Written by Info Expert on July 21, 2010 | Posted in Health and Fitness

You may already know that B12 is very important to your health. B12 is used in the creation and maintenance of cells in your body. B12 plays a very important role in the red blood cells in your body. The body also relies on B12 for the creation of several enzymes that are needed to keep you healthy.

Pernicious anemia can result in a life threatening B12 deficiency. Symptoms of low B12 levels include mental confusion, low blood pressure, a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, paleness and fatigue. A B12 deficiency is also typically accompanied by neurological issues. If they are not treated early enough, the neurological symptoms may become permanent.

Many people do not understand that just having low levels of B12 can be very harmful to your health. Many people have problems when they reach the low normal range.

Homocysteine levels in your body increase when B12 levels are low. At high levels, homocysteine is toxic. At high levels, homocysteine can lead to heart disease as well as many other health issues. If your levels of homocysteine are high, you are at risk of developing heart disease. When you supplement with B12,it works in your body to break down homoysteine. It lowers the levels by turning this amino acid into substances that are not harmful to the body.

Since B12 is found in meat, fish and poultry, most people do not have an issue getting enough B12. The problem is that many people cannot properly absorb the B12 that they consume. Intrinsic factor plays a key role in the absorption of B12. Because your body begins to produce less intrinsic factor when you get older, B12 absorption issues occur much more frequently as you age. This is why so many people who are older decide to take regular b12 shots. There are many other reasons to take supplemental B12, however. For example, B12 weight loss programs are growing in popularity. Talk to your doctor and see if a b12 shot is right for you!

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