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9 Science-Based Benefits of Vitamin B12

Vitamin B-12 is an important nutrient that helps keep the blood cells and body’s nerves healthy. It also supports the production of DNA, which is the genetic material in the body cells. Another name for vitamin B12 is cobalamin, which is an important vitamin that the body needs.

The human body doesn’t produce cobalamin. It’s a vitamin added to certain foods as an oral supplement but found naturally in animal products. There are several benefits of vitamin B12, making it important for both young ones and adults.

The recommended [1] daily intake for most adults is 2.4 mcg, but it’s higher for pregnant or breastfeeding women. An adequate vitamin B12 may help improve memory, boost energy, and prevent heart disease.

According to scientifically proven facts, there are several significant benefits of vitamin B12. Here are nine of the advantages of this nutrient:

Help Bone Health and Prevent Osteoporosis

An adequate intake of vitamin B12 supports bone health and prevents osteoporosis. The bone disease that occurs when the human body loses a high amount of bone is called osteoporosis. It could also be due to the production of insufficient bone. This condition may cause bone breakage due to weakness.

There are several symptoms of osteoporosis. Common ones include loss of height over time, stooped posture, back pain due to a fractured or collapsed vertebra, and an easily breakable bone. Risk factors of this condition include age, sex, race, and family history.

A study [2] of over 2,500 adults proved that individuals with a vitamin B12 deficiency had a bone mineral density that was lower than normal. Note that bones with a very low mineral density increase the risk of osteoporosis in an individual. Other research [3] also shows a relationship between B12 levels and poor bone health and osteoporosis, mostly in females.