Vitamin B The Cobalt Of The B Vitamins

Vitamin B The Cobalt of the B Vitamins

Summary: Vitamin B is probably the best known among the B complex vitamins because many people take B injections as a treatment for severe pernicious anemia

vitamins, nutrition, supplements

Article Body: Vitamin B is probably the best known among the B complex vitamins because many people take B injections as a treatment for severe pernicious anemia. People who exhibit signs of weakness may be diagnosed with a B deficiency and a simple regimen of introducing Vitamin B in some other form may greatly help reduce the symptoms. If a true deficiency exists, the person may also have constipation and no appetite, often resulting in weight loss. In more extreme cases, tingling and confusion may be a manifestation of low B levels.

Vitamin B deficiencies tend to be more common in older adults. The chronic weakness and tendency to sleep more hours than normal, though sometimes considered a normal sign of aging, may actually be attributed to a lack of sufficient B being absorbed and utilized by the body.

One important point to remember about B is that you may be getting enough of this important vitamin in your daily diet, but your body may not absorb it properly. The release of Vitamin B is part of the function of stomach acids. Health issues that include gastric problems may mean the B is not being released as it should be. The result of this situation is that you still have a B deficiency, even though youre eating all the right foods.

There are a few foods that are simply rich in Vitamin B, though those foods are likely not on the daily menu of most people. Mollusks, for example, provide more than , percent the daily recommended intake of this vitamin. Though many people dont like liver, a single slice of beef liver will give you more than percent of your bodys daily need for B. Salmon, trout and tuna are also good sources of B.

This is one of the most important vitamins for infants, and babies with a B deficiency may simply fail to develop normally. There is some question about the amount of B an infant needs on a daily basis. If you are concerned, talk to you pediatrician.

Many of the foods high in B content are meats, therefore are avoided by vegetarians. If you are a vegetarian (and especially if you are pregnant or nursing a baby), you should talk to your doctor about adding a B supplement to your daily routine. Since babies in the womb and nursing infants get only those vitamins their mothers have to offer, B could be an issue for babies if the mom is a strict vegetarian.