Vitamin B12 - Health Benefits

Aging and Life Extension

 The body’s ability to absorb dietary Vitamin B12 usually declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process (and daily supplements of 500 - 1,000 micrograms per day are recommended in order to counteract this impaired absorption in persons over the age of 60).  ^[1]

 Vitamin B12 may inhibit the age-related shortening of Telomeres.  ^[2]

Cardiovascular System

 Vitamin B12 (400 - 1,000 micrograms per day) may help to prevent many types of Cardiovascular Diseases (by lowering elevated Homocysteine levels - excessive Homocysteine is a risk factor for many Cardiovascular Diseases):

 Vitamin B12 may help to prevent Atherosclerosis (primarily through its effect on reducing toxic levels of Homocysteine that are implicated in Atherosclerosis).  ^[3]

 Vitamin B12 may help to prevent Heart Attacks (by lowering elevated Homocysteine levels).  ^[4]

 Vitamin B12 is required for the formation of Red Blood Cells:  ^[5]

 Macrocytic Anemia may occur as a result of Vitamin B12 deficiency.  ^[6]

 Macrocytosis may occur as a result of Vitamin B12 deficiency.

 Megaloblastic Anemia may occur as a result of Vitamin B12 deficiency and supplemental Vitamin B12 alleviates Megaloblastic Anemia.  ^[7]

 Pernicious Anemia may occur as a direct result of Vitamin B12 deficiency - Pernicious Anemia can usually be totally rectified by with (either oral or injected) Vitamin B12 supplements:  ^[8]

 This attribute of Vitamin B12 is well-accepted even by conventional medical practitioners.

 Note that although many medical texts specify that Vitamin B12 therapy must utilize Vitamin B12 injections, this is incorrect;  a study published in the USA clearly shows that oral Vitamin B12 therapy produces reliable and effective treatment of Vitamin B12 even in severe cases of Pernicious Anemia.

 Vitamin B12 may help to protect against the after-effects of (ischemic) Stroke.  In addition, Vitamin B12 may help to prevent Strokes (by helping to lower elevated Homocysteine levels).  ^[9]

Cells

 Vitamin B12 may be essential for the integrity of Cell Membranes. 

 Vitamin B12 may be essential for the production of all Epithelial Cells. 

 Vitamin B12 may help to prevent damage to Chromosomes. 

 Optimal Vitamin B12 status during Pregnancy helps to prevent Neural Tube Defects in offspring (women with low Vitamin B12 levels during their Pregnancy have an increased risk of bearing children with Neural Tube Defects).  ^[10]

Digestive System

 Many Celiac Disease patients are found to be deficient in Vitamin B12 (indicating that supplemental Vitamin B12 may benefit Celiac Disease patients).  ^[11]

 Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in Crohn's Disease patients - this does not imply that Vitamin B12 alleviates Crohn’s Disease but does imply that Crohn’s Disease patients may need to supplement with Vitamin B12 (administered by a physician via injection) in order to avoid Vitamin B12 deficiency - the sole absorption site for Vitamin B12 is in the Ileum (the same site that is most commonly impaired by Crohn’s Disease).  ^[12]

 Vitamin B12 may enhance the general health of the Digestive System. 

 Vitamin B12 deficiency may contribute to Hypochlorhydria. 

 Pinworms impair the absorption of Vitamin B12.  Vitamin B12 supplementation may help to overcome this impaired absorption.  ^[13]

Ears/Hearing

 Vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to Hearing Loss - Age-Related.  ^[14]

 Vitamin B12 may improve hearing in some cases of (chronic) Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (27% of people afflicted with chronic Noise-Induced Hearing Loss exhibit Vitamin B12 deficiency) - Vitamin B12 may be of benefit due to its ability to enhance the conduction of Nerve Impulses relating to Hearing.  ^[15]