Vitamin B12 and iron are distinct but equally essential nutrients with different compositions and functions within the body.
A lack of vitamin B12 and iron are often brought up as potential causes of iron deficiency anemia. We know that vitamin B12 is crucial to maintaining optimal levels of iron in the body.
So does this mean that consuming more vitamin B12 can increase iron levels?
Unfortunately, the relation between these nutrients turned out to be a little more complicated than previously anticipated by science. However, once you understand the role both of them play within your body, things start to make a little more sense.
What Is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin. Unlike most other vitamins, it can be that can be stored by the body inside the liver. It is highly essential for red blood cell and DNA formation. It also plays a vital role in the development of brain and nerve cells.
Vitamin B12 is readily found in many of the foods we consume, such as meat, fish, milk, cheese, and eggs. A vitamin B12 deficiency is rare in developed countries, however it can occur due to poor abortion within the body or a vegetarian diet.
What Is Iron?
Iron is an essential mineral within the body and is needed for healthy blood levels. An average adult stores about 3 to 4 grams of iron in their body.
About two thirds of this iron exists in the form of a compound called heme. This heme iron then combines with protein to form the hemoglobin within your red blood cells.
The importance of proper iron levels in the body cannot be understated. Every cell in your body relies on the oxygen provided by hemoglobin for proper function. In fact, supplementing with iron alone can stabilize vitamin B12 and folate levels within the body.
The Role Of Vitamin B12 And Iron
Vitamin B12, folate and iron are the essential nutrients for the production of hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is a key protein within your red blood cells. It is responsible for delivering oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Without enough hemoglobin, your body simply cannot produce the red blood cells required for proper body functions.
We now know that vitamin B12 is needed for hemoglobin formation. Low levels of B12 can lead to low blood iron levels, resulting in anemia. Anemia caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency is often called macrocytic anemia or simply vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. The symptoms often include:
- A red and swollen tongue
- Pins and needles
- Disturbed vision
- Weak muscles
- Diarrhea
Macrocytic anemia should be diagnosed and treated immediately, as it can cause irreversible damage to the body’s nervous system.
Bottom Line
Although vitamin B12 does not directly increase your iron levels, both of them correlate when it comes to hemoglobin formation, which is the primary function of iron in the body. Iron, vitamin B12 and folate are all needed to form red blood cells. A deficiency in any one of these nutrients can lead to anemia.