The benefits of vitamin B12 and the daily dose of it
Vitamin B12 is one of the vitamin B complex group, and it has a very important role in many body functions. We will learn more about the benefits of vitamin B12 or cobalamin, and its relationship to nerve health, and also the most important information about supplementation and the appropriate dose of it, all in the following article.
What is vitamin B12?
It is one of the vitamins that are considered soluble in water, and it has an important role in maintaining nerve health, red blood cell formation, DNA production, and other important functions in the body.
The drug is available in animal sources, and it is also available as supplements and injections in the event that there is a problem in obtaining it from foods, and in this case the doctor determines the appropriate drug form, but after diagnosis of course, and supplements or injections should not be taken, without medical advice.
Benefits of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 has multiple benefits for the body that will surprise you, the most important of which are:
Anemia prevention
Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the process of producing red blood cells, and therefore the lack of levels of this vitamin affects the condition of these cells, which may cause a health problem, including megaloblastic anemia.
And anemia, the process of transporting oxygen in the body is difficult, because there are not enough red blood cells to carry out the transport process to the various organs, and thus disturbing symptoms begin to appear, such as feeling tired.
Prevention of birth defects
Vitamin B12 is important for pregnant women for the health of the fetus, for its role in promoting the health of the nervous system and brain in the fetus, and preventing birth defects. Vitamin B12 can also contribute to protecting against the risk of miscarriage or premature birth.
Psychological support
There is still a need for more research to understand the relationship of vitamin B12 to depression and psychological and mental state and whether it can contribute to its treatment, but this vitamin remains an important role in mood, due to its contribution to the process of manufacturing serotonin.
Also, a deficiency of B vitamins in general may affect the psychological state and cause depression, and you can find out more information about this matter through the article Psychological symptoms of vitamin B deficiency, and in general, supplements should not be taken as a treatment for depression without medical advice.
Brain health support
There is a relationship between a low level of vitamin B12 and the emergence of some problems related to brain functions such as memory problems, but with regard to treatment, more research is still needed to confirm the effectiveness and effect of vitamin B12 as a treatment, but some studies have shown a possible role for this vitamin to Along with other supplements, it has been shown to suppress mental decline in some people with early-stage dementia.
Benefits of vitamin b12 for nerves
This vitamin is important in promoting and maintaining the health of the nervous system, as it is important for neurons in the brain, and its importance appears in many neurological diseases and symptoms that may result from its deficiency.
Benefits of vitamin B12 for men
There may be a relationship between vitamin B12 deficiency and the occurrence of erectile dysfunction in men, but as for the use of supplements in treatment, there is not enough research on it, and therefore it should be a matter of consulting a doctor only, to find out if there are other reasons.
Vitamin B12 pills
Vitamin B12 supplements are used in the event that there is a deficiency in some people, as a result of several different reasons, and the pills may be used in the following cases:
- Treating vitamin B12 deficiency.
- For pregnant or nursing women.
- For people who follow a vegetarian diet.
- Reducing homocysteine levels in the blood and promoting cardiovascular health, but there is debate about the actual role of the vitamin in this case, so more research is still needed.
In general, the doctor will determine the extent of the need for pills, whether they are suitable for treatment, and whether the foods are not sufficient to obtain the required percentage for the body.
Daily dose of vitamin B12
We emphasize the importance of consulting a doctor to determine the appropriate dose of pills or injections for you, but as for the appropriate daily dose, it is as follows:
- Approximately 2.4 micrograms per day for adults and children over the age of 14.
- 2.6 micrograms per day for pregnant women.
- 2.8 micrograms per day for women who are breastfeeding.
The best time to take vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 pills can be taken in the morning, and they can be taken on an empty stomach with a glass of water, because it is classified as a soluble vitamin, and to enhance its absorption.
Does vitamin B12 increase weight?
Studies here differ in their results, although most of them indicate that vitamin B12 deficiency could be related to weight gain.
Some other studies indicate that low levels of the vitamin may cause loss of appetite and thus reduce weight, but another study indicated that people who took vitamin B12 supplements gained weight.
But.. many of these studies were generally on animals and there are no uniform results, so nothing can be said for sure, and this vitamin should not be taken for weight gain.