Vitamin B12 is important for healthy nerve and blood cells, as well as for making DNA. This eMedTV resource explores other benefits of this vitamin, explains what forms it comes in, and discusses the effectiveness of this product.
Vitamin B12 is clearly beneficial for treating a deficiency. As this article from the eMedTV Web site explains, there are other claimed vitamin B12 benefits as well, including the treatment of allergies, diabetes, and infertility.
Potential vitamin B12 side effects include diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and blood clots in the legs. As this eMedTV Web page explains, however, side effects are uncommon (even reported side effects are not clearly linked to vitamin B12 use).
Vitamin B12 is useful for treating a vitamin deficiency, but does vitamin B12 work for other conditions? This eMedTV segment lists other possible uses and explores the effectiveness of vitamin B12 for these various claimed benefits.
The recommended vitamin B12 dosage is based on which form you are taking and why you need the vitamin. This eMedTV article lists the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for vitamin B12 for general supplementation purposes.
Medicines that may cause vitamin B12 drug interactions include metformin, chloramphenicol, and folic acid. This eMedTV resource lists other drugs that may interact with vitamin B12 and describes the problems that may occur if an interaction occurs.
Since vitamin B12 contains the metal cobalt, people with cobalt sensitivity or allergy should not take it. This eMedTV page covers other important vitamin B12 safety warnings and precautions, and explains what problems may occur with this supplement.
Vitamin B12 has a low risk for toxicity, even if taken at high doses. This page from the eMedTV archives further discusses the risk of vitamin B12 toxicity and lists potential side effects that may occur with the supplement.
A vitamin B12 overdose is unlikely to cause problems, as the vitamin is a fairly non-toxic substance. This eMedTV article explores the possible effects of an overdose and explains what treatments (if necessary) are available.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance of vitamin B12 is higher for pregnant women. This eMedTV resource contains more information on vitamin B12 and pregnancy, including an explanation of why pregnant women have an increased need for this vitamin.
Breastfeeding women have an even higher need for vitamin B12 than pregnant women. This eMedTV Web page offers a more in-depth look at vitamin B12 and breastfeeding, and explains why this vitamin is important for nursing mothers.
Potential signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency include weight loss, anemia, and weakness. This eMedTV segment lists other potential symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency and explains who is at a higher risk for developing this problem.
