Your chiropractor knows the benefits you get by keeping your nerves healthy and free of subluxations. Vitamin B12 serves an important part in maintaining strong nerves. It also helps in the production of red blood cells and plays a vital role in developing energy from protein, carbohydrates and fats.
Are you at risk of B12 deficiency? Certain people are vulnerable to developing it. In this issue, we look at the significance of vitamin B12 in keeping you healthy and how you can prevent a deficiency of this crucial nutrient.
Vitamin B12 and Your Diet
Vitamin B12 is found almost exclusively in meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. Another source is breakfast cereals that have been fortified with B12.
Specific foods that contain a good supply of this vitamin include:
- Mollusks
- Clams
- Haddock
- White Tuna
- Rainbow Trout
- Beef
- Milk
Important for Brain and Blood
If you’re not getting enough B12 or your body has problems absorbing it, you may notice symptoms such as fatigue, weakness and loss of appetite. Depression, memory loss, dementia and balance problems may also emerge because of low B12 levels.
B12 deficiency can lead to anemia. This condition results when your body doesn’t have an ample supply of red blood cells. Your organs then do not receive enough oxygen.
Do You Need a B12 Supplement?
The people most at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency are:
Strict vegetarians (no meat, fish, dairy or eggs)
People with stomach and intestinal problems
People over age 50
Vegetarians and vegans should closely monitor their B12 intake. People who only eat plant-based food sources may need to take a daily B12 supplement.
Anyone who has had surgery to remove or alter the size of his stomach may need supplementation. Gastric bypass surgery has become popular to treat severe obesity. However, it comes with the risk of serious complications, including the inability to absorb sufficient nutrients to stay healthy.
Studies related to neurology and psychiatry show the impact of B12 deficiency on the brain. A Swedish study on B12 and foliate (another B vitamin) showed subjects with low levels of these two nutrients had twice the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
And In a research review of depression studies, scientists noted a link between depression and low levels of both foliate and vitamin B12.
Getting the right nutrients in the proper amounts depend on many things. You can see how receiving enough B12 hinges on factors such as your age, dietary preferences, medications and health status. Why not make an appointment with your chiropractor to discuss your dietary habits? An individualized nutrition plan allows you to gain the maximum health benefits good nutrition can offer.