The Role of Vitamin B12 As a Nutrient – Usages, Doses, and Benefits

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Sufficient levels of vitamin B12 are not always obtained from peoples diets due to trouble absorbing the vitamin. This can be age-related, many elderly people are vitamin B12 deficient because their bodies struggle to absorb B12. Other conditions that can affect absorption rate are weight loss, surgery, heavy drinking, and lacking intrinsic factors in the intestine. Having a B12 deficiency can cause a myriad of health problems that can, in turn, be treated by supplementing vitamin B12 as a nutrient.

Vitamin B12 Usages and Dosage

Supplements – Vitamin B12 is taken orally for pernicious anemia, a condition in which there are not enough healthy red blood cells. In addition, vitamin B12 can be supplemented to slow ageing, boost mood, energy production, concentration, treat memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease and support the immune system. Below are other conditions treated with vitamin B12 in oral supplement form.

• Heart Disease – clogged arteries, high triglyceride levels, high homocysteine levels
• Male Infertility
• Diabetes – also nerve damage due to diabetes
• Mental Disorders – depression, schizophrenia
• Osteoporosis
• Asthma
• Skin Conditions

To be safe when using B12 to treat any condition, consult your doctor for correct dosages. However, here are some general guidelines for dosage.

• Infants up to age 6 months: 0.4 mcg
• Babies age 7-12 months: 0.5 mcg
• Children age 1-3 years: 0.9 mcg
• Kids age 4-8 years: 1.2 mcg
• Children age 9-13 years: 1.8 mcg
• Teens age 14-18: 2.4 mcg (2.6 mcg per day if pregnant and 2.8 mcg per day if breastfeeding)
• Adults: 2.4 mcg (2.6 mcg per day if pregnant and 2.8 mcg per day if breastfeeding)

Injections – Vitamin B12 is taken by injection for Lou Gehrig’s disease, multiple sclerosis, serious respiratory tract infections, COPD, and liver and kidney disease, among many others.

Inhalation by Vaping – A vitamin B12 vape can also be used to supplement your diet with B12, and using a B12 vitamin vape has its advantages. Each B12 vape pen contains 100’s of puffs and is sleek and slender to fit easily in your purse or pocket. In addition, some conditions are best treated by using a B12 vitamin vape over other ways to supplement your diet. For instance, breathing in B12 is used specifically as a treatment for canker sores.

Another advantage to using a B12 vape is that you receive the vitamin in small doses throughout the day, which maintains healthy energy levels and eliminates the chance of a larger dose being wasted by being flushed out of your system before it can be utilized.

Topical Creams and Oils – Vitamin B12 as a nutrient can be applied to the skin alone or with avocado oil for psoriasis and eczema. In addition, a B12 nasal gel can be applied for pernicious anemia and to prevent the vitamin B12 deficiency.

Preventing a vitamin B12 deficiency is crucial for your overall health, and vitamin B12 as a nutrient can also treat or prevent many serious health problems.