The Effects of B12

Vitamin B-12, also known as cobalamin, is the vitamin that we need the smallest amount of in our diet to stay healthy. As little as 2 micrograms will help to keep us from developing a deficiency in vitamin B-12; if deficiency does occur, symptoms may not appear for over a year or more. Vitamin B-12, produced by microrganisms, is most often found in animal prooducts, such as meat, dairy and eggs. Plants do not produce it; therefore, many vegans take a B-12 supplement. Our bodies require tiny amounts of B-12 to perform big things.

DNA Production

• B-12 helps ensure healthy production of new DNA.

  One of the most important roles that vitamin B-12 plays in the body is the synthesis of DNA within the cellular tissues. The presence of vitamin B-12 stimulates enzymes that trigger the replication process for creating new DNA, and B-12 deficiency may result in the production of unstable cells that are more likely to develop into cancerous tissues. Having an adequate dietary intake of vitamin B-12 may play an important role in reducing the risk of cancer and ensuring the production of new, strong cells within the body.

Red Blood Cells

• Vitamin B-12 deficiency may be characterized by anemia.

  Vitamin B-12 plays a particularly important role in the creation of new cells within the bone marrow, where our red blood cells are born. When the body is lacking in levels of vitamin B-12, we are unable to produce sufficient red blood cells and become at risk of developing anemia, resulting in fatigue, headaches, muscle weakness and digestive problems. This is one of the most common effects of vitamin B-12 deficiency, especially in vegetarians and vegans, but can be quickly remedied through eating vitamin B-12 rich foods, or by taking a B-12 supplement.

Nervous System

• Alzheimer's Disease has been linked with vitamin B-12 deficiency.

  Some of the symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency include "pins-and-needles" or burning sensations in the hands and feet, poor night vision, reduced memory, dementia and other symptoms similar to Alzheimer's disease. The cause for all this is to do with the myelin sheaths -- fatty tissues that surrounds our nerve fibers. Without healthy myelin sheaths, nerve fibers cannot conduct messages to each other properly. Vitamin B-12 helps the nervous system by maintaining a balance of methionine in the body, a chemical that is a major component of myelin sheaths. With adequate levels of methionine, our nerves can transmit messages accurately, allowing us to concentrate, remember, perform complex tasks and have good night vision. However, long-term deficiency in vitamin B-12 may result in lasting damage to the nervous system.

Cardiovascular system

• B-12 can help protect your heart.

  One of the actions of vitamin B-12 is converting the potentially harmful amino acid homocysteine into a beneficial amino acid called methionine. This conversion helps the body in a number of ways, not only in supporting the nervous system, but also in protecting our cardiovascular system. In an article published in the scientific journal "Acta Neurologica Belgica" in 2009, researcher Annelies Terwecoren discusses findings showing that homocysteine is a major risk factor for heart attacks, thrombosis, atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. Reducing this potentially harmful chemical in the body is important for ensuring a health heart and a healthy life.