As we age, it becomes more and more difficult to absorb the vitamins we need to maintain our health. Vitamin B12 is especially hard because our bodies don’t make it naturally. Our bodies can only absorb Vitamin B12 through the foods we eat or through supplements. Yet it is a vital vitamin for good health. The Vitamin B12 benefits for seniors can make the difference between great health and all sorts of problems. The vitamin B12 benefits for elderly people, only come if you do it right. The right vitamin B12 dosage for seniors can optimize the benefits of this important vitamin.
Most of the Vitamin B12 benefits for elderly people revolve around three areas of the body:
Hemoglobin is the compound in the blood responsible for bringing oxygen all over your body. The Vitamin B12 benefits for seniors for nerve strength should be pretty obvious.
Homocysteine is an amino acid produced by your body. If the levels of Homocysteine become too high, your chances of having a heart attack or stroke spike up. Vitamin B12 interacts with Homocysteine to ensure any excess amino acid is expelled from the body.
Not having enough B12 in your body can cause a whole host of problems. One of the biggest problems for older people is that it can lead to cognitive decline (loss of memory). Think of how important it is for Oxygen to head up to your brain. Remember (no pun intended) that Vitamin B12 helps produce hemoglobin that transports the oxygen up to the old noggin. That’s why it’s important to know the right Vitamin B12 dosage for seniors so they don’t become deficient.
Here are some other problems with Vitamin B12 deficiency and a video explaining some of them:
https://youtu.be/F5iQxxtsGRE?t=192
The Megoblastic Anemia is just a fancy term for the bodies inability to synthesize DNA during hemoglobin production. Come to think of it, that’s a pretty technical description as well. Just think of it as bad for carrying oxygen around your body. The problems of not receiving enough oxygen include what you would think – shortness of breath, muscle weakness, and possibly nausea and paleness.
You would think that most of the Vitamin B12 benefits would be to stop the problems with the deficiencies. And you would be right about that. But there are a few other benefits we will mix in with this list:
The main foods that can provide Vitamin B12 are all animal-based. That’s why it is especially important for Vegans and Vegetarians to add a Vitamin B12 supplement to their diets. We’re not knocking Plant-Based eaters. We heartily endorse them. It’s just that they may need to add a supplement or two to make sure they have the right Vitamin B12 dosage for seniors.
Most animal food contains some Vitamin B12. Some of the best sources include:
Of course to really optimize the levels, the fish should be wild caught (not farm-raised) and the eggs, chicken and beef should be free range organic. The milk should be raw if possible.
Some cereals are also fortified with Vitamin B12. Check the labels to see what percentage of the US recommended daily allowance the cereal has. Of course eating Frosted Flakes for Vitamin B12 will also give you a lot of sugar and other unhealthy foods. This doesn’t seem like the best way to obtain Vitamin B12 benefits.
Vegans, Vegetarians, and maybe those who just don’t like fish can still maintain B12 levels through supplementation. It’s a good idea to consult a health professional about the right supplements for you.
There are two types of Vitamin B12 supplements:
Generally it seems like the right Vitamin B12 dosage for seniors is around 2.4 micrograms daily. Pregnant and nursing women should take a little more, since they are ‘eating for 2’. Your health care provider can determine an optimum level.
Don’t worry about overdosing on Vitamin B12. Your body won’t absorb any more than it needs. Any excess B12 will just go out in your urine. You’re just raising the cost of your pee.
We’d love to help you with any questions you have about diet or elder care. We have contracted with a nurse, personal trainer, nutritionist and several doctors in the area to answer any questions you may have. You can contact us through the main page of our website, email us at Cam@aparadiseforparents.comor call us at 623-295-9890. We’d love to help in any way we can.
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