If you want to increase your intake of vitamin B12, put down that bottle of vitamins! Unless you have a diagnosed vitamin or mineral deficiency, nutritional needs are best met with food, not supplements. Show
Registered dietitian Anna Taylor, MS, RD, LD, CDCES, shares some of the best ways to add more vitamin B12 foods into your diet. What is vitamin B12?Also known as cobalamin, vitamin B12 is a necessary vitamin that aids in many essential body functions. It’s a water-soluble vitamin that’s absorbed in your stomach and then makes its way to your blood and cells. While this vitamin isn’t something that your body naturally produces, there are ways to fill the gaps. As B12 is naturally found in many animal products, it’s simple to incorporate this essential vitamin into your diet. Why is vitamin B12 good for you?Vitamin B12 plays many important roles in your body, with many benefits, including: Forms healthy red blood cells and DNAOne main benefit that vitamin B12 provides is producing red blood cells. Why is this important? Red blood cells deliver oxygen throughout your body, which turns into the energy needed to keep your body functioning in a healthy way. When your body isn’t getting enough vitamin B12, red blood cells become enlarged — making it harder for them to move in your bloodstream. This can ultimately cause a type of anemia. Vitamin B12 also helps your body make DNA — the building blocks for all of your body’s cells. Helps with brain functionEspecially as we age, vitamin B12 is vital for brain health. Some studies suggest that the vitamin may even help with preventing cognitive decline. If you become vitamin B12 deficient, it can affect your memory and cognition. Boosts energy levelsIf your vitamin B12 level is normal, there isn’t much research that suggests taking vitamin B12 will boost your energy. But if you’re currently vitamin B12 deficient, chances are, you’re struggling with weakness and fatigue. Making a point to eat more vitamin B12-rich foods is a great way to boost your energy if your system is lacking. May reduce risk of macular degenerationSome research also suggests that if you become vitamin B12 deficient, it can increase your risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is a gradual type of vision loss common for people over 50. As vitamin B12 has such an essential role in supporting healthy red blood cells, including more of it into your diet may help reduce your risk. How do I know if I have a vitamin B12 deficiency?Vitamin B12 is found in many food sources. But if you don’t produce enough of a protein called “intrinsic factor” that helps your body absorb vitamin B12, or if you don’t eat enough vitamin B12 foods, you may develop a deficiency. “If left untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anemia, nerve damage and more,” warns Taylor. You may also have a higher risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency if: If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have a vitamin B12 deficiency. Consult your doctor if:
What are the best sources of vitamin B12?You may not realize it, but vitamin B12 can be found in some of your favorite foods. “There’s no reason to completely change your diet in order to get a healthy dose of vitamin B12,” says Taylor. Here are some foods that are a good source of vitamin B12: MilkDairy and (some) nondairy brands are fortified with vitamin B12. If you’re allergic or intolerant to dairy and drink milk alternatives like almond, soy, oat or cashew milk, be sure to check the nutrition label for vitamin B12. Fortified cerealsIf you’re vegan or vegetarian, some cereals are a great source of vitamin B12. “Just be sure to choose a cereal that is low in added sugar and high in fiber and whole grains,” notes Taylor. Eggs“Egg yolks contain more vitamin B12 than egg whites,” says Taylor. “It’s important to eat the whole egg if you are trying to increase your vitamin B12 intake. But if you have high cholesterol, consult with your doctor or dietitian first.” YogurtFun fact: Eating full-fat plain yogurt has been shown to improve vitamin B12 deficiency because the vitamin is more easily absorbed in dairy products. If you’re looking for fewer calories, fat-free Greek yogurt is a healthier option that also provides a solid amount of vitamin B12 (it even has more vitamin B12 than whole-fat yogurt). SalmonMany people who try to eat healthier include salmon in their diets. It has a ton of omega-3 fatty acids and protein, as well as B vitamins. Just half of a cooked salmon fillet (6 ounces) contains more than 200% of the daily value for vitamin B12. TunaWhether you’re a fan of canned or cooked tuna, both provide many essential nutrients, including vitamin B12. If canned is your preference, opt for light tuna in water. If you prefer cooking your own tuna fillet, make note that the muscles right below the skin (the dark muscles) contain a high concentration of vitamin B12. BeefEating 3 ounces of red meat one to two times per week is recommended. “As a rule of thumb, choose leaner meats, which contain higher vitamin levels,” says Taylor. “And always try to grill meat instead of frying it.” Liver and kidneysOrgan meats are incredibly rich in B12, but also contain a large amount of cholesterol. For this reason, Taylor advises people who include organ meat in their diet to do so in moderation. ClamsA lean source of protein, iron and antioxidants, a 3.5-ounce serving of baby clams provides greater than 4,000% of vitamin B12’s recommended daily value. How much vitamin B12 should I take?The recommended vitamin B12 intake (in micrograms, or mcg) is as follows:
