Structural details of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an important component in the overall health and well-being for each of us. A recent study (Homocysteine and holotranscobalamin and the risk of Alzheimer disease: a longitudinal study) suggests that there may be a correlation between Alzheimer’s Disease and low Vitamin B12 blood serum levels. As such, I feel it’s vitally important that we each ensure that we’re getting adequate amounts of this vitamin in our diet.
Good sources of Vitamin B12 are:
- Liver (from organic calf)
- Wild salmon
- Beef (organic, grass-fed)
- Lamb
- Eggs (organic, free-range)
It’s important to note that the only naturally occurring source of Vitamin B12 is animal-based. Some authorities claim that Vitamin B12 can be sourced from plants, but it is crucial to understand that these plant-based sources are actually Vitamin B12 analogs. B12 analogs bind to the B12 receptors and actually block uptake of Vitamin B12 itself. This increases your need for B12.
This issue of analogs is important. Those who adhere to a low-meat/no-meat diet are at risk of getting insufficient Vitamin B12, regardless of their intention of taking in plant-sourced forms. The only way a low-meat or strict vegetarian diet can be assured of adequate Vitamin B12 blood serum levels is to take a natural Vitamin B12 dietary supplement.
Insufficient blood serum levels of this vitamin have been linked to blindness and brain abnormalities. Personally, I consider Alzheimer’s to be exactly the latter. Protect yourself.
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