Feeling tired and lacking energy all the time? That listless feeling is just one of the symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency. An adequate amount of vitamin B12, also known as cyanocobalamin, is a daily nutritional requirement for the human body to help create healthy red blood cells. In addition, vitamin B12 is important for proper functioning of the brain and nervous system. It is one of the eight B vitamins necessary for good health. Without the proper amount of vitamin B12 in the system on a daily basis, anemia results.
A persistent feeling of tiredness, weakness and lightheadedness are among the most common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. Many people feel they have just been working too hard or not resting enough, and they discount the possibility that they may not be getting enough vitamin B12. Weight loss and regular feelings of nausea are other symptoms of a lack of vitamin B12. Regular bouts of diarrhea or constipation, along with a tendency to have bleeding gums, depression, a lack of balance, a sore tongue and very pale skin are all indications that the individual is missing vitamin B12.
In addition to fueling the body with energy due to the continued creation of healthy red blood cells, vitamin B12 also benefits the myelin sheath of the nerves, a layer of fatty tissue protecting the nervous system and allowing for the proper electrical transfer of messages from nerves to cells throughout the body. Having an adequate supply of vitamin B12 also benefits the body's proper growth rate by stimulating the appetite and helping the body's metabolism work at peak efficiency. To enjoy the benefits of vitamin B12, you can ingest it in supplement form or get it from eating foods such as red meat, lobster, oysters, dairy products and eggs. The body needs only about 2 micrograms of vitamin B12 daily to enjoy its health benefits and prevent anemia.