Page 54 - Seniorstoday January 2024 Issue
P. 54
Health
Healthy Blood, Healthy Body
Vitamin B12 is essential for crucial body processes primarily healthy blood.
Insufficiency leads to decreased normal red blood cell production (anaemia), which
impairs oxygen delivery, writes Dr Nandini Saini
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is an When the body does not have enough B12,
essential vitamin that your body needs but it leads to decreased normal red blood
cannot produce. cell production (anaemia), which impairs
It is, however, found naturally in many oxygen delivery.
animal products. But also added to certain Vitamin B12 is crucial to various bodily
foods and available as an oral supplement processes, including -
or injection • Health and normal functioning of the
Vitamin B12 is the largest and most brain and nervous system –
structurally complicated vitamin. It occurs Vitamin B12 deficiency has been
naturally in animal products like meat and associated with memory loss, especially in
eggs, and manufacturers can produce it older adults.
through bacterial fermentation synthesis. A study found that even vitamin B12 levels
Like all other B vitamins, Vitamin B12 is on the low side of normal can contribute to
a water-soluble vitamin. This means it can poor memory performance.
dissolve in water and travel through the • Cognitive functioning (ability to think)
bloodstream. The body can store vitamin • Formation of red blood cells and anaemia
B12 for up to 4 years, and it can get rid of prevention - vitamin b12 plays a vital role in
any excess or unwanted vitamin B12 in the helping your body produce red blood cells.
urine. Low vitamin b12 levels cause a reduction in
Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy blood. red blood cell formation and prevent them
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