Vitamin B-12, or cobalamin, is an important nutrient involved in numerous processes in the body, including healthy nervous function, brain function, and red blood cell development. There are many Vitamin B-12 benefits, and those help keep your bodily systems running smoothly. Most obtain their intake of B-12 through foods derived from animals, but vegans and vegetarians must go out of their way to make sure that they receive enough vitamins daily. Because most diets derived from plants lack enough B-12, supplements and fortified foods become a necessity. In this post, we’ll explore the essential benefits of B-12 and why it is important for vegans and vegetarians following a plant-based lifestyle.
Maintains Red Blood Cell Production and Protects Against Anemia
A critical part of healthy red blood cell development, B-12 helps maintain healthy blood cells in the body. Deficiency in this vitamin can cause anemia, a disorder in which big, misshapen red blood cells cannot effectively deliver oxygen to parts of the body. Symptoms of anemia include weakness, exhaustion, and dizziness. For vegans and vegetarians, taking supplements and consuming fortified foods rich in B-12 can help reduce the risk of becoming anemic and dealing with the symptoms that come along with it.
Maintains Healthy Brain and Cognitive Function
Vitamin B-12 helps produce chemicals in the brain that are responsible for regulating moods and mental processes. Vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause poor memories, brain fogginess, and even depression. Also, a lack of B-12 can cause neurological complications that can become damaging to the brain when not discovered early enough. For vegans and vegetarians, having enough B-12 on a daily basis is important in maintaining mental processes and moods in tip-top shape.
Maintains Energy and Fights Fatigue
One of the most apparent symptoms of a lack of B-12 is persistent fatigue. This happens because B-12 is involved in producing energy at a cellular level. With B-12 lacking in the body, you cannot convert food into useful energy effectively. Vegans and vegetarians with extreme exhaustion can require a supplement of vitamin B-12, as well as an overhaul of their diet. Supplementing each meal with added B-12 or supplements can reverse this, helping to maintain energy better.
Maintains Cardiovascular Health
Vitamin B-12 controls homocysteine, an amino acid that can prevent heart disease. High homocysteine concentrations have been linked with an increased susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. As a lack of enough B-12 is prevalent in vegans and vegetarians, taking enough can maintain homocysteine at safe concentrations and maintain cardiovascular health.
Maintains Nervous Health and Prevents Nervous Damage
Vitamin B-12 plays an important role in maintaining the protective coverings for nerves. Long-term lack of enough B-12 can cause nervous damage, with symptoms including tingling, loss of sensation, and weakness in muscles. Over a long period, nervous damage can become extreme and irreparable. Vegans and vegetarians must monitor consumption of B-12 in a timely manner to maintain nervous health and avert long-term complications.
Maintains Immune System Health
The immune system utilizes vitamin B-12 in producing white blood cells, which are responsible for protecting the body from infection and disease. Vitamin B-12 deficiency can impair immune function, which can open you up to all kinds of health issues. For vegans and vegetarians, taking enough B-12 can maintain a healthy and strong immune system.
How Do Vegans and Vegetarians Get Sufficient B-12?
Lack of naturally occurring sources of B-12 in foods, such as in fruits and vegetables, forces vegans and vegetarians to seek alternative sources for nutritional intake. Best sources of B-12 for a plant-eater include:
Fortified Foods
Most plant substitutes for milk, breakfast cereals, nutritional yeast, and meat substitutes have added B-12.
Supplements
Supplements of B-12 can effectively and reliably prevent and reverse vitamin B-12 deficiency.
B-12 Shots
In extreme cases of insufficiency, medical professionals can prescribe shots of B-12 to correct vitamin B-12 deficiency in a short period.
Vitamin IV Therapy
Vitamin IV Therapy can help to restore the correct vitamins and the proper amounts of vitamins into the bloodstream. This makes Vitamin IV therapy even more effective than oral supplements and a great choice for those who are vegetarian and vegan.
If you are interested in learning more about vitamin B-12 and how vitamin IV therapy can help you meet your nutritional goals, call the offices of Nenergy Boost today at 424-485-0626 and we will be happy to help.