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Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
Vitamin B12 is needed to prevent anemia. It aids folic acid in regulating
the formation of red blood cells, and helps in the utilization
of iron. This vitamin is also required for proper
digestion, absorption of foods, the synthesis of protein, and
the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. It aids in cell
formation and cellular longevity. In addition, vitamin B12
prevents nerve damage, maintains fertility, and promotes normal
growth and development by maintaining the fatty sheaths that
cover and protect nerve endings. Vitamin B12 is linked to
the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that assists
memory and learning. Vitamin B12 supplementation has been
shown to enhance sleep patterns, allowing for more restful and
refreshing sleep.
Symptoms of Deficiency:
A vitamin B12 deficiency can be caused by malabsorption, which
is common in elderly people and in those with digestive
disorders. Deficiency can cause abnormal gait, bone loss,
chronic fatigue, constipation, depression, digestive disorders,
dizziness, enlargement of the liver, eye disorders,
hallucinations, headaches (including migraines), inflammation of
the tongue, irritability, labored breathing, memory loss,
moodiness, nervousness, neurological damage, palpitations,
pernicious anemia, ringing in the ears, and spinal cord
degeneration. Strict vegetarians must remember that they
require vitamin B12 supplementation, as this vitamin is found
almost exclusively in animal tissues. Although people
adopting a strictly vegetarian diet may not see any signs of the
deficiency for some time - the body can store up to five years'
worth of vitamin B12 - signs will eventually develop.
Eight (8) B's and their benefits:
Benefits
of B-Complex
B1
(Thiamine)
B2
(Riboflavin)
B3 (Niacin, Nicotinic Acid,
Niacinamide)
B5
(Pantothenic Acid)
B6 (Pyridoxine)
B12
(Cyanocobalamin)
Biotin
Folate
Source: Prescription
for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC and James F. Balch,
M.D.
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