Health Checks: What You Need To Know About Veganism and B12 Deficiency
by Vernon Foster
There are several reasons why the vitamin B12 is essential for all who practice the vegan lifestyle. The main function of the vitamin B12 is to form red blood. It also functions to maintain a healthy nervous system. The nerves in the body are insulated by a fatty sheath, which is made up of a protein known as myelin. Vitamin B12 also helps in the production of both DNA as well as RNA, which are essential in the formation of one's genetic material. Vitamin B12 also contains a chemical known as cyanocobalamin, which functions to promote the healthy and normal growth as well as the development of nerves. This chemical also assists in remedying certain forms of nerve damage.
So why do vegans need B12 supplementation?
There are several reasons why B12 is a crucial vitamin for your body. These include:
1. Vitamin B12 is important in assisting the body to digest food in the correct manner. It is also important in ensuring that nutrients are absorbed properly by the body.
2. This vitamin B12 is critical when it comes to the formation of DNA. It also goes a long way in ensuring that the nerve cells as well as the red blood cells remain in optimum condition for them to function as required.
3. Vegans need vitamin B12 supplementation as it has been established to be a defence for the body against a disorder known as pernicious anaemia.
4. Vitamin B12 is also known to be a good alternative when it comes to treating conditions, such as dementia and nerve damage.
Where can you get B12 as a vegan?
The Vitamin B12 is typically stored in a person's liver. In order for one to be able to absorb this vitamin, you would need to have some calcium. Vegans, however, do not take any animal products so they have to look for alternative sources of calcium other than milk. Another alternative when it comes to the absorption of the vitamin B12 would be to take folic acid supplements, which enable the body to absorb the vitamin. However, vegans should take note that too much folic acid may mask a deficiency in vitamin B12.
Therefore, the best option would be to take a multivitamin that contains the recommended dosage of both folic acid as well as vitamin B12. Proper supplementation can be done with coenzymes, such as methylcobalamin, which will ensure that one does not suffer from any of the symptoms associated with a deficiency of this vitamin.
If you are vegan and concerned about whether you're getting enough vitamin B12, make an appointment with your doctor for a health check.
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About Me
Hello, my name is Peter and I live in Western Australia with my wife on our pet dogs. This is my blog which details how to deal with various medical emergencies and other conditions. Last year, several friends and members of my family suffered from various different kinds of medical problems. Some of them, such as my uncle had to be rushed to the hospital for immediate treatment that saved his life. Lots of my friends had minor problems which had a big impact on the quality of their lives. I take an active interest in first-aid and other medical matters so I decided to start this blog.