Youth Juice on the B-12 and B-7 train

Vitamin B 12 is a necessary nutrient for the human body which can be obtained by various natural sources.  It is an interesting vitamin as the human body stores the element for years and is slowly released when necessary for the body to function.  The good part about this storage of B 12 is that it is very rare to have a B 12 deficiency.  This vitamin is also used in conjunction with the other seven B vitamins to create the Vitamin B Group Complex.

Sources of B12

The B 12 vitamin can be consumed through many sources, which include natural and supplemental ways.  B 12 is most commonly found in meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk and other dairy products.  For vegetarians, B 12 may be difficult to find in natural food sources especially if the vegetarian is a vegan.  In this case, it is absolutely necessary to consume multivitamin supplements with b12 to ensure that this nutrient is incorporated into his or her dietary needs.

Results of B12 Deficiencies

Even though a B12 deficiency is extremely rare to come by, there are a few people such as vegans who may suffer from the affects.  Older people are also at risk of B12 deficiencies.  Illnesses that coincide with this vitamin B deficiency include the following symptoms and diseases: muscle weakness, ataxia, problems with their vision, hypotension, psychoses, dementia, spasticity and anemia.  Vitamin B12 supplements are recommended for women who are pregnant, people with medical problems such as hemorrhages, kidney disease, thyrotoxisis, malignancy, liver disease and hemolytic anemia, elderly people and vegans.

Vitamin B12 Functions

Vitamin B 12 is pertinent to one’s diet because it helps the body perform various activities needed for human survival.  One of the basic and necessary functions of B 12 is its involvement in the metabolism of every type of cell that exists in the human body.  B 12 is also capable of regenerating the folate levels in the body. Vitamin B also helps the nervous system and the brain to function on a normal basis.  Many researchers have been trying to link low amounts of B 12 to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia since B12 helps to drastically keep the brain functioning normally. This vitamin also affects DNA Synthesis and regulation and creating blood in the body.

Vitamin B7 makes up one eight of the Vitamin B group Complex.  B 7 is also referred to as biotin and it is an important nutrient for the human body.  It is also commonly referred to as Vitamin H and it is a water soluble vitamin.  This means that this vitamin must be replenished every day since it is dispersed through the bloodstream and any excess of this vitamin in the human body will be released through the urine.

The Role of Biotin in the Human Organism

Biotin may not be the most popular vitamin that you hear about but it does not mean that it should be pushed to the side as it has various essential roles that it plays in the human organism.  Some of these roles include metabolizing different nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.  Another crucial role that Biotin (B7) possesses is processing glucose.  The interesting part of biotin’s role in the metabolism process is that it can actually help you to feel more energized, less lethargic and feeling good about yourself.

With healthy amounts of biotin in your system, you will have the energy needed to lead a healthy life with exercise.  You will also be able to avoid metabolism problems that are created with low levels of biotin.  When you have low levels of B7 and your metabolism decreases, this may lead to gaining weight and feelings of depression and sluggishness.  But this is not the only difference you will see.

The Differences With and Without Biotin

When the human body does not have enough biotin flowing through its system everyday the exterior of the body becomes noticeably different.  With lower levels of biotin, you may experience weight gain, brittle and lackluster hair, skin problems and weak nails.  However, with an increased amount of biotin in your diet or with multivitamins, you will begin to see a change in your weight, clearer skin and healthier hair and nails.

Sources of Biotin

Now that you now the difference between having healthy levels of biotin in the body, where do you get it from?  One of the best sources of biotin is through a multivitamin pill.  However, if you want to go the all natural route, you may be able to find ample amounts of vitamin B7 in the following foods: egg yolks, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, milk, fish and poultry.