Sunday, August 13, 2006

Supplement Your Diet With Vitamin B12

By: Jenny Riley

Lack of a proper blood level in human beings is the major causeof the condition known as anemia.
Shortage of blood means erythrocytes or red blood cells willnot be produced in the correct quantity.
The anomaly can be rectified with diets. Specifically, dietscontaining large amount of Vitamin B12 (cobalamin).
Studies show that some cases of Vitamin B12 anemic conditioncan lead to permanent brain damage.
The good news however, is vitamin B12 is present in almost allvarieties of foods.
So long as you eat meat regularly, even just once a week, youare getting vitamin B12 in your diet.
Eggs, cheese, and dairy products are other examples of foodsthat contain this essential nutrient.
For vegetarians, fortified cereals and soy products offerplenty of vitamin B12.
But tarry a while, experts say the class of people mostsusceptible to low level of vitamin B12 intake are vegetarians.
The reason?
These people do not eat any kind of animal products. And some,apart from their disdain of animal products, do not eatfortified grains or cereals.
It is highly recommended that vegetarians should take vitaminB12 supplements regularly to compensate for its absence intheir diets.
Don't be among those who live under the illusion that certainvegetables have vitamin B12. The fact is only one plant hasbeen proven to have a form of vitamin B12 that can be utilizedby humans.
That plant is a Chinese herb known as Dang Guy. And it is notavailable in appreciable quantity everywhere.
So most vegetarians don't really have any option than to takesupplements.
The decision to change your diet to that of a vegetarian is notone only you can make. It's a good idea to talk it over withyour physician.
If you've been a vegetarian for sometime and haven't had amedical check up and a blood test, then it's about time you goin for one as soon as possible, even if you are feeling fine.
This is because vitamin B12 deficiency can take years todevelop, and by the time you start to experience the anemiasymptoms, you might already be in danger of permanent braindamage.
People, who due to surgery have had parts of their stomachremoved are also very susceptible to deficiency of vitamin B12.
The parietal cells in your stomach (the same one that producesthe acid which aids digestion) also produces a glycoproteincalled "intrinsic factor". This "factor" must be present in thebody for vitamin B12 to be absorbed.
In the absence of the intrinsic factor, you will require dietsthat contain a large quantity of vitamin B12 to avoid anemia.
People in this situation should also take vitamin B12 richfoods like liver for instance, to get the right amount of thenutrient.
If these suggestions don't appeal to you, then you can takevitamin B12 injections.
About the Author: By Jenny Rileyhttp://www.sweet-weight-loss.com/
Source: http://www.isnare.com/

No comments: