Vitamin B12 – not only for vegans and vegetarians

Vitamin B12 is best known to vegetarians and vegans . It is commonly said that supplementation of this compound is necessary for people who do not eat animal products. If a vegetarian diet is not supplemented with vitamin B12, after a few years of such a diet , its deficiencies will manifest themselves in the form of, among others: fatigue, nerve damage, anemia, digestive problems, impaired memory or depression ¹ . However, "carnivores" are also not protected against vitamin B12 deficiency and its effects, even if they eat a "healthy" diet. Why vitamin B12 is so unique and how to ensure its sufficient level in the body - you will learn from this text.

What is the role of vitamin B12 in the body?

At the level of physical sensations, we can experience the effects of B12 in the way we sleep, our mood, immunity and memory. The water-soluble vitamin B12 molecule is used by the human body on many levels and in many biochemical reactions, primarily those necessary to maintain life - DNA synthesis, production of red blood cells and the proper functioning of nerve cells .

Low levels of vitamin B12 in the body can cause the brain to shrink and neurons to die ² . This may manifest itself in the form of deterioration or loss of memory, deterioration of cognitive functions.

Vitamin B12 is an important link in hematopoietic processes . When we hear the word "anemia", we first think of iron. However, anemia may also result from a deficiency of B vitamins , including B12. If the body lacks iron, too few red blood cells are produced and they decrease in size. In turn, with vitamin B12 deficiency, there are still few blood cells, but they are enlarged. This phenomenon is called megaloblastic or macrocytic anemia ³ . This disease may have irreversible effects, says MD. Mariusz Łukaszuk , gynecologist, andrologist, anti-aging medicine doctor:

“B vitamins are usually mentioned in the context of nervous system health. However, vitamins B9 (folic acid) and B12 are also involved, among others: in the production of red blood cells . We occasionally hear about megaloblastic anemia due to a deficiency of these vitamins, but we usually associate anemia with iron deficiency. And yet, deficiencies of these important vitamins B9 and B12 are dangerous because they may result in serious disturbances in the body's functioning , e.g. in the hematological or neurological aspect, and may lead to irreversible changes .

Vitamin B12 is also critical in pregnant women . The demand for this ingredient in future mothers is greater than before conception ^4.5 . In the first weeks, when we may not yet know that we are pregnant, vitamin B12 helps maintain it ^6.7 . It is also necessary for the proper development of the child's nervous system and brain , as well as the prevention of neurological and metabolic diseases ⁸ . If an expectant mother is deficient in vitamin B12 during pregnancy, her baby will not receive a sufficient supply of this vitamin. After birth, it may have developmental problems . Cases of extreme B12 deficiency in children may present in a manner similar to autism spectrum disorders ⁹ .

Vitamin B12 also has a scientifically proven effect on the quality of our sleep, the immune system, energy levels, heart health and circulatory system (you will learn more about it in the chapter "Why is it worth supplementing vitamin B12 from nikalab").

Where is vitamin B12 found?

Vitamin B12 is synthesized by microorganisms (bacteria and archaea). In humans, they live in the large intestine , so we cannot use the vitamins they produce for our own needs - we have to obtain it from the outside. ¹⁰ . In animals, the bacteria that produce vitamin B12 are found in the stomach . B12 produced by microorganisms is absorbed in the small intestine of animals and deposited in the muscles and liver, and also penetrates into milk (in the case of mammals). ¹¹ . Therefore, the main sources of vitamin B12 are products of animal origin - meat, offal, dairy products, eggs, fish, seafood. Microorganisms that produce this vitamin can inhabit the surface of algae, so some types of algae (nori) can also be considered a source of some B12 ¹² . However, the bioavailability of this vitamin in food products is on average 50%. ¹³ . This means that we do not absorb half of what we eat .

The food industry also adds vitamin B12 to ready-made products - breakfast cereals, plant milk, yeast flakes and dietary supplements. However, most often the chemical form of vitamin B12 contained in them is also not well absorbed in the human body.

Vitamin B12 – why is absorption crucial?

The process of vitamin B12 absorption in humans depends on several conditions. Firstly – from genetics. Genetic mutations , including the MTHFR gene, hinder the absorption of vitamin B12 and are associated with its deficiency ¹⁴ . This problem may affect up to 60% of adults ¹⁵ .

Another condition is a healthy stomach . It is there that, in the presence of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes, and with the participation of a special protein (the so-called internal factor), vitamin B12 from food is transformed into another chemical form that can be absorbed in the small intestine. ¹⁶ . However, this process is disrupted in many cases ¹⁷ , among others by:

• stomach acidosis (may affect up to every third adult!),
• atrophy of the gastric mucosa,
• Helicobacter pylori infection,
• autoimmune gastritis,
• stomach surgery or removal of part of it,
• long-term use of certain medications (PIPs (e.g. Omeprazole), heartburn blockers (H2 receptor antagonists), metformin, antibiotics).

Even if you think that none of the above ailments concern you, it is worth considering that stress also reduces the level of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, and if it is chronic, it may cause hypoacidity (hypochlorhydria). ^18,19 . In other words, when you're stressed, you don't absorb vitamin B12 well from food, even if you eat meat.

To sum up : if you do not eat animal products or limit them, you are not getting the appropriate amount of vitamin B12. If you eat meat, you may not absorb this vitamin properly due to stress, possible diseases and medications.

What is the solution? Supplementing the diet with a supplement with a well-digestible, already active form of vitamin B12. You will find it in all nikalab everyday bases.

Why is it worth supplementing vitamin B12 with Nikalab Daily Bazaar?

Most often, supplement manufacturers add vitamin B12 in the form of cyanocobalamin to their products because it is cheaper. To be absorbed, it must undergo complex transformations in the human body. In order to bypass this entire process and provide you with active vitamin B12 that your body can use immediately, we have added methylcobalamin to Niklab's daily base . This chemical form is considered the most absorbable form on the market.

Additionally, thanks to DRcaps encapsulation technology, methylcobalamin will reach your small intestine , which is the destination where vitamin B12 is absorbed. The daily dose of methylcobalamin that you will find in our Databases is selected on the basis of clinical trials , and is suitable both for people who limit animal products in their diet or do not eat them at all, as well as for those who eat meat.

“In many dietary supplements, the doses of vitamin B12 are too low. I advocate taking at least 25 µg of this vitamin every day. Its form is also important. The commonly used cyanocobalamin may not be absorbed in people with MTHFR gene mutations. Therefore, the active form of vitamin B12 - methylcobalamin - is a better choice," says gynecologist, andrologist, anti-aging medicine doctor Mariusz Łukaszuk .

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