Vitamin B12, often known as cobalamin, is a vital nutrient that performs an important position within the physique. It’s concerned in a variety of bodily features, together with the manufacturing of crimson blood cells, the synthesis of DNA, and the functioning of the nervous system.
Vitamin B12 is discovered naturally in animal merchandise similar to meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy merchandise. Additionally it is accessible in fortified meals, similar to cereals, breads, and plant-based milks. Vitamin B12 shouldn’t be produced by the physique, so it is very important eat it by means of meals or dietary supplements.
Vitamin B12 has quite a few essential features within the physique. These features embrace:
what does vitamin b12 do
Vitamin B12 is a vital nutrient with many essential features within the physique.
- Produces crimson blood cells
- Synthesizes DNA
- Maintains nervous system
- Converts meals into vitality
- Helps immune system
- Promotes wholesome pores and skin and hair
- Prevents megaloblastic anemia
Vitamin B12 is present in animal merchandise and fortified meals. It is very important eat sufficient vitamin B12 to take care of good well being.
Produces crimson blood cells
Purple blood cells are accountable for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the remainder of the physique. Additionally they take away waste merchandise, similar to carbon dioxide, from the physique.
Vitamin B12 is important for the manufacturing of crimson blood cells. It helps the physique to supply DNA, which is the genetic materials that controls the manufacturing of all cells within the physique, together with crimson blood cells.
With out sufficient vitamin B12, the physique can’t produce sufficient crimson blood cells. This could result in a situation referred to as megaloblastic anemia. Megaloblastic anemia is a sort of anemia through which the crimson blood cells are bigger than regular and don’t perform correctly.
Signs of megaloblastic anemia embrace fatigue, weak point, pale pores and skin, shortness of breath, and chest ache. If left untreated, megaloblastic anemia can result in critical well being issues, similar to coronary heart failure and stroke.
Getting sufficient vitamin B12 is essential for sustaining a wholesome degree of crimson blood cells and stopping megaloblastic anemia. Vitamin B12 is discovered naturally in animal merchandise, similar to meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy merchandise. Additionally it is accessible in fortified meals, similar to cereals, breads, and plant-based milks.
Synthesizes DNA
DNA is the genetic materials that controls the manufacturing of all cells within the physique. It comprises the directions for making proteins, that are important for the construction and performance of the physique.
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DNA replication:
Vitamin B12 is important for the replication of DNA. DNA replication is the method by which a cell makes a duplicate of its DNA. This course of is important for cell division and development.
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DNA restore:
Vitamin B12 can also be concerned within the restore of broken DNA. Broken DNA can result in mutations, which might enhance the chance of most cancers and different illnesses.
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Synthesis of RNA:
Vitamin B12 can also be obligatory for the synthesis of RNA. RNA is a molecule that’s much like DNA. It’s used to hold genetic data from DNA to the ribosomes, the place proteins are made.
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Cell division:
Vitamin B12 is important for cell division. Cell division is the method by which a cell divides into two new cells. Cell division is important for development, restore, and replica.
Getting sufficient vitamin B12 is essential for sustaining a wholesome degree of DNA synthesis and stopping DNA injury. Vitamin B12 is discovered naturally in animal merchandise, similar to meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy merchandise. Additionally it is accessible in fortified meals, similar to cereals, breads, and plant-based milks.
Maintains nervous system
The nervous system is a fancy community of nerves and nerve cells that carries messages to and from the mind and spinal twine to all components of the physique. It’s accountable for controlling and coordinating all bodily features, together with motion, respiration, digestion, and coronary heart fee.
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Myelin sheath:
Vitamin B12 is important for the manufacturing of myelin, a fatty substance that coats nerve cells. Myelin acts as an insulator, serving to to hurry up the transmission of nerve alerts.
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Neurotransmitters:
Vitamin B12 can also be concerned within the manufacturing of neurotransmitters, that are chemical compounds that permit nerve cells to speak with one another. Neurotransmitters are important for a variety of bodily features, together with temper, sleep, and reminiscence.
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DNA synthesis:
Vitamin B12 can also be obligatory for the synthesis of DNA, the genetic materials that controls the manufacturing of all cells within the physique, together with nerve cells. DNA synthesis is important for the expansion and restore of nerve cells.
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Purple blood cell manufacturing:
Vitamin B12 can also be important for the manufacturing of crimson blood cells. Purple blood cells carry oxygen to all components of the physique, together with the mind and spinal twine. With out sufficient oxygen, nerve cells can turn out to be broken and die.
Getting sufficient vitamin B12 is essential for sustaining a wholesome nervous system. Vitamin B12 is discovered naturally in animal merchandise, similar to meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy merchandise. Additionally it is accessible in fortified meals, similar to cereals, breads, and plant-based milks.
Converts meals into vitality
Meals is the physique’s gas. After we eat, our our bodies break down the meals into vitamins that may be absorbed into the bloodstream. These vitamins are then used to supply vitality, which is important for all bodily features.
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Metabolism:
Vitamin B12 is concerned in metabolism, the method by which the physique converts meals into vitality. Vitamin B12 helps to interrupt down carbohydrates, proteins, and fat into smaller molecules that may be absorbed into the bloodstream.
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Krebs cycle:
Vitamin B12 can also be concerned within the Krebs cycle, a collection of chemical reactions that produce vitality from carbohydrates, proteins, and fat. The Krebs cycle is the principle means that the physique produces vitality.
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Electron transport chain:
Vitamin B12 can also be concerned within the electron transport chain, a collection of chemical reactions that use the vitality from the Krebs cycle to supply ATP. ATP is the physique’s essential vitality forex.
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Purple blood cell manufacturing:
Vitamin B12 can also be important for the manufacturing of crimson blood cells. Purple blood cells carry oxygen to all components of the physique, together with the cells that produce vitality.
Getting sufficient vitamin B12 is essential for sustaining a wholesome metabolism and producing vitality. Vitamin B12 is discovered naturally in animal merchandise, similar to meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy merchandise. Additionally it is accessible in fortified meals, similar to cereals, breads, and plant-based milks.
