Vitamin B12is used by the body for several different purposes.
Our bodies need vitamin B12 to function properly and especially to make more red blood cells.
Some of the things vitamin B12 does include:
What Is Vitamin B12?
Thomas Barwick / Getty Images
Who Is at Risk For Low Vitamin B12?
This includes Crohn’s disease and celiac disease.This could also occur with people who have bariatric surgery.
Forpeople who can’t absorb enough vitamin B12 in the intestine, an injection of B12 might be needed.
In some cases, certain patients are given the B12 injections to give to themselves at home.
Food Sources
For those who need supplements, food might not provide enough B12.
However, most people are able to get their vitamin B12 needs to be met through foods.
2019;58.(2.):295-301.
2022;28(1):240.
Published 2022 Dec 28. doi:10.3390/molecules28010240
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Vitamin B12-Deficiency Anemia.
2018;3:CD004655.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004655.pub3
Langan RC, Goodbred AJ.Vitamin b12 deficiency: recognition and management.Am Fam Physician.
2017;96(6):384-389.
2021;13(4):1254.
Published 2021 Apr 11. doi:10.3390/nu13041254
MedlinePlus.Pernicious anemia.
National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus.Vitamin B12.
2014;144(6):915-920. doi: 10.3945/jn.113.190256
Office of Dietary Supplements.
“Vitamin B12:Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.”
National Institutes of Health.