Vitamin B-12 is sometimes taken to treat memory loss, poor concentration, lack of energy. Learn why B-12 is essential for your Brain

Your mom always told you to take your vitamins growing up, your doctor always checked to ensure you’re eating a diet full of nutrient-packed foods. To a certain point, knowing vitamins and minerals were good for you was sufficient motivation to comply with healthy eating and taking your multi-vitamins.

But why do we need these vitamins? How does your body use them? What do they have to do with disease and aging?

All vitamins serve a unique purpose in contributing to the body’s various organ systems. In order to demonstrate the importance of adequate intake of vitamins for brain health and delaying the effects of aging, I’m going to focus solely on the role of vitamin B-12.

What is vitamin B-12?

Vitamin B-12 also known as cobalamin, is one of 8 B vitamins. B vitamins represent a group of water-soluble vitamins critical to cell metabolism. This means they affect every single cell in the human body, but the body itself is incapable of producing such vitamins so they must be acquired from external sources. Other members of this group include B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, Folic acid, and Biotin.

B12 mainly controls the formation of red blood cells and the production of DNA. While a deficiency in this vitamin is not particularly common as it’s found in a wide variety of foods, blood tests revealing low B12 levels often accompany other health issues, primarily: atrophy of stomach lining, anemia, diseases of the small intestine such as Crohn’s or celiac disease, and other immune system disorders.

Additionally, deficiencies can result from restrictive diets such as those eliminating animal products. B12 is only found in animal sources, including dairy, eggs, meat, fish, and poultry. Individuals on plant-based diets should have their b-12 levels evaluated and likely seek supplementation.

Further, the body sometimes develops difficulty absorbing this nutrient as it ages. Making it even more imperative to seek out adequate consumption of this nutrient for proper cell functioning.

How does vitamin B-12 impact your brain?

It’s been well understood for a while now that B-12 is essential for nerves to operate properly. However, recent research has shown the light that deficiencies of this vitamin are linked to incidences of depression and anxiety. Patients with lower than normal levels of B-12 typically demonstrate hindered memory, focus, and concentration.

From careful scrutiny of metabolic pathways and neurotransmitter genesis, B-12 is required for the production of serotonin and dopamine. These two transmitters maintain essential roles in almost every system the brain controls.

What does aging have to do with it?

Cognitive decline is a hallmark of the aging brain. However, individuals with deficiencies in B12 appear to have a more extreme and earlier onset of cognitive decline than those demonstrating sufficient levels. Further, B-12 protects areas of the brain that deteriorate in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s.

Vulnerability to the potential harm of vitamin B-12 deficiency combined with the disrupted ability to digest it with increasing age makes it utterly imperative to seek proper nutrition and potential supplementation. Sustaining necessary amounts of this vitamin protects overall brain health by manipulating cell function and DNA production.

You can also take brain supplements such as  NeuroActiv6 from Natural Cell a supplement that has a lot of potential for improving one’s health and can be a great way to balance one’s vitamins and minerals.