Vitamin B12 is part of the B vitamins recommended for daily intake for humans. Vitamin B12 is available as an inexpensive supplement, in addition to many food sources. Vitamin B12 is necessary for body balance, as it plays a large role in having a healthy central nervous system and the production of DNA. It also plays a role in producing red blood cells and boosting energy levels.

Without enough B12, the body risks developing a condition known as pernicious anemia, where the body cannot produce enough red blood cells. Those who are deficient in vitamin B12 may suffer from loss of memory, difficulty concentrating, and difficulty sleeping. Vitamin B12 regulates the release of melatonin in the body, the chemical responsible for inducing sleep, therefore allowing the body to have more restful and restorative sleep cycles, waking up feeling more energized and productive. In addition to melatonin release, it works with serotonin receptors in the brain to produce an overall calm feeling, to reduce to the stress levels in the body.

Sufficient Vitamin B12 levels may help to prevent age-related loss of vision and decrease the the risk for heart disease. It helps to promote normal growth and development. For children with asthma, a weekly injection or daily oral dosage has been known to reduce the frequency of shortness of breath. Research indicates that sufficient levels of vitamin B12 are not often found in those suffering from HIV, and when the levels are increased to normal, the replications of the virus are reduced.

For adults over age 50, vitamin B food sources are not the best method for absorbing the vitamin, even though the vitamin plays a role in the absorption and digestion, the ability to absorb it naturally decreases as the body ages. It is recommended that adults take the vitamin in the form of an oral supplement to ensure proper levels of the vitamin are absorbed.

Buying the right vitamin B12 supplement may be overwhelming or confusing for some, because some supplements are not what they claim to be. Consult your doctor for the best advice on how to ensure you're getting the right supplement, as he or she may be able to recommend injections.

Perhaps the best thing about vitamin B12 is that an overdose is not going to hurt anyone. The body will store it for future use. It is one of the few things the body cannot overdose on.