Vitamins are essential towards regulating many of the body’s activities. As human beings grow older, it becomes more difficult to absorb some minerals and vitamins, which could lead to disorders such as poor immunity and reduced hemoglobin concentration. This could in turn worsen problems such as brain dysfunction, nerve damage and deterioration of intestinal function. Vitamin B12 is particularly important in the promotion of producing healthy red blood cells, in improving energy production and nerve conduction.
When taking vitamin B12 supplements, it’s important to understand the rationale behind using it so as to get the best possible outcome from the supplement.
Sources of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is mainly found in dairy products, cereals, fish, lamb, pork and poultry. One of the essential ways of ensuring enough vitamin B12 intake is by diversifying one’s diet, instead of only relying on a narrow list of foods for sustenance. The Discovery Village at Southlake retirement community is dedicated towards providing excellent holistic care for our guests through various exclusive senior living programs such as Dimensions Health and Fitness and Sensations Dining. Our team members are trained to provide extra services to guests who might need them, such as assisted dining to ensure that they are well-nourished.
Benefits of Vitamin B12 for Seniors
Vitamin B12 is key to maintaining one’s mental and physical health. This is because the vitamin ensures proper brain function, nerve cell conduction and formation of red blood cells. Vitamin B12 also aids in metabolism homeostasis. Another important fact is that lack of Vitamin B12 has been associated with cognitive dysfunction in the form of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Ensuring that your intake of the vitamin is optimal therefore reduces the risk of getting severe forms of these conditions. A deficiency in Vitamin B12 usually results in one feeling dizzy and lethargic, and can also lead to changes in sensations known as paresthesia.
Recommended Vitamin B12 Doses
For seniors, the recommended doses of vitamin B12 depend on several factors including the presence of any underlying conditions. In the case of anemia, for instance, one would need more vitamin B12 supplementation compared to an individual who is relatively healthy. For severe cases, a high dose of vitamin B12 is recommended, usually around 1g daily. For vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, a dosage of 500mg per day is recommended for reversal. Rather than assuming a standard dose for all seniors, it’s more effective to have your needs assessed first, after which the recommended dose can be decided. This way, you will not end up taking too little or too much of the vitamin for your good.
Discovery Village at Southlake can Help Maintain your Vitamin B12 Levels
Choosing Discovery Village at South Lake has many health benefits including access to Dimensions Health and Fitness program which is tailored to ensure that you are always fit and healthy. Our team members are highly skilled and will help you not only figure out what dose of Vitamin B12 to take but can also assist you in other ways including reminding you to take the medication at the right time each day. Contact us to find out more about how living in our community can help boost your overall health.
