Why is vitamin B12 so dangerous?

As a doctor, I thought I knew everything there was to know about vitamins and their importance for our overall health. That is until my friend educated me about Vitamin B12 and how moderation is key when it comes to its consumption.

It all started when we were at a dinner party, and I was piling my plate with a generous serving of liver, a known source of Vitamin B12. My friend, who works at a popular health company, quickly stopped me and said, "Whoa, slow down there, doctor. Don't you know that too much Vitamin B12 can actually be harmful?"

I was taken aback. I had always heard that vitamins were good for us, and more was always better. But my friend explained to me that while this may be true for most vitamins, Vitamin B12 is a bit different. Being a water-soluble vitamin, our bodies can only absorb so much of it and the excess is excreted through our urine.

I was curious to know more. She told me that excess B12 in the body can lead to various side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and even nerve problems. And while it's rare to have too much B12 from food sources, it's more common to experience these side effects from taking supplements.

Of course, I had to ask her why Vitamin B12 is still considered important for our health if it can be harmful in excess. And that's when she explained the significant role this little vitamin plays in our body. Vitamin B12 is essential for the production of red blood cells, DNA synthesis, and nerve function. It also helps keep our energy levels up and our mood stable.

I had never thought about the potential risks of too much Vitamin B12, and I realized that I had been advising my patients to take supplements without considering their overall dietary intake.

My friend then shared with me some tips on how to ensure we are getting enough B12 without going overboard. Firstly, she recommended incorporating fortified foods such as cereals, plant-based milk, and nutritional yeast into our diets. These foods provide a good amount of B12 without the risk of overconsumption.

She also emphasized the importance of getting our B12 levels checked regularly, especially for vegetarians and vegans who may have a harder time getting enough from plant-based sources.

In the end, I was grateful to my friend for educating me about the importance of moderation when it comes to Vitamin B12. It was a lesson that I will now pass on to my patients and friends, and hopefully, they will do the same.

Source: quora.com by Avast Erogon