Western GTA Convergence Centre

Vitamin B12 Forms and Benefits

Vitamin B12 is an inexpensive vitamin which is perfectly safe and reliable, given that it is consumed in a proper amount. A lot of health-conscious individuals consider a regular intake of vitamin B12, in a prescribed amount, is the key to preserve a balance in the human body. We can often obtain vitamin B12 from food sources such as fish, eggs and organ meats, or it can also be taken in the form of supplements and injections as well.

Functioning in conjunction with other B-group vitamins, it is able to ensure a smooth progress of vital life processes in our body. Vitamin B12 is also important in maintaining a healthy DNA production and nervous system. Some other crucial vitamin B12 benefits include its role in regulating the formation of red blood cells and increasing energy levels in our body.

Vitamin B12 consists of various forms. One example is Methylcobalamin which is a coenzyme form of vitamin B12. Methylcobalamin can be used in its normal form and ingesting it requires no metabolic actions. It can be found as sublingual tablets that dissolve under the tongue and that allows the vitamin B12 to penetrate directly into the bloodstream. Another example form of vitamin B12 is Hydroxocobalamin, which is widely known as an effective cure for cyanide poisoning. It is important to learn what is vitamin B12 and how it can actually benefit us.

Studies have shown that there is an inverse correlation between vitamin B12 levels and homocysteine levels. The formation of homocysteine, if blocked, can result in an endothelial dysfunction which can then lead to atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries). Vitamin B12 helps to restrain atherosclerosis and a supplement of it also helps in increasing the efficiency of folic acids to lower homocysteine levels.

Absorption of Vitamin B12 may decrease as our age increases. Thus it is useful for adults above fifty to increase their intakes of vitamin B12. Elderly can absorb the vitamin better in the form of supplement than in the form of food.