The B12 vitamin is just one of the essential b vitamins that are needed to maintain a healthy body and mind. Cobalamin is the alternative name for B12. The body needs B12 for a number of different processes, including converting the fats, carbohydrates and proteins from all food that is consumed into energy.
One of the most important processes that B12 is essential for is to create healthy red blood cells. The prevention of heart disease relies on the production of healthy blood cells and therefore B12 is vital. The B12 vitamin is also vital for keeping the immune system functioning at its maximum efficiency. Not only this, but B12 also works to form the protective covering of all the nerve cells in the body.
The production of red blood cells is not the only type of cells that B12 is essential for. In fact, all the cells in the body require B12, including white blood cells and nerve cells. The white blood cells are an important part of the immune system and without B12 the effectiveness of the immunity of the body to germs and viruses is heavily reduced.
The nerve cells need B12 to create the fatty layer that will protect them from damage. The brain cells are particularly open to disease and damage if there is not enough B12 present to form this protective layer.
Even though B12 is involved in so many essential processes, the actual recommended daily amount that a body needs is quite small. The fact is that the majority of people consume much more of B12 than their body actually requires. The only issue is that the body cannot absorb B12 very easily and has to create its own aid to the process.
The intrinsic factor that the body produces helps the body to absorb B12 that it needs from food, but this still amounts to only half of the total B12 available. A deficiency in B12 is extremely rare in most people, and is made even less likely because the body can recycle B12 that it already has absorbed.
A few groups of people may develop anaemia due to a lack of B12 in their diet. Young children often have a problem getting enough of the B12 because they may be extremely fussy eaters, and it is important to encourage them to eat as wide a variety of foods as possible. This is not only the case with B12, but is true for all essential vitamins and minerals.
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