Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) is one of the most important vitamins for human health. It helps maintain good brain function, nerve cell communication, muscle strength and energy levels. Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to mental retardation, memory loss and other symptoms in older adults. A deficiency may occur if someone does not consume enough foods rich in vitamin B12 or takes too little vitamin B12 supplements. People with a family history of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease are at increased risk for developing a vitamin B12 deficiency. For these reasons, it is recommended that all people over the age of 50 get sufficient amounts of vitamin B12 from their diet and/or take a daily supplement containing 2000 micrograms of vitamin B12.
How Much Should You Take per Day?
The amount of vitamin B12 that you need to take per day depends on your age and gender. If you are over the age of 50, then you will probably want to start taking a daily supplement containing 2000 micrograms of vitamin B12. This would mean that every two hours throughout the day. To calculate how much vitamin B12 you should take, multiply the milligrams by 0.001. If you take 500 micrograms of vitamin B12 per day, you need to take 0.5 micrograms of vitamin B12 every two hours.
The Need for Speed: How Much B-12 Should You Take in a Day?
If you are someone who has trouble swallowing large vitamin pills or simply do not have the time to stop and take your vitamins every two hours, we would recommend that you try a liquid supplement called B-12 Max. B-12 Max is a liquid supplement that you simply place one drop under your tongue and allow it to be absorbed into your blood stream. Each bottle of B-12 Max contains 500 drops, so if you take one drop per day, each bottle will last you one month. You can take more than one drop per day if you want, but keep in mind that taking too much B12 can cause toxic reactions and should not be done without the advice of your doctor.
Is it OK to Take 1000 mcg of B12 a Day?
Many doctors believe that taking more than 2000 micrograms of B12 per day is not safe and can cause nerve damage, liver problems and other complications. The maximum amount of B12 that you should take is 10000 micrograms per day. You should not take more than 10000 micrograms of B12 unless you are under the care of a doctor who is treating a diagnosed B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 Overdose: What Are the Symptoms?
There have been case reports of people who have developed health problems after taking high doses of B12 for long periods of time. These reports show that taking more than the recommended amount of B12 can lead to nerve damage, liver problems and other health complications. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek urgent medical attention:
Headaches
Convulsions
Dizziness
Sensation of Numbness
Irritability and Mood Swings
Confusion and Difficulty Concentrating
Mental Disorder Symptoms
Vomiting
Reduced Appetite
Depression
Restlessness and Lack of Energy
If you experience any of these symptoms and you have been taking high doses of B12, stop taking the supplements immediately and seek urgent medical attention.
Vitamin B12 Allergy: Are You Allergic to It?
Some people may experience an allergic reaction to vitamin B12 by having a rash, swelling or difficulty breathing after taking it. If you think that you are experiencing an allergic reaction to B12, seek urgent medical attention. If you think that you are experiencing an allergic reaction to vitamin B, stop taking the supplements immediately and seek urgent medical attention.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency: How to Prevent It
It is possible for you to get all the necessary amounts of vitamin B12 from your diet each day, but most people don’t get enough of this important nutrient from their diet alone. This is why most people should take a vitamin B12 supplement every day. If you are concerned about getting enough B12, you can take a supplement in order to prevent a vitamin B12 deficiency from developing. Taking a B12 supplement every day may also help reduce the risk of peripheral neuropathy caused by a lack of B12.
How to Get More Vitamin B12 in Your Diet
There are many different foods that contain high levels of B12. The best sources of B12 include:
Beef liver (3 oz. contains 2,360% of RDI)
Sardines (1 cup contains 48% of RDI)
Salmon (3 oz. contains 21% of RDI)
Trout (3 oz. contains 20% of RDI)
Mackerel (3. oz contains 19% of RDI)
Clams (3 oz. contains 17% of RDI)
Fortified cereal (1 cup contains 10% of RDI)
Tuna (3 oz. contains 7% of RDI)
Cheese (1 oz. contains 4% of RDI)
Eggs (1 egg contains 6% of RDI)
If you aren’t getting enough B12 in your diet, you should take a supplement every day. If you are concerned about nerve damage or a possible B12 deficiency, you can also see your doctor for tests.
Who Needs Vitamin B12: The Importance of B12 for Pregnant Women
Pregnant women need a large amount of B12 to support their own health and the health of their unborn baby. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, pregnant women need 2.6 micrograms of B12 every day in their third trimester. Taking a B12 supplement in addition to dietary changes can help pregnant women meet these needs.
If you are concerned about your B12 levels, or the levels of a loved one, contact a company like Allergy Partners today.
Sources & references used in this article:
Vitamin B12 deficiency by R Oh, DL Brown – American family physician, 2003 – aafp.org
ORAL TREATMENT OF PERNICIOUS ANEMIA WITH HIGH DOSES OF VITAMIN B12 WITHOUT INTRINSIC FACTOR by H Berlin, R Berlin, G Brante – Acta Medica Scandinavica, 1968 – Wiley Online Library
Oral cyanocobalamin supplementation in older people with vitamin B12 deficiency: a dose-finding trial by SJPM Eussen, LC de Groot, R Clarke… – Archives of Internal …, 2005 – jamanetwork.com
Importance of both folic acid and vitamin B12 in reduction of risk of vascular disease by EP Quinlivan, J McPartlin, H McNulty, M Ward, JJ Strain… – The Lancet, 2002 – Elsevier
