What Is the Purpose of B12 in Your Body?

Vitamin B12 helps the body make red blood cells.

Vitamin B12 performs important functions in your body. According to the Mayo Clinic, vitamin B12 deficiency is rare because the body naturally stores years' worth of this vitamin. Vitamin B12 is a naturally occurring vitamin that is absorbed by the body from food. Vitamin B12 can be added to foods, taken as a supplement or a prescription.

Cells

Every cell in the human body needs vitamin B12 for metabolic processes. Cell metabolism includes the normal functions of cells, including growth and reproduction.

Brain

Research from the University of Oxford in England may have correlated vitamin B12 with the prevention of brain shrinkage and memory loss, which may commonly affect elderly people.

Blood

Vitamin B12 is a required for the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body to organs and tissue.

DNA

Vitamin B12 is also required for DNA synthesis. Without B12, the human body cannot reproduce DNA.

Sources

Vitamin B12 is found naturally in meats such as fish and chicken. Other foods that contain B12 include eggs, milk and some cereals are fortified with it. Individuals, such as vegans or vegetarians, who do not eat these foods may have lower B12 levels in their body.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Brief on vitamin B12
• National Institute of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements
• WebMD: Brain benefits of B12

Resources

• US News & World Report: vitamin B12 and the aging brain