What exactly is vitamin B12 and why do we need it?
Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that is found in our food and we need it to keep our nerve cells healthy and to keep our red blood cells at optimum efficiency. It is also extremely important for proper digestion; in fact, our stomach acids grab the B12 from food and mix it with IF, which is then easily absorbed by the intestinal tract.
If you have a vitamin B12 deficiency, you are likely to feel tired, lightheaded, and weak. You're gums may bleed and you will probably experience digestion problems such as diarrhea. You may feel tingling in your hands or feet, get out of breath easily, hear a ringing sound in your ears, have chest tightness, and develop neurological symptoms such as forgetfulness, a lack of ability to focus, and becoming easily confused.
Most people do not suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency, as it is readily available in a lot of different foods, but mostly meat, so sometimes vegetarians and vegans do not get enough B12 from their diets. If you do have a vitamin B12 deficiency, it's most likely due to some problems relating to the digestive system. For example, people with ongoing bouts of diarrhea, Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease are likely to have B12 anemia because of their inability to absorb the B12 they ingest.