Vitamin B12

B12 is an important vitamin that your body needs but can't produce. The role of Vitamin B12 in the body is to help make DNA, nerve and blood cells, it is crucial for a healthy brain and immune system. A Vit B12 deficiency happens when your body doesn't produce enough intrinsic factor or if you don't eat enough Vit B12 rich foods. Intrinsic factor is essential for Vitamin B12 to be absorbed in the small intestine. You can only absorb Vitamin B12 if you eat foods that are rich in Vitamin B12. Those foods are animal meats, dairy products, eggs and some fortified products such as breakfast cereal. Organ meats such as liver and kidneys are very high in Vitamin B12. 

Vitamin B12 deficiency is very common. Speculation is that many people are choosing not to eat read meat. There have been cases of children as young as 6 diagnosed with having a deficiency. This is concerning because with the raging grocery prices buying food high in Vitamin B12 may not be affordable for many families. 

The symptoms of Vit B12 deficiency are fatigue, headaches, depression, pale or yellow skin, mental impairment, rapid heartbeat, and pain and inflammation in the mouth and tongue. 

Many members in my mom's family suffer with Pernicious anemia. They lack the intrinsic factor to absorb Vitamin B12. It doesn't matter how much food they eat with B12 in it; they do not get the benefits of the vitamin. Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks the cells in the stomach that produce intrinsic factor. It is very common in older people, those that have Crohn's or celiac disease. The only treatment is to receive Vitamin B12 injections for the rest of their lives. Taking oral tablets does not work for them. An overwhelming feeling of exhaustion is what most people with pernicious anemia complain about. 

The B vitamins support the nervous system. I once worked with a doctor that gave Vitamin B12 shots to people that had shingles. At that time there wasn't the treatments there are now. Shingles is a disease affecting the nerves and it did help to bring some comfort.  

I have considered for some time that the day may come that I would be another one on the family list as having pernicious anemia. I recently had my B12 tested, and I am in the low 200. It is within the normal limits of 200-900. I have always believed you need your B12 to be on the high end, around 800. The medical world believes if you are within normal limits, you are fine. Vitamin B12 is what they call a "water-soluble" vitamin. That simply means you can't take too much B12, any excess will just be excreted by the body.  

Many months ago, I had a conversation with my good friend about Vit B12. It is very common for people to take Vit B12, and she is one of them. She suggested that the best was to take the brand that dissolves under the tongue. I went right out and purchased the tablets, took a few and the rest has sat in my cupboard untouched. 

I have heard many people say, "I know my body so well I know when there is something wrong". My body has trouble connecting with me, I seem to ignore it when it is sending off signals. But I was noticing that I didn't have the same energy as usual. I had periods of being tired during the day and even had the occasional nap. After knowing my B12 level, I decided that I would start to take the Vitamin B12 tablets. It is craziness how effective they are. I am only a few days in, but I am noticing a difference. 

I am not someone who takes anything, that includes added Vitamins and minerals. But I now have a new regime, Vitamin B12 sublingual tablets and I am throwing in Collagen. It has also sat in the cupboard. I decided it may help with the other issue, stiffness. I guess my point here is, we are all responsible for taking care of our own health. We need to pay attention to our body and know when it needs a little help to work as good as it can. This was not meant to be a pharmaceutical lesson but more of a suggestion to keep your Vitamin B12 on the high end of normal, not the low end. Your body will be happier, and everyone loves a happy body.