With the talk about vitamin C, iron, and calcium, sometimes vitamin B12 gets left out of the loop. But the truth is, it’s a very important vitamin that helps with a number of functions in the body from maintaining heart health to providing a boost of energy.
However, like any vitamin or nutrient, you can drop to low levels of B12 and there will be health consequences that may not be obvious right away. Let’s take a look at 12 things to know about a vitamin B12 deficiency, and how to avoid it…
1. About B12
The National Institutes of Health explains that vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods. It “exists in many forms” and contains cobalt, giving B12 compounds the name “cobalamins,” adds the source.
The forms of B12 that play a role in human metabolism include Methylcobalamin and 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin, it says. It’s important for red blood cell production and neurological functions, it adds.
