These vitamin B12 benefits will change your life! For good!
Also known as cobalamin, vitamin B12 is one of the most important nutrients for your body, but it can’t be produced naturally. However, you can get this amazing vitamin from your diet. Dairy products, meat, fish, and seafood are incredible sources of this nutrient.
Moreover, eating healthy and nutritious meals throughout the day will fuel your body with protein, fats, and fibers, so you can shed pounds, reveal gorgeous muscles, have energy, and tackle all the things on your to-do list.
Since vegetarians and vegans don’t consume animal products, they’re more likely to suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency, but no worries. Several dairy-free milks and yogurts are fortified with this nutrient, so you won’t miss anything.
We all want to be healthy and glowy, so in today’s article, we’ll talk about vitamin B12 benefits that are more likely to change your life for the better. If you want to have a strong central nervous system, amazing focus power, and high energy levels, keep reading!
…Did you know about these vitamin B12 benefits?
1. Hair, skin, and nails
There are many vitamin B12 benefits we can talk about, but we’ll start with the way it makes your hair, skin, and nails look and feel. If you want to have strong, shiny, and healthy bodily features, get that nutrient in.
According to dietitians, people who suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency are more likely to experience nail discoloration, hair changes, the loss of skin color in patches (vitiligo), hyperpigmentation, and canker sores on the cheek, lips, mouth, and tongue (aphthous stomatitis).
Get those vitamin B12 benefits and enjoy silky hair, strong nails, as well as clear and plumb skin! Make sure you eat sardines, cheese, yurt, tuna, liver, kidney, meat, and seafood, and if you’re looking for vegan-friendly options, mushrooms, nutritional yeast, fortified cereals, tempeh, Agaricus bisporus, and plant-based meats should be your go-tos.
2. Red blood cell formation and anemia prevention
If you want to help your body produce red blood cells, you need to get those vitamin B12 benefits. Doctors say that low amounts of this nutrient can cause a reduction in your red blood cell formation, and they might not develop properly.
Moreover, a lack of this vitamin can also trigger additional problems with these blood cells. As experts say, they might become larger and usually oval, and that’s not ideal. Due to these abnormal changes, your red blood cells can’t move from the bone marrow into the bloodstream as they’re supposed to, which can further cause megaloblastic anemia. Unfortunately, when you suffer from anemia, your body lacks sufficient red blood cells to carry oxygen to your essential organs, and you might experience symptoms of weariness and weakness.
3. Macular degeneration
Have you heard of macular degeneration? It’s a severe eye disease that typically affects your central vision. In 2022, a group of researchers ran a few studies and noticed that a lack of vitamin B puts people at a higher risk of age-related macular degeneration. They also added that consuming foods rich in this nutrient can prevent this health issue.
4. Energy levels
We continue with these vitamin B12 benefits and this time is all about your energy levels. This nutrient is one of the eight vitamins that are responsible for helping your body transform the food you eat into glucose, which in turn gives you enough energy for the day.
Unfortunately, people who lack cobalamin are more likely to experience fatigue. Experts performed several tests to see whether vitamin B12 supplements are just as effective as the level of this vitamin obtained through diet. During their clinical study, they noticed that food supplements might not be as efficient as food sources, so treat your body well and eat healthily!
5. Bone health
Another vitamin B12 benefit you don’t want to miss is bone health. Researchers discovered that one easy way to prevent osteoporosis and maintain strong bones is by eating animal protein foods, such as milk, cheese, liver, fish, pork, and beef.
On the other hand, severe vitamin B12 deficiency can increase seniors’ risk of reduced bone mineral density and fractures. However, the most important nutrients for bone health are vitamin D and calcium, but none of these minerals should be ignored.
6. Mood swings and depression
Everyone experiences mood swings at least once in their lives. These sudden shifts in your emotional state are activated by chemical changes in your brain. Doctors say alcohol and particular medications are sometimes responsible for these mood swings, but a healthy diet full of nutritious and vitamin-rich foods can play a huge role in managing the symptoms.
There are several vitamin B12 benefits, but one of the most appreciated is improving your mood. According to clinical studies, B vitamins can improve mood swings related to stress. As you can guess, low levels of vitamin B, particularly B12, can make you more susceptible to severe swings.
Experts have concluded that individuals with severe vitamin B12 deficiency are more likely to experience depression symptoms compared to others. If you can’t consume foods that are naturally rich in vitamin B12, you can ask your doctor for some high-quality supplements, like these liquid vitamins. They might be helpful.
7. Memory and brain
We’re almost done with these vitamin B12 benefits, but we can’t end today’s article without talking about your memory and brain. As doctors say, low levels of cobalamin are associated with memory loss, especially in people over 50.
Moreover, cobalamin deficiency can also make you more prone to weakness, fatigue, anemia, memory loss, and other issues associated with the nervous system. If you want to keep your mind sharp, make sure you get that vitamin B12 in. And don’t forget about omega-3 fatty acids, because they’re just as important. You can get them from eggs, fish, nuts, and seeds.
What do you think about these vitamin B12 benefits? Did you find this article helpful? Let us know in the comments below! If you enjoyed reading this post and would like to check out something else, here’s a great piece for you: 10 Signs You Might Have Vitamin C Deficiency