Vitamin B12 is one of the essential nutrients that our body requires. We use this vitamin to make blood cells and maintain a healthy nervous system. Therefore vitamin B12 deficiency could potentially result in anemia or deficiency of red blood cells.

Those eating a balanced diet tend to get adequate levels of vitamin B12. However, if you follow a restrictive diet and eliminate animal products such as meat and dairy, you may be at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency. This includes ivegetarian or vegan eating patterns. In that case, you need to pay extra attention to your diet and ensure that you include milk alternatives, including fortified soy, almond and rice beverage, fortified breakfast cereals, and meat substitutes. Same goes for seniors who are also found to be at higher risk for vitamin B12 deficiency.

If you think you are getting an excessive amount of vitamin B12, don’t be worried! Vitamin B12 is water soluble and excess amounts get eliminated in your urine – just make sure you are not overdosing on vitamin B12 supplements.