B12: What does it do

Hi! I'm Stelios Pantazis.
I'm a doctor and I specialize in
medical nutrition and metabolic disorders.
Our subject today is the functions
of vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 has
various significant functions.
Vitamins are substances
that our body can't compose,
therefore we have to take them
through our diet.
Let's see the functions of vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 helps produce
normal red blood cells.
Our blood contains some cells
that are called red cells
and have two functions:
to carry oxygen to the body
and to remove CO2.
When the red cells are produced
in a reduced-B12 environment,
they become larger in volume,
which makes it harder
for them to work properly.
When vitamin B12 is extremely low
in the blood,
the production of red cells
reduces significantly,
which may cause anaemia.
Anaemia is the absence of red cells
in the blood.
It causes fatigue, weakness etc.
Vitamin B12 reduces the chances
of genetic disorders.
Vitamin B12 is extremely important
for the development of the nervous system.
The nervous system starts being developed
in the embryo
from the very first days after conception.
It needs vitamin B12 to develop properly.
If the pregnant woman is B12-deficient,
the chances of genetic disorders
increases significantly,
particularly disorders associated
with the nervous system.
Besides genetic disorders,
studies have shown
that women with low vitamin B12
may have a preterm birth
or lose the baby.
A study has proven
that when the pregnant woman's vitamin B12
is lower than 250 mg/dL,
her baby is three times more likely
to suffer from genetic disorders
compared to pregnant women
with normal B12 levels.
Moreover, if vitamin B12 is lower than 150,
the risk is five times higher.
Therefore, the B12 levels of pregnant
women should be at least over 250.
I'd say that it's safer for them
to have over 350.
Vitamin B12 protects the bones.
Although the vitamin mainly associated
with bone health is vitamin D,
vitamin B12 also seems to play
a significant role.
Studies have shown repeatedly
that people with low B12
suffer from osteopenia or osteoporosis
more frequently.
Vitamin B12 reduces the chances
of macular degeneration.
Vitamin B12 plays a significant role
in the homocysteine levels in the blood.
People that are B12-deficient
have increased homocysteine,
which increases the chances
of macular degeneration,
which is a condition affecting vision.
Vitamin B12 improves the mood
and reduces depression symptoms.
Although the way in which vitamin B12
affects the mood
hasn't been fully understood,
we know that vitamin B12 is necessary
for serotonin to compose.
Serotonin is a hormone playing
an important role in our mood.
Studies have shown that people
with low B12
have trouble producing serotonin,
which seems to affect their mood.
Moreover, studies have shown
that for people with low B12
and mood disorders,
the increase of B12 either through healthy
diet or through dietary supplements
helps improve their mood.
Obviously, if you have normal B12,
B12 dietary supplements
won't improve your mood.
Vitamin B12 plays an important role
in the brain's normal function
and the maintenance of brain nerves.
We know that the older we get,
we lose nerve tissue from the brain.
People with low B12 lose nerve tissue
from the brain earlier.
This leads to memory loss and brain atrophy.
Studies have shown that even
normal low levels of B12
are associated with memory problems.
Finally, a study on people
with early dementia
has shown that the administration
of vitamin B12 and Omega-3 fatty acids
decelerated mental decline.
Vitamin B12 plays a significant role
in the production of energy.
One of the first symptoms
of B12 deficiency in the body
is fatigue and weakness.
This is often the symptom that reveals
the B12 deficiency
and, in this case, a diet
that is rich in B12
or the administration of B12 supplements
can reverse this situation.
Obviously, if the B12 levels
in your body are normal,
B12 supplements are not going to help.
If you want to find out
if the B12 levels in your body are normal,
you should watch the video
I posted about a year ago.
Vitamin B12 can help reduce
homocysteine in the blood.
Studies have shown that the presence
of homocysteine in the blood
increases the chances of problems
in the heart,
the great vessels, or even stroke.
Low B12 may lead to increased homocysteine.
Conversely, a diet that is rich in B12
or B12 dietary supplements
can help normalize homocysteine.
Vitamin B12 helps us have
healthy skin, hair and nails.
Among other things, vitamin B12
also contributes to the health of our skin
and, by extension, our hair and nails.
People that are B12-deficient may
suffer from skin conditions,
such as disorders in skin pigmentation,
vitiligo etc.
Taking account of all these
significant functions of vitamin B12,
it's really important that you have
your B12 levels examined.
You can follow the instructions
in the video I posted