B-12 supplements
Many people looking to live healthier lives are always looking for something more. Supplements have been around for years. Some work and other don't. The new trend is the B-12 supplement. People with stress, that want to lose weight or that just want to feel better are getting into B-12 supplements. There are two primary reasons to take B-12 supplements. The first is for nutritional reasons and the second is absorption problems.
Improved Overall Nutrition and Health
Meat lovers will have nothing to worry about because meat already provides the right amount of B-12 that the body needs. The richest source for B-12 in meat is the liver and the kidney. If liver and kidney is not your thing, fish, eggs and cheese also have good amounts of B-12 in them.
Not all people are at risk of not having enough B-12 in their system. There are two groups of people who should be concerned: Vegans and alcohol drinkers.
Vegans
All vegans should look out for the supplement. Since B-12 is found in meat and that vegans don't eat it, they can suffer from insufficiency. The body will be able store and recycle this vitamin when there seems to some missing. The problem is that it will run out. The most important thing is for new vegans to take this supplement because the body is not used to recycling. Calcium is also important because B-12 uses calcium to absorb itself.
Alcohol drinkers
Drinking alcohol causes a depletion of B-12 and other vitamins and minerals. If you are a heavy drinker you know that alcohol will one day damage your liver and intestines. If this happens it will mean poor nutrient absorption. This means that the more you drink the more B-12 you will need because the body is not going to be able to keep it long enough.
People with absorption problems
There are some people that will have a hard time keeping vitamins in their system for the time required. The stomach usually produces a glycoprotein that carries vitamins through the digestive system for absorption. There are some cases that can affect this method.
- If you have had surgery on your stomach or intestines
- Insufficient gastric stomach acid. This can be caused by long term use of antacids and some pharmaceutical drugs.
- Tape worms.
- Other gastrick diseases such as Crohn's disease
B12 Deficiency Syptoms Can be Serious
The symptoms for not having enough B-12 are very serious. The B-12 vitamins works with folic acid to produce haemoglobin in red blood cells. It is also very important for nerve and brain function.
There are some ways which you can tell that you are missing B-12 in your system. A burning sensation of the hands and feet, numbness and damaged mental function can be warning signs. The problem is that these signs may go unnoticed before a more serious problem arrives. If ever you are missing B-12 it can lead to a blood disorder. That blood disorder can then lead to blindness and permanent damage to your nervous system.
B-12 supplements must be and essential part of your life. Your body needs it to function properly. Some people actually take B12 supplements even if they don't need it which is surprising. It goes to show what trends can do.
