Cwith the arrival of the first cold and with the pandemic in progress, it is necessary to strengthen the immune defenses to the maximum. To achieve this goal, a valid help comes from vitamin B12, which strengthens the immune system, in particular white blood cells, used in fighting viruses, bacteria and cancer cells.
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Vitamin B12: what it is for
«It is a precious water-soluble vitamin and, as such, cannot be accumulated inside the body but must be introduced every day in adequate quantities through the diet. It plays a fundamental role: it acts in the bone marrow, helping to generate immune cells, red blood cells, white blood cells and protects the brain and circulatory system, helping to keep nerve cells healthy. A marked deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause neuromuscular symptoms, muscle weakness that generates apathy and sedentary lifestyle, sarcopenia (progressive reduction of lean muscle mass) with alteration of posture. Vitamin B12 has a protective effect against the loss of lean muscle mass over the years. It is needed to synthesize DNA, the genetic material found in all cells. And, last but not least, it is good for skin and hair ”, explains the Professor Pier Luigi Rossi, Specialist in Food Science and in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine and lecturer at the University of Bologna, Catholic University of Rome, University of Sassari.
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Vitamin B12 on the table
«In general, it is present in all foods of animal origin, such as fish, red meat, white meat, crustaceans, eggs and dairy products. Instead, it is absent in the plant world. Precisely for this reason, those who adopt a vegetarian, or even more vegan, diet should pay particular attention to its levels. Furthermore, one of its characteristics intervenes to favor the lack of vitamin B12: it is thermolabile. Consequently it is compromised in its chemical structure when exposed to heat », continues the expert.
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