Vitamin B12

A water soluble vitamin which belongs to the B complex. It is required in very small amounts for cell division and growth. Vitamin B12 was only discovered in 1948 when it was shown to be a nutritional factor useful in preventing a form of anemia. Vitamin B12 has many beneficial effects. It is involved in the synthesis of DNA (the genetic material that makes us who and what we are), it helps to make red blood cells, and it is important in the formation of the myelin sheath that surrounds and insulates nerve cells. The myelin sheath in turn helps to transmit signals along the nerve cells. Deficiency of vitamin B12 can have serious consequences. Due to the fact that we can store this essential nutrient in our liver and kidneys, it can take a long time of poor dietary intake for the deficiency signs to show. But once they do show, they are very serious, and may lead not only to anemia, but also nerve problems and impaired mental function with Alzheimer?s-like symptoms. It is especially important for vegetarians to take a vitamin B12 supplement, because the usual dietary source of vitamin B12 is meat.

Vitamin B12 can be found in the following VitaMist products: