Vitamin B12
What You Need to Know About Vitamin B12
B vitamins, are part of the b-complex class of water soluble vitamins which are used by the body to maintain health and proper function. One of the largest and most essential of the B-vitamins, vitamin B12 (known as cobalamin), is one that plays a crucial role in regulating the metabolism of body cells. Vitamin B12 is also essential in the formation of red blood cells which carry oxygen all throughout the body.
While some vitamin B12 can be found in certain plants, these amounts are insignificant. The only reliable sources are animal based (meat, poultry, fish, dairy). Just getting enough vitamin B12 in the stomach, does not necessarily ensure that it is being absorbed. Because of the complexity of the vitamin, certain substance called Intrinsic Factor is required to absorb this vitamin. This substance is not easily created as we age, so the elderly sometimes have trouble getting enough B12 through their diet even tough they are eating enough in the foods they eat. Irreversible damage to the nervous system, brain, and other vital organs can result from consistent low intake of vitamin B12. You should not neglect vitamin B12 intake. For those who feel they are not getting enough B12 in their diet, there is supplementation as well as fortified foods.
Taking vitamin B12 supplements is recommended by may doctors today to ensure that you are getting enough as well as building up stores of this essential vitamin for the lean" years. There are many ways of supplementing your vitamin B12 levels. Your doctor will often apply supplementation orally or through injections. Shots can be expensive and tablets may not absorb well for some individuals. Some people do not absorb this vitamin easily due to certain digestive disorders. If that is a problem you have, your doctor may prescribe sublingual vitamin b12.
Sublingual means 'under the tongue', so sublingual supplements are intended to be taken under the tongue. The supplement breaks down under the tongue and is immediately absorbed into the blood system. The lining under the tongue is thin, and the supplement is absorbed into the bloodstream. This provides a great advantage over the traditional tablets. Taking the traditional tablets requires that they be broken down in the stomach and absorbed that way. Damage is done to the B12 molecule in this way and only a percentage of it is absorbed by the body this way. Sublingual B12 bypasses the digestive tract and therefore you will feel the effects faster.
While some vitamin B12 can be found in certain plants, these amounts are insignificant. The only reliable sources are animal based (meat, poultry, fish, dairy). Just getting enough vitamin B12 in the stomach, does not necessarily ensure that it is being absorbed. Because of the complexity of the vitamin, certain substance called Intrinsic Factor is required to absorb this vitamin. This substance is not easily created as we age, so the elderly sometimes have trouble getting enough B12 through their diet even tough they are eating enough in the foods they eat. Irreversible damage to the nervous system, brain, and other vital organs can result from consistent low intake of vitamin B12. You should not neglect vitamin B12 intake. For those who feel they are not getting enough B12 in their diet, there is supplementation as well as fortified foods.
Taking vitamin B12 supplements is recommended by may doctors today to ensure that you are getting enough as well as building up stores of this essential vitamin for the lean" years. There are many ways of supplementing your vitamin B12 levels. Your doctor will often apply supplementation orally or through injections. Shots can be expensive and tablets may not absorb well for some individuals. Some people do not absorb this vitamin easily due to certain digestive disorders. If that is a problem you have, your doctor may prescribe sublingual vitamin b12.
Sublingual means 'under the tongue', so sublingual supplements are intended to be taken under the tongue. The supplement breaks down under the tongue and is immediately absorbed into the blood system. The lining under the tongue is thin, and the supplement is absorbed into the bloodstream. This provides a great advantage over the traditional tablets. Taking the traditional tablets requires that they be broken down in the stomach and absorbed that way. Damage is done to the B12 molecule in this way and only a percentage of it is absorbed by the body this way. Sublingual B12 bypasses the digestive tract and therefore you will feel the effects faster.