Sup, iam Carol Neff, Don’t overdo it!
Hey there! You may have heard that B12 is an important nutrient for your body, but did you know that it needs something called intrinsic factor to be absorbed? Intrinsic factor is a glycoprotein produced in the stomach and helps your body absorb B12. Without it, you can’t get the full benefits of this essential vitamin. So let’s take a closer look at why intrinsic factor is so important for B12 absorption.
Why Does B12 Need Intrinsic Factor? [Solved]
Well, IF is the key to absorbing B12. It’s released by cells in the stomach and if there’s not enough of it, the intestine can’t do its job. Bottom line: no IF, no B12 absorption.
Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that plays a key role in many bodily functions, including the production of red blood cells and the maintenance of nerve cells. It is found naturally in animal products such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
Intrinsic Factor: Intrinsic factor is a protein produced by the stomach that binds to vitamin B12 and helps it be absorbed into the bloodstream. Without intrinsic factor, vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed properly and can lead to deficiencies over time.
Deficiency Symptoms: A deficiency in vitamin B12 can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, confusion or memory loss, depression or irritability.
Treatment Options: If you are deficient in vitamin B12 due to lack of intrinsic factor production from your stomach lining then you may need to take supplements or receive injections of vitamin B12 directly into your bloodstream for proper absorption and utilization by your body’s cells
B12 is an essential vitamin that our bodies need, and it requires something called intrinsic factor to be absorbed properly. Without it, you won’t get the full benefits of B12, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough of this special factor.
