Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that helps the body metabolize food, produce red blood cells, and maintain healthy nerve and blood cells. It’s also known as cobalamin.
What it does
- Helps the body convert food into energy
- Helps produce DNA, the genetic material in all cells
- Helps maintain healthy nerve cells
- Helps maintain healthy red blood cells
- Helps maintain healthy bones
Where it’s found
- Found in animal foods like fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products
- Fortified in some breakfast cereals and nutritional yeast products
- Available as a dietary supplement or prescription medication
How much you need
- The amount you need depends on your age
- Pregnant people need more vitamin B12 than non-pregnant people
Symptoms of deficiency Feeling tired or weak, Problems with the nervous system, Temporary infertility, Heart conditions, and Pregnancy complications and birth defects.
How to get more
- Eat foods that are rich in vitamin B12
- Take a dietary supplement
- Get a prescription for a vitamin B12 injection