Vitamin B12 (also called cobalamin) is a water-soluble vitamin. It is an essential nutrient that the body needs to make healthy red blood cells, DNA, and nerves–It also helps carry out other functions. B12 deficiency can lead to various symptoms such as fatigue, nerve problems, and mood changes. Please continue reading to learn more about this vitamin and some of the signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.

How much vitamin B12 do I need?

The human body does not make vitamin B12. Therefore, you need to get it from your diet or dietary supplements in order to make enough red blood cells. The average adult should get 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 a day.

Good food sources of vitamin B12 include organic meats, beef, poultry, milk, shellfish, fish, eggs, dairy products, wheat germ, soybeans, fortified cereals, nutritional yeast, orange juice, and oranges.

What is vitamin B12 deficiency anemia?

Red blood cells carry oxygen to every part of the body. In people who have a vitamin B12 deficiency, the body cannot make enough healthy red blood cells. This condition is called vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. In this deficiency, the tissues and organs in the body don’t get enough oxygen, leading to many symptoms related to B12 deficiency.

Another B vitamin is folic acid (also called folate). Folate deficiency anemia, like vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, is also a type of megaloblastic anemia. In these types of anemias, the red blood cells don’t develop like healthy red blood cells. Instead, they are very large and oval-shaped. As a result, the bone marrow makes fewer red blood cells (RBCs), and sometimes, the RBCs die sooner than usual.