Why is Vitamin B12 Important for our Body

Vitamin B12 is one of the eight B vitamins. This water-soluble vitamin is also known as cobalamin and is the most structurally complex vitamin among the B vitamins. This vitamin is very important for the functioning of the nervous system and proper formulation of the red blood cells.

One of the important things to be known about Vitamin B12 is that it is not created in the body. The requirement of the vitamin has to be fulfilled by taking foods rich in this vitamin. It is naturally found in animal products such as animal liver and kidneys, fishes like tuna, sardines and trout, milk, cheese and eggs. For plant foods, this vitamin is not generally present in them but there are a lot of foods fortified with vitamin B12.

While for people who consume animal-based products, the vitamin is likely to be sufficient in the body. But for vegans, it is very necessary that they make a conscious effort to intake the required amount of B12 for the body as their diet might not be providing them with a sufficient quantity of B12. It could be the case that your vegan diet might be fortified with B12, but being a vegan it is necessary that you assure that your food is fortified. Furthermore, vegans should also consider taking supplements to meet the daily requirement of B12.

However, it is not only vegans who are at risk of B12 deficiency. Along with your age, your body’s capacity to absorb the vitamin can decrease. Older people have reduced secretion of hydrochloric acid which reduces the absorption of vitamin B12. People who have performed weight loss surgery are also at the risk of the deficiency. Health conditions that can cause the deficiency include Atrophic gastritis, Pernicious anaemia, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, Graves' disease and lupus.

Just like every other vitamin, it is necessary that the body has a sufficient amount of the vitamins in the body. Deficiency of the amount can lead to a number of health complications.

The reason for people to be conscious of their daily requirement of this vitamin is that the long term deficiency of B12 has the potential to cause severe damage to the brain and nervous system. As vitamin B12 is crucial to the formation of red blood cells in the body, the deficiency of the vitamin can cause anaemia. When there are not enough red blood cells to transport oxygen in the body, the person can feel tired and fatigued. Other effects of the lack of red blood cells include increased heart rate and shortness of breath.

Vitamin B12 has an important role to play in the synthesis of myelin, which serves as an insulating cover to shield the nerve cells and helps in transmitting sensations. With the lack of this cover, the nerve cells are more prone to damage. People with this deficiency can suffer from tingling hands and feet. Furthermore, it can also create difficulty in movement. The deficiency of Vitamin B12 is also associated with decreased serotonin production in the body, which can lead to depression.

What is Colon Cleansing?

Also known as the large intestine, the colon is one of the most important organs of the digestive system. Cleansing of this part of the digestive system is very crucial to good health. This practice of cleaning has been around since ancient Greece.

However, there are debates regarding whether this cleaning process should be done manually for improving the system or the digestive system automatically eliminates unnecessary materials from the body. And, there are no widespread researches to completely prove the benefits of colon cleansing by taking different supplements.

Nonetheless, some of the methods of colon cleansing are claimed to be beneficial for the body regarding issues such as irregular bowel movements or constipation and it is also believed that this process can reduce the risk of colon cancer. Other benefits assumed by the practitioners of colon cleansing include better digestion, increase in energy, weight loss. But, as stated earlier, there lacks sufficient studies to validate the advantages.

However, it is also important to be aware of the side effects of the colon cleansing process. Some of the natural ways of colon cleansing include drinking six to eight glasses of lukewarm water every day or eating food such as watermelons, cucumber, lettuce which are rich in high in water content. Foods that are rich in fiber can help to maintain a healthy colon too. Other methods include taking herbal teas, adding probiotics to your food, or increasing the consumption of resistant starches.

Another method of colon cleansing includes buying products that aid in the process if you do not want to go by the natural way of the cleansing colon. These supplements can be either taken by mouth or through the rectum. The supplements can include enemas, enzymes, magnesium, and laxatives, among others.

One of the supplements that work in the cleansing of the colon is Colosan powder. This bowel management tool oxidizes and cleanses the colon with oxygen. The Colosan powder helps in removing the putrefaction in the colon and increases the consumption of the nutrients in the colon. The oxygen released with the consumption of the power with abundant water removes the undesirable waste accumulated in the digestive tract and maintains a healthy digestive system. Colon cleansing can also be done through colon irrigation by colonic hygienists or colon hydrotherapists. This process involves flushing gallons of water in your rectum through a tube by using a low-pressure pump or a gravity-based reservoir. Along with the water, unnecessary fluids and waste will be excreted from your body.

It should be noted that colon cleansing is a very delicate process and it should be done with proper instruction. Some of the potential risks of the colon cleansing process, whether natural or by using supplements include the removal of fluids and subsequently leading to dehydration. The process can also create an imbalance of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. Other effects include nausea, vomiting, cramping, among others. So, it is highly advisable to consult the doctor first before opting for any of the above methods.