consulted to rule out other potential problems.

The elderly are also at a higher risk for having low levels of vitamin B12. Approximately 30% of older adults experience atrophic gastritis (a condition in which the stomach is inflamed and the amounts of gastric juices that are secreted lowers) which in turn effects how much B12 the body can absorb and use through the consumption of food. Ironically, the body does not seem to have any trouble absorbing synthetic B12, so people who have digestive problems like the ones discussed above would best be served by taking supplements to increase the amount of B12 in the body.

As people get older, many find that the amount of medications they must take increases. Nothing is cheap these days, and for some choices must be made as to which medicines they may afford in any given month. For people who need to supplement their diets, finding a cheap vitamin B12 supplement is the way to go. They are available on-line, which make them easy to buy, and convenient for older people who may not have much mobility outside of the home.



Vitamin B-12 is a water soluble vitamin which helps maintain healthy nerves cells and red blood cells. It functions as a methyl donor and works with folic acid in the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells and is vitally important in maintaining the health of the insulation sheath that surrounds nerve cells. Vitamin B-12 is also called Cobalamin as it contains the metal cobalt. During digestion hydrochloric acid in our stomach releases B-12 from proteins in foods. This vitamin B12 then combines with a substance called gastric intrinsic factor (IF). This complex can then be absorbed by the intestinal tract.

Deficiency:

Though Vitamin B-12 is water-soluble it does not get excreted quickly in the urine, but rather accumulates and gets stored in the liver, kidney and other body tissues. Thus its deficiency may not manifest itself until after 5 or 6 years of a diet supplying inadequate amounts. The most common vitamin B-12 deficiency disease is pernicious anemia characterized by large, immature red blood cells. You may suffer from underlying stomach or intestinal disorder that limits the absorption of vitamin B-12.It is seen that many patients exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer’s actually suffer from Vitamin B-12 deficiency. Deficiency of vitamin B12 has also been associated with.

Common signs and symptoms associated with Vitamin B-12 deficiency include:

o Anemia, fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, and weight loss

o Neurological problems such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet

o Difficulty in maintaining balance

o Depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory

o Soreness of the mouth or tongue

o Asthma, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, tinnitus, diabetic neuropathy and low sperm counts

o In infants it will lead to movement disorders, delayed development, and megaloblastic anemia

Anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency can be treated by taking folic acid but it cannot correct the nerve damage also caused by B12 deficiency. Permanent nerve damage can occur if vitamin B12 deficiency is not treated.
Amount required:

The amount of vitamin B-12 required by our body is about 2 micrograms or 2 millionth of a gram/day. Larger amounts of this vitamin has to be supplied through diet or supplementation as it does not get absorbed very well. Vegetarians have to be careful as vegetables and fruits do not provide sufficient vitamin B-12. It has been recorded that mainly strict, long-term vegetarians suffer from its deficiency. The production of the intrinsic factor required to absorb the vitamin from the small intestine also starts to decline rapidly with age. The richest dietary sources of vitamin B12 are liver, especially lamb’s liver, and kidneys. Eggs, cheese and some species of fish also supply small amounts.

Supplementation:

Oral supplementation with vitamin B12 can be taken which is safe, efficient and not very expensive. If you take a B12 supplement containing ten micrograms or more everyday, it will be the same as consuming one microgram on three occasions through the day. 2000 micrograms of B12 consumed once a week would also provide an adequate intake. These B12 supplement tablet should be chewed or allowed to dissolve in the mouth to enhance absorption. You should not exceed more than what is required for maximum benefit.

It is best that you consult with your physician how much Vitamin B-12 you should consume as he can examine your body and tell you the dosage according to your body requirements.



Vitamin B8 is a water-soluble vitamin, which is not only widely distributed in food but also manufactured in the lower digestive tract of the human body. It is very stable when heated.

Benefits of Vitamin B8 -

* Vitamin B8 or biotin is imperative for a healthy immune system. It is necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats from food. It is also required for the utilization of proteins, folic acid and vitamin B 12.

* Vitamin B8 plays an important role DNA and RNA synthesis (genetic material), production of red blood cells and proper functioning of the nervous system.

* It is essential for the growth of healthy hair as well as prevents premature greying of the hair as well as hair loss. Biotin, found as an active ingredient in many of today’s shampoos and hair conditioners, is said to repair damaged hair and keep hair healthy.

* This vitamin also helps to maintain the skin in healthy condition. It helps to evenly distribute the colour pigment – melanin throughout the skin. Deficiency of this vitamin often leads to pigmentation problems.

* Required in the creation of glycogen, and is also essential in the making of fatty acids.

* Essential for pregnant women as it helps prevention of neural tube birth defects

* It has a significant role in red blood cell formation along with homocysteine metabolism (required for proper functioning of the heart). Deficiency of Vitamin B-8 results in megaloblastic anemia.

Deficiency of Vitamin B8 -

A deficiency in B8 is rare since it is widely available in food.