Why is it a viable choice to prevent Vit B12 deficiency? Vitamin B12 is one of the top 5 important nutrients in the body. Our body needs vitamin B-12 to produce red blood cells and prevent anemia.
This vitamin is found almost exclusively in animal products, including milk, eggs and cheese. Those on a Vegan diet or lifestyle can get vitamin B-12 from enriched cereals, fortified soy products or by taking a supplement that contains this vitamin.
Will you know if you have a deficiency in this vitamin?
If you aren’t eating any of the above mentioned foods and feel weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, numbness, heart palpitations, bleeding gums, mouth sores, nausea, poor appetite and diarrhea, you might be vitamin B12 deficient.
It may take years before signs or symptoms of this deficiency to manifest in your body. Being deficient in vitamin B12 can lead to pernicious anemia and can eventually turn into Alzheimers, loss of memory, confusion and dementia.
Sublingual Vit B12 may be the best form of supplementation for seniors to absorb. Another reason for B12 deficiency can also be from malabsorption. For example, taking vitamin C can assist in the absorption, as well as coupling Vit B12 with folic acid, to really get superior benefits.
So, now you might be wondering how much is ENOUGH? What is the proper dosage to prevent Vit B12 deficiency?
I was pondering the same thing and after researching several reputable sites like National Institute of Health, I was able to come up with this.
-.4 mcg- 0-6 months
-.5 mcg- 7-12 months
-.9 mcg- 1-3 years
-1.2mcg- 4-8 years
-1.8mcg- 9-13 years
-2.4mcg- age 14-older
-2.6mcg- pregnant adolescent females
-2.8mcg- lactating females
-25-100mcg- Adults over 50 (unless consistently eating vitamin B12-fortified foods)
You may find other opinions from experts in the field about the proper dosage. Two components were clear: It seems that our bodies were designed to absorb B12 at low levels per meal (between .1mcg- 1mcg).
Environmental factors can also affect Vit B deficiency, including regularly consuming chlorinated water. In this case, the body can react to the toxic invasion and the B12 absorption can be low or completely diminished.
Also, consider the possibilites of pesticides and toxins from the plants and animals we are consuming and how that may to affect the absorption of B12.
