Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin that is not stored in the body, so it is important that we are continually meeting our body's needs for it. It is one of eight essential B vitamins, and is key in many of the body's metabolism functions. It is also a key nutrient needed for energy production in the body.

Vitamin B12 plays a very important role in the formation of red blood cells and the utilization of iron, thus it has a major job in preventing anemia. Other roles of Vitamin B12 include: aiding digestion, absorbtion of food and nutrients, synthesis of protein, metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, aiding cell life, maintaining fertility, growth, development and protection of the fatty sheaths of nerve endings and assisting memory, learning and sleep.

Deficiencies in Vitamin B12 may include: fatigue, bone loss, abnormal gait, depression, digestive disorders, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, liver problems, eye diseases, hallucinations, headaches, memory loss, learning disabilities, nervousness, irritability, nerve damage, heart palpitations, anemia, ringing in the ears and spinal cord degeneration just to name a few.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is typically caused by malabsorption of nutrients stemming from digestive disorders or narrow diets. For many people, vitamin B12 is mainly obtained through the consumption of animal tissues. Additional sources of B12 are found in brewer's yeast, clams, eggs, dairy products, liver, kidney, seafood and sea vegetables. A few herbs contain B12 as well, alfalfa, bladderwrack and hops.