Source: National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements Do I need to take vitamin B12 supplements?“Unless you have a B12 deficiency or have identified a risk factor for deficiency (like following a vegan diet or having a malabsorption issue), there’s no need to take a vitamin B12 supplement. Instead, include food sources of vitamin B12 in your diet,” says Taylor. If you’re taking vitamin B12 supplements in addition to the vitamin-rich foods you’re consuming, you could experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and headache. “Symptoms of excessive intake are rare since your body will excrete any extra through your urine,” adds Taylor. The best thing to do? Consult with your doctor about a possible vitamin B12 deficiency. A simple blood panel will confirm your vitamin B12 levels and then your doctor can develop a plan of action from there. Related Articles
Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is naturally found in animal foods. It can also be added to foods or supplements. Vitamin B12 is needed to form red blood cells and DNA. It is also a key player in the function and development of brain and nerve cells. Vitamin B12 binds to the protein in the foods we eat. In the stomach, hydrochloric acid and enzymes unbind vitamin B12 into its free form. From there, vitamin B12 combines with a protein called intrinsic factor so that it can be absorbed further down in the small intestine. Supplements and fortified foods contain B12 in its free form, so they may be more easily absorbed. There is a variety of vitamin B12 supplements available. Although there are claims that certain forms—like sublingual tablets or liquids placed under the tongue to be absorbed through the tissues of the mouth—have better absorption than traditional tablets, studies have not shown an important difference. Vitamin B12 tablets are available in high dosages far above the recommended dietary allowance, but these high amounts are not necessarily the amount that will be absorbed because an adequate amount of intrinsic factor is also needed. In cases of severe vitamin B12 deficiency due to inadequate intrinsic factor (pernicious anemia), doctors may prescribe B12 injections in the muscle. Recommended AmountsRDA: The Recommended Dietary Allowance for men and women ages 14 years and older is 2.4 micrograms (mcg) daily. For pregnancy and lactation, the amount increases to 2.6 mcg and 2.8 mcg daily, respectively. [1] UL: A Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is the maximum daily dose unlikely to cause adverse side effects in the general population. No upper limit has been set for vitamin B12, as there is no established toxic level. However, some evidence suggests that supplements of 25 mcg per day or higher may increase the risk of bone fractures. [2] Vitamin B12 and HealthCardiovascular disease Vitamin B12 is involved in the breakdown of a protein called homocysteine. High homocysteine levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke as it may promote the formation of blood clots and excess free radical cells, and may impair normal blood vessel function. A lack of adequate vitamin B12 can increase homocysteine levels. Although epidemiological studies have found that vitamin B12 supplementation can decrease homocysteine levels, they have not consistently shown a decreased risk of cardiovascular events in taking the vitamin. Therefore the American Heart Association does not advocate for the routine use of B vitamin supplements in reducing cardiovascular disease risk. [1] However, vitamin B12 supplements can be important for some individuals with genetic variants that lead to high homocysteine levels. Cognitive function High homocysteine levels are linked with a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and cognitive decline. Similar to cardiovascular disease, although the research has shown that vitamin B12 supplementation reduces homocysteine blood levels, this has not translated into reduced rates of cognitive decline. A Cochrane review on folic acid supplements and cognition, with or without vitamin B12, did not find a significant effect of the supplements vs. placebo on cognitive function in healthy elderly people or people with dementia. [3] Another review of 14 randomized controlled trials also did not consistent evidence of benefit with the use of vitamin B12 supplements, alone or with other B vitamin supplements, on cognitive function in people with either normal or impaired cognition. [4] These findings do not preclude a possible benefit among some individuals with low vitamin B12 levels, and more research is needed. Food Sources
Signs of Deficiency and ToxicityDeficiencyMeasuring vitamin B12 in the blood is actually not the best way to determine whether someone is deficient, as some people with a deficiency can show normal B12 blood levels. Blood levels of methylmalonic acid, a protein breakdown product, and homocysteine are better markers that capture actual vitamin B12 activity. These values increase with a vitamin B12 deficiency. It is estimated that up to 15% of the general population has a vitamin B12 deficiency. [1] Factors that may cause vitamin B12 deficiency:
Signs of deficiency may include:
ToxicityVitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, so any unused amount will exit the body through the urine. Generally, up to 1000 mcg a day of an oral tablet to treat a deficiency is considered safe. The Institute of Medicine states “no adverse effects have been associated with excess vitamin B12 intake from food and supplements in healthy individuals.” [1] However, it is important not to start a high-dosage supplement of any kind without first checking with your doctor. Did You Know?
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