Vitamin B12 FORTE 500 µg Methylcobalamin 60 Capsules

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 realizing it. Vitamin B12 deficiency is particularly common, as this vitamin can only be obtained from animal products compared to the other B vitamins. B vitamins are mainly contained in pulses, cereals or animal products and are ideally absorbed sufficiently 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 very balanced diet and even then it should be noted that many B vitamins are 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 the vitamin B12 content, 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?

• Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and biotin contribute to normal energy metabolism and the normal functioning of the nervous system.
• Vitamin B1, B3, B6, B12, folic acid and biotin contribute to normal mental function.
• Vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6, B12 and folic acid contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
• Vitamin B6 and B12 contribute to normal homocysteine metabolism.
• Vitamin B2, B6 and B12 contribute to the normal formation of red blood cells.
• 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?

Does one of the following points apply to you, you are probably affected by a vitamin B and/or vitamin B12 deficiency:

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

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

3. You take certain medications such as gastric acid inhibitors or blood sugar-lowering medication

4. You drink alcohol regularly

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

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

2. A diet with little or no animal products
As we cannot produce vitamin B12 ourselves, we are dependent on a constant supply of vitamin B12 through food. It is only found 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: gastric acid inhibitors or stomach-protecting medication (e.g. acid blockers, stomach protectors), blood sugar-lowering medication (e.g. metformin), cholesterol and blood pressure reducers, hormone preparations (including contraceptives), medication for heart rhythm disorders (e.g. beta blockers), heartburn and inflammation (e.g. antibiotics). 

4. Alcohol consumption
The breakdown of alcohol not only puts a strain on the stomach and liver, but also requires a lot of vitamin B12. The absorption of vitamin B12 is often severely impaired by the consumption of alcohol. 

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

Vitamin B12 deficiency

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

Vitamin B12 is stored by the body in the liver and can therefore bridge a temporary deficiency. As our body has a relatively large vitamin B12 reserve, a deficiency only develops gradually and insidiously, even in the case of a chronic vitamin B12 deficiency.

Initial and seemingly insignificant symptoms such as tiredness, exhaustion, headaches, loss of appetite, pallor, diarrhoea, susceptibility to infections or mood swings are often not noticed or attributed to other causes. A vitamin B12 deficiency is only diagnosed when severe symptoms such as depression, dementia, coldness, numbness or tingling of the limbs, sleep disorders, anemia, paralysis or coordination disorders occur.