9 Science-Based Benefits of Vitamin B12

Food & Nutrition Rowena T.

Give Energy Boost

Vitamin B12 [14] supplements and other B vitamins play an important role in the body’s energy production, even though they aren’t the major source of energy. Presently, there’s no scientific evidence that suggests that vitamin B12 supplements help boost energy in those with enough levels.

If an individual lacks vitamin B12 to a large extent, using a supplement or increasing its intake will improve energy [15] level. One of the most common early signs of vitamin B12 is fatigue and a significant lack of energy.

Help Healthy Hair, Skin, and Nails

Adequate levels of vitamin B12 are needed to promote healthy skin, hair, and nails. The vitamin plays an important role in cell production, and low levels of it may cause various dermatologic symptoms, including nail discoloration, hyperpigmentation, vitiligo.

According to a study, supplementing [16] with vitamin B12 improves dermatologic symptoms in people with the deficiency. Note that individuals who are not deficient in this vitamin may not notice an improvement in hair health, nail strength, or skin.

Conclusion

Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that should be available in the body at an appropriate level. The deficiency of this vitamin increases the risk of several medical conditions. Since the nutrient is not naturally occurring, it can be obtained via supplements or intramuscular injections.

References:

[1] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15619681

[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19151987/

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0063030/

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4508850/

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2648137/

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2648137/

[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4927899/

[9] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26912492/

[10] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25147783/

[11] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18709885/

[12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4161975/

[13] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10784463/

[14] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257642/

[15] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22276208

[16] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2294086/

Rowena T. February 5, 2021

You Might Also Enjoy

Top 10 Foods that Might Harm Your Health

We consume a lot of foods daily and some of these foods can be harmful to your health. It is quite difficult to keep track of all these foods and what ways they can harm or damage the body. In this article, we will critically examine 10 of these foods ...

15 Healthy Foods That Are High in Potassium

Overview Potassium is an essential electrolyte and mineral that your body requires to function properly. Studies show that it is linked to maintaining a healthy blood pressure, normal muscle and nerve function, and transporting vital nutrients into cells in your body. It is an essential mineral because your body cannot ...

16 Foods That Lower Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a type of fat or lipid that flows throughout the body in the blood. Please note that lipids are insoluble in water, so they don’t mix with the blood. The human body produces cholesterol naturally, but it is also present in different types of foods. It’s important to ...

What Are The Most Common Foods That Cause Gout

Gout is a medical condition characterized by swelling, severe pain attacks, and inflammation of the human joints. It’s a type of arthritis that has affected approximately 8.3 million people in the United States of America. [1] When there are high uric acid levels in the blood, it causes the condition ...

15 Common High Cholesterol Foods to Avoid

High levels of cholesterol can cause an accumulation of cholesterol and other deposits on the arteries’ walls [1]. The deposits on the walls or plaques can reduce the blood flow through the arteries, which can cause complications like chest pain. Generally, cholesterol has a few advantages. For instance, the body ...

8 Foods That Cause Inflammation

Inflammation is the human body trying to protect itself from an unwanted organism or harmful object, and it occurs internally and externally. Internal inflammation is a reaction to harmful organisms like bacteria and viruses, which causes a swelling on the inside organs. These invaders damage cells, and toxic chemicals are ...

10 Common Foods High in Iron

Are you trying to preserve the body’s crucial functions like focus, gastrointestinal processes, body temperature regulation, and more? If you are, then taking foods high in iron is advisable. Interestingly, many people overlook the significant advantages of taking foods that have high iron content. The absence of iron signifies an ...

10 Best Foods to Up Your Daily Fiber Intake

One of the most typical terms used to describe fiber is roughage. It is a part of vegetables, legumes, and fruits. The human body system can’t break down fiber. Besides, it goes through the digestive system undigested, keeping the system healthy and assisting bowel movement. Additionally, fiber also helps flush ...

Archives

Categories

Meta