What is vitamin B12 and what does it do? Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps keep your body's blood and nerve cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells . Vitamin B12 also helps prevent megaloblastic anemia, a blood condition that makes people tired and weak.
What are the benefits and side effects of vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 benefits include forming red blood cells, preventing dementia, and reducing birth defects . Vitamin B12 is found in foods like meat, eggs, dairy, and fish. Side effects of B12 are rare but can include headaches, anxiety, and nausea.
What happens if your B12 is too high?
High doses of vitamin B-12, such as those used to treat a deficiency, might cause: Headache . Nausea and vomiting . Diarrhea .
Can you have too much B12?
Since B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, it's generally considered safe, even at high doses. No Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) has been established for B12, due to its low level of toxicity . UL refers to the maximum daily dose of a vitamin unlikely to cause adverse side effects in the general population.
Can B12 raise blood pressure?
Vitamin B12 intake was significantly inversely associated with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure
Does B12 make your hair grow?
One of those vital nutrients is B12, also known as cobalamin. B12 promotes healthy hair growth by assisting in the production of oxygen-rich red blood cells, which feed hair follicles. Your hair is made of a protein called keratin.
How often should I take vitamin B12?
However, B12 supplements have been found to improve energy levels in those who are deficient in this nutrient ( 17 ). One review recommended that those with vitamin B12 deficiency take 1 mg of vitamin B12 daily for a month, followed by a maintenance dose of 125–250 mcg per day ( 18 ).
Can B12 cause hair loss?
Significantly exceeding this dose, however, can cause illness. In general, the symptoms of vitamin toxicity include nausea, gastrointestinal problems like constipation and diarrhea, hair loss , rashes, and nerve damage.
What medications should not be taken with B12?
Certain medications can decrease the absorption of vitamin B12, including: colchicine, metformin, extended-release potassium products, antibiotics (such as gentamicin, neomycin, tobramycin), anti-seizure medications (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), medications to treat heartburn (such as H2 blockers ...
Is it OK to take 1000 mcg of B12 a day?
The recommended dose for treating vitamin B12 deficiency is 1000 mcg daily . The recommended dose for preventing vitamin B12 deficiency is 1500 mg or 2500 mcg (sublingual tablets) daily. The dose for treating hyperhomocysteinemia is 400 mg daily in combination with folic acid.
Can vitamin B12 cause heart problems?
Macrocytosis associated with vitamin B12 deficiency is also associated with fatal and non-fatal coronary disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, and other circulatory health problems .
Is 1000mcg too much B12?
A dose of 1,000 mcg or more is considered a high dose of vitamin B12 , which is about 400% of the daily requirement of 2.4 mcg.
How much B12 should an elderly woman take?
Dosages for Older People
Around this age, you should be getting around 2.4 micrograms of B12 a day . Not only does this mean consciously eating foods that contain vitamin B12 but it also means that you should ingest this vitamin as a supplement. By taking supplements, you will ensure that your body absorbs vitamin B12.
How much B12 is too much for seniors?
In some cases, doctors may recommend high doses — more than 1,000 micrograms (mcg) per day. A recent study found that for seniors, a daily dose of 500 micrograms was efficient in reversing the signs of B12 deficiency. In general, experts recommend 2.5 micrograms of vitamin B12 per day for people over the age of 14.
Can B12 cause heart palpitations?
There are a variety of symptoms that come with a B12 deficiency. One sign associated with the condition is experiencing heart palpitations . “Your heart may feel like it's pounding, fluttering or beating irregularly, often for just a few seconds or minutes.
Does B12 lower cholesterol?
They found that low levels of vitamin B12 were associated with higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides —even after adjusting for the effects that body mass index, abdominal fat, and total body fat percentage have on the body.
Does B12 help with GREY hair?
In addition to food, both vitamins B6 and B12 can be found in a range of supplements which may help you to prevent grey hairs and restore your natural colour.
Does B12 deficiency cause joint pain?
Not getting enough vitamin B12 to the point of a deficiency can cause a variety of serious symptoms including depression, joint pain, and fatigue . Sometimes these effects can be debilitating to the point where you might think you're dying or seriously ill.
Is vitamin B12 good for skin?
What it does: B12 is necessary for cell reproduction and can be applied topically for skin benefits because it reduces inflammation, dryness, and acne . It is sometimes used to treat conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
Which fruit is rich in vitamin B12?
| Foods Vitamin B12 (% of DV) | Fruits 5% | Fortified cereals 100% | Yeast (quarter cup) 290% |
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Which form of vitamin B12 is best?
Methylcobalamin. Methylcobalamin is the most bio-available type of Vitamin B12 which means the body absorbs it more easily. Naturally occurring, it is found in animal-based foods such as meat, fish, milk and eggs so Methylcobalamin B12 is readily available in many people's daily diets.
How long does it take for vitamin B12 to work?
It may take a few weeks before your vitamin B12 levels and symptoms (such as extreme tiredness or lack of energy) start to improve. If you have hydroxocobalamin injections to boost your vitamin B12 levels at the start of treatment, the cyanocobalamin tablets may start to work within a few days.
What vitamin Are you lacking If your hair is thinning?
Vitamin D : When vitamin D is low, the hair may thin or stop growing. Zinc: Zinc deficiency can cause similar hair loss to iron and may also damage any remaining hair, causing it to break. Selenium: Armani cautions that selenium deficiency is rare.
What are the symptoms of low B12?
- Weakness, tiredness, or lightheadedness.
- Heart palpitations and shortness of breath.
- Pale skin.
- A smooth tongue.
- Constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or gas.
- Nerve problems like numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, and problems walking.
- Vision loss.
What causes women's hair to thin?
There are a wide range of conditions that can bring on hair loss, with some of the most common being pregnancy, thyroid disorders, and anemia . Others include autoimmune diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and skin conditions such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, Rogers says.
