Vitamin B12 FORTE 500 µg Methylcobalamin

B vitamins are among the most important vitamins and perform elementary functions in the human body. Many people suffer from a vitamin B deficiency without knowing it. Vitamin B12 deficiency is particularly common, as this vitamin can only be absorbed through animal products compared to the other B vitamins. B vitamins are mainly found in legumes, cereals or animal products and, optimally, are sufficiently absorbed through food. However, this is rarely guaranteed, as various factors can prevent this. 

Even though people often only talk about vitamin B12 (and vitamin B12 deficiency), all B vitamins are responsible for a wide variety of functions in the body and should therefore all be sufficiently present in the body. However, this can only be achieved through a really very balanced diet and even then it should be noted that many B vitamins are already destroyed by contact with water (when washing vegetables and fruit) or low heat (heating or cooking food).

It is also important to know that many standard blood tests only examine vitamin B12 levels, completely ignoring other B vitamins! 

 The eight B vitamins are:

1. Vitamin B1: Thiamine
2. Vitamin B2: Riboflavin
3. Vitamin B3: Niacin
4. Vitamin B5: pantothenic acid
5. Vitamin B6: pyridoxine
6. Vitamin B7: Biotin
7. Vitamin B9: Folic acid / Folate
8. Vitamin B12: Cobalamin  

Why does my body need B vitamins?

• Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and biotin contribute to a normal energy metabolism as well as to a normal function of the nervous system.
• Vitamin B1, B3, B6, B12, folic acid and biotin contribute to normal mental function.
• Vitamin B2, B3, B5, B6, B12 and folic acid contribute to the reduction of fatigue and tiredness.
• Vitamin B6 and B12 contribute to normal homocysteine metabolism.
• Vitamin B2, B6 and B12 contribute to normal red blood cell formation.
• Vitamin B2, B3 and biotin contribute to the maintenance of normal skin and mucous membranes.
• Biotin (vitamin B7) contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.  

Not sure if you have a vitamin B deficiency?

If a of the following applies to you, you are probably affected by a vitamin B and/or vitamin B12 deficiency:

1. You eat less than 5x fruits and vegetables a day

2. You rarely/irregularly eat meat or even have a vegan or vegetarian diet

3. You take certain medications such as antacid medications or blood sugar lowering medications

4. You regularly drink alcohol

5. You suffer from stomach or intestinal diseases or have digestive disorders
  

1. Eat enough fruit and vegetables
The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends an intake of at least five portions of fruit and vegetables per day to cover the daily vitamin B requirement. However, very few people achieve this amount in their daily diet. 

2. Diet without or with few animal products
Since we cannot produce vitamin B12 ourselves, we are dependent on a constant supply of vitamin B12 through food. It is found exclusively in animal products such as eggs, fish or meat and must be supplied to the body, especially in vegan diets. 

3. Vitamin B deficiency due to medication
The following medications can reduce vitamin B12 absorption: antacid or stomach-protecting medications (e.g., acid blockers, gastric protectors), blood sugar-lowering medications (e.g., metformin), cholesterol and blood pressure-lowering medications, hormone preparations (including contraceptives), medications for heart rhythm disorders (e.g., beta blockers), heartburn and inflammation (e.g., antibiotics). 

4. Alcohol consumption
The breakdown of alcohol not only stresses the stomach and liver, but also requires a lot of vitamin B12. Drinking alcohol often severely impairs vitamin B12 absorption. 

5. Gastrointestinal diseases and digestive disorders
Another, but equally common, cause of vitamin B deficiency is a disease of the digestive tract, such as inflammation of the intestinal mucosa or disturbed intestinal flora. Specifically, diseases such as Crohn's disease and Helicobacter pylori infection can also interfere with absorption.  

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Many supplements have focused on compensating for vitamin B12 deficiency, as it is rarely adequately absorbed in today's diets.

Vitamin B12 is stored by the body in the liver and can therefore bridge a temporary lack of intake well. Since our body has a relatively large vitamin B12 reserve store, therefore, even in cases of chronic vitamin B12 deficiency, a deficiency is developed only gradually and insidiously.

Initial and seemingly insignificant symptoms such as fatigue, exhaustion, headaches, loss of appetite, pallor, diarrhea, susceptibility to infections or mood swings are often not noticed or attributed to other causes. Only with the onset of severe symptoms such as depression, dementia, coldness, numbness or tingling of the limbs, sleep disturbances, anemia, paralysis or coordination disorders, is a vitamin B12 deficiency diagnosed.