Vitamin B12 is one of the important micronutrients that play an essential role in human activities.
However, according to Dr. Priyanka Sehrawat, general practitioner at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, vitamin B12 deficiency is especially common in people who are vegetarians. The main reason is that plants cannot synthesize this vitamin.
Dr. Sehrawat explains that plants do not need vitamin B12 for life, so they do not possess the enzyme structures needed to create this nutrient.
This makes a plant-based diet naturally deficient in B12, while the human body requires this vitamin for many vital functions.
According to experts, there are three reasons why B12 is especially important. First, vitamin B12 is directly involved in the formation of red blood cells and maintains normal hemoglobin levels.
B12 deficiency leads to the risk of anemia, prolonged fatigue, and decreased endurance. Second, B12 is necessary for the synthesis of DNA, genetic material that determines the functioning of all cells in the body. Prolonged deficiency can affect cell division and regeneration.
More importantly, vitamin B12 plays a key role in nerve health. The nerve fibers in the body are covered with a layer of myelin that helps convey signals quickly and accurately.
B12 is a necessary element for the formation of this shell. When B12 is deficient, the nervous system can be damaged, causing numbness, loss of feeling or impaired cognitive function.
Dr. Sehrawat adds that because plants use other enzyme pathways to maintain cell activity, they do not produce B12, which results in the nutrient content in plant-based foods being almost insignificant.
Therefore, vegetarians should supplement B12 through fortified foods or tablets according to medical instructions.
Dr. Priyanka Sehrawat emphasizes that proactively checking and maintaining appropriate B12 levels is necessary to protect the nervous system and overall health, especially for people who follow a long-term vegan diet.
(The article is for reference only, not a replacement for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor if you have health questions).
