Vitamin B12: Cobalamin

Vitamin B12: Cobalamin

Benefits: 1. MAKING HEALTHY RED BLOOD CELLS.
2. HELPING OTHER CELLS GROW AND DIVIDE PROPERLY.
3. MAKING A PROTECTIVE LAYER AROUND THE NERVE CELLS.
4. AIDS IN CONVERTING FOODS INTO ENERGY.
5. PREVENTS HEART DISEASE

How it Works: Cobalamin is essential to making myelin the protective coating around nerves. Without the proper coating nerve cells malfunction, and it could lead to dementia a problem many older people face. As with many of the B vitamins, cobalamin is needed to convert food into energy the body can use. Cobalamin also reduces homocystein levels decreasing the risk of a heart attack.

Sources: Good food sources of cabalamin are: meats, chicken, fish, milk, yogurt, cheese, and eggs. Cobalamin should not be taken with Vitamin C as Vitamin C can destroy cobalamin.

Recommendations: The MINIMUM intake needed for cobalamin is as follows: Infants to 6 months need at least 0.4 mcg/day. Infants 6 months to 1 year need a MINIMUM of 0.5 mcg/day. Children 1-3 years old need a MINIMUM of 0.9 mcg/day. Children 4-8 years old need a MINIMUM of 1.2 mcg/day. Children 9-13 years old need a MINIMUM of 1.8 mcg/day. People 14 and older need a MINIMUM of 2.4 mcg/day. Finally, pregnant and nursing women need a MINIMUM of 2.6 mcg/day.