Why Do We Need Vitamin B12?

Signs & Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency:
Fatigue
Shortness of breath.
Diarrhea
Nervousness, moodiness.
Loss of balance
Memory difficulties.
Confusion
Numbness and tingling of the fingers and toes.
Pernicious anemia
Pale skin.

Vitamin B12 has been shown to be beneficial in the following conditions:
Pernicious anemia
Elevated homocysteine levels, in combination with other B vitamins.
Burns, in combination with other vitamins
Osteoporosis, in combination with other vitamins.
Cataract prevention, in combination with other vitamins
Male infertility.
Alzheimer disease
Neuropathy.
Depression
Macrocytic anemias.

Prescription Drugs That Deplete Vitamin B12:
Proton pump inhibitors (Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix, Aciphex, Nexium)
Antacids and other stomach acid lowering medications.
Chemotherapy drugs, especially methotrexate.
Metformin (Glucophage) for diabetes.
Barbiturates, such as Phenobarbital
Phenytoin (Dilantin).

Laboratory testing for Vitamin B12:
Serum assays
Homocysteine.
Methylmalonic acid
Leukocyte functional assays.

Vitamin B12 Food Sources:
Fish, dairy products, organ meats such as liver and kidney, eggs, beef, and pork.