According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, B12 plays a key role in: Making red blood cells and preventing megaloblastic anemia Maintaining healthy nerve function and the myelin sheath that protects nerves DNA synthesis Supporting brain function and preventing cognitive decline Converting food into energy (cellular metabolism) Because B12 is found almost exclusively in animal products meat, fish, dairy, and eggs certain groups of people are at much higher risk of deficiency than others
Activation of Sirtuin Pathways (SIRT1) Sirtuins are a family of proteins that regulate metabolism, inflammation, and cellular aging
A vitamin B12 deficiency can be treated with injections known as vitamin B12 shots or b12 infusions, especially if the persons body has trouble absorbing the vitamin
The resulting increase in intracellular NAD+ availability activates sirtuins particularly SIRT1, which regulates insulin sensitivity, gluconeogenesis, cholesterol synthesis, and fatty acid oxidation, and SIRT3, which governs mitochondrial antioxidant defences and energy metabolism