Vitamin B12

Making red blood cells and keeping the nervous system healthy releasing energy from food using folic acid.

Nutritional yeast (40% DV)

Feta cheese (21% DV)

Cottage Cheese (16% DV)

Eggs (11% DV)

Soy Products Silken Tofu (37% DV)

Cereals (All Bran) (100% DV)

Dairy milk (82% DV)

Top Health Benefits of Vitamin B12

Possible Cancer Preventer

A deficiency in vitamin B12 prevents folate from being converted into its active form. Therefore, DNA is not able to be properly replicated and can become damaged. Experts believe that damaged DNA can directly contribute to cancer formation. Vitamin B12 supplementation along with folate supplementation is being researched as a way to help ward off and even treat certain kinds of cancers.

Boosts Brain Health

Low levels of vitamin B12 have been shown to double the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in elderly men and women. Vitamin B12 helps maintain low levels of homocysteine, which may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s also crucial for the ability to focus and can help reduce symptoms of ADHD and poor memory.

May Prevent Depression

Multiple studies have demonstrated a correlation between depression and vitamin B12 deficiency. This makes sense because vitamin B12 is required for the synthesis of a neurotransmitter related to regulating mood.

One study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry looked at 700 community-living, physically disabled women over the age of 65. The researchers found that the women who were deficient in vitamin B12 were twice as likely to be severely depressed as the non-deficient women.

Anemia Prevention and Red Blood Cell Production

Vitamin B12 is necessary for the production of a healthy level and size of red blood cells. B12 helps prevent anemia, specially megaloblastic anemia. This form of anemia means that red blood cells are not just fewer in number, but also bigger than normal in size as well as being immature. All of those undesirable red blood cell conditions equate to lower levels of oxygen making it through the blood to the body’s tissues, which can result in common symptoms of weakness and exhaustion.

Encourages Optimal Energy Levels

As a B vitamin, vitamin B12 helps convert the carbohydrates, proteins and fats we consume into useable fuel in the body. Without these conversions taking place in an ideal fashion, people with vitamin B12 deficiencies often have fatigue on a regular basis. Vitamin B12 is also required for neurotransmitter signaling that helps your muscles contract and gives you energy to go about your day without feeling tired and run down.

If you want to have optimal energy levels on a regular basis, the vitamin B12 foods I just talked about are not to be missed.

DV is (Daily Value)