Do you understand the role Vitamin B12 plays in your body?

I never understood the importance of B12 until a friend of mine was told he needed a B12 Shot. So, I did some research, here is what I found, and I thought it was interesting to share. Vitamin B12 is an essential water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in many functions in the body, including:

• DNA synthesis
• energy production
• nerve cell health
• red blood cell formation
• neurological function

B12 is present in many food sources (mainly animal-based), where it is bound to the protein molecules in that food.

Vitamin B12 is separated from the protein during digestion and is absorbed into the bloodstream.

Adequate stomach acid is required to release the vitamin from the protein, and a substance called intrinsic factor is necessary to ensure its absorption.

People who are unable to absorb vitamin B12 properly may have pernicious anemia, which is a type of anemia characterized by a lack of intrinsic factor.

The average daily intake of vitamin B12 is 2.4 micrograms (mcg) for men and women over 14. Pregnant and breastfeeding women require slightly more, at 2.6 mcg and 2.8 mcg, respectively.

People with signs and symptoms of B12 deficiency
Anyone who is displaying any of the signs and symptoms of a B12 deficiency or pernicious anemia should consult their doctor immediately.

Some common signs and symptoms include:
• decreased cognitive function, such as issues with memory or understanding
• fatigue
• lethargy
• constipation
• feeling faint
• depression or irritability
• headache
• difficulty maintaining balance
• sore, swollen tongue, which may be pale yellow or very red
• heart palpitations
• mouth ulcers
• paraesthesia (pins and needles)
• vision changes

B12 and Older Adults
Research suggests that vitamin B12 deficiency affects a greater number of older adults than those under the age of 65.

Older adults can be affected by conditions that are linked to a decrease in stomach acid production, including inflammation in the stomach (atrophic gastritis).

Furthermore, lower levels of stomach acid can encourage the growth of certain bacteria in the gut that uses B12, reducing the amount of the vitamin available to the body.

The Institute of Medicine recommends that adults over 50 meet their vitamin B12 needs with fortified foods, B12 shots, or other supplements, as these man-made forms appear to be more readily absorbed than naturally occurring B12.

B12 deficiency risk factors
Both diabetes and some medications for type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Also, the following risk factors can increase the chance of developing vitamin B12 deficiency:

• alcohol abuse
• smoking
• certain prescription medications, including antacids and some type 2 diabetes drugs
• having an endocrine-related autoimmune disorder, such as diabetes or a thyroid disorder
• eating a vegetarian or vegan diet
• certain gastrointestinal disorders, such as Crohn's disease
• gastric bypass or the removal of parts of the stomach
• aging

Drug interactions
Never start, stop or change your supplement routine, without checking you’re your doctor. Vitamin B12 may interact with certain medications. People must always inform their doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs they are taking before receiving a B12 shot.

Some commonly prescribed medications that may interact with B12 include:

• Aspirin
• antibiotics
• H2 receptor antagonists
• metformin
• oral contraceptives
• proton pump inhibitors

Allergy and medical conditions
Those who have allergies or medical conditions should always inform their doctor before receiving a B12 shot. Examples of allergies or conditions that may interact with B12 shots include:

• allergy to cyanocobalamin or cobalt
• hypokalemia (low potassium levels)
• kidney disease
• polycythemia vera (a rare blood disorder)
• Leber's disease (an eye disease)
• deficiencies in other nutrients, particularly folic acid and iron

There are several reasons to consider getting a B12 shot, including:

Reduced risk of vitamin B12 deficiency and associated complications

The most obvious benefit of receiving vitamin B12 shots is treating a vitamin B12 deficiency and avoiding its associated symptoms.

In addition, B12 shots reduce the risk of some serious complications associated with vitamin B12 deficiency including:

• heart disease
• neurocognitive disorders
• coordination problems (ataxia)
• peripheral neuropathy
• vision loss
• infertility (although this usually resolves with B12 treatment)
• neural tube defects in the babies of women with B12 deficiency
• High levels of assimilation by the body

Lack of empathy shows

In Britain, more than two million women born in the Fifties face having to work an extra six years before retiring after changes to their retirement age. Governments faced with decades of lack of planning and understanding of the issues facing them as Boomers get older are making bad decisions.  Many of our governments have a short term horizon, and they only see until the next election or not even that far. 

The recent changes in Britain have caused many problems and when asked about the fact many women will have to work an extra six years, a  Minister of the Crown said: “The reality is over 200,000 people over 60 have entered further education since 2014/15.

“We have also extended apprenticeship opportunities as one of the best routes to skilled employment for people of all ages and gender.”

The comments in a heated Westminster Hall debate triggered shouts of “Shame on You” from Labour and SNP MPs.

Campaigners slated the government for trying to push “Grannyships”.

Taking to social media, One woman wrote: “I’m 62, can I be a bricklayer?”

An outraged Old Age Pensioner added: ‘Perhaps I could have an apprenticeship as a hairdresser in a modern salon at the age of 64? I don’t think so.”

The Waspi Women – Women Against State Pension Inequality – want transitional arrangements put in place to help them after seeing their pension age rise from 60 to 66.

The increase follows two changes to the retirement age, one in 1995 and the other during the Coalition.  In my mind, the issue is not the change, but the speed of the change. 

Research shows that people do not start to plan for retirement until they are in their early to mid-fifties, and if the rules change without adequate warning then people become angry and stressed. The changes in  Britain were done to save money and without consultation or warning. 

As Boomers age around the world, there may be more of these dumb decisions by governments as they try to come to grips with decades of no or poor planning. As individuals, it becomes important to understand that the government will not be there for us when we retire, and we need to start our own planning and saving. The sooner the better.

How much do I need to retire?

I was talking to one of my friends who does volunteer work at a senior's centre in his town and I asked him what he was doing as a volunteer.  He said that he was doing income taxes for seniors who were had low income.  He told me that over 60% of seniors in BC only had Old Age Security and the Income Supplement and some Canada Pension so they were making less than $24. 000  a year. 

One of the questions a person in their early 50's needs to start asking is:

How much guaranteed income will you have when you retire? 

Financial security is increased when you have income that is guaranteed to continue no matter how long you live. Experts recommend that most people have enough guaranteed lifetime income to pay fixed, basic expenses. That reduces much of the stress and uncertainty of retirement, and it also makes some people more comfortable investing for higher returns with the rest of their nest eggs. 

Old Age Security and Canada Pension are the only inflation-indexed guaranteed lifetime income for most people. Don’t make a fast decision on when to receive Canada benefits. You have choices, and it’s important to optimise your Canada Pension decision, especially for married couples. The right choice can add tens of thousands of dollars of lifetime income. 

You should also consider buying additional guaranteed lifetime income through an immediate annuity or longevity annuity (also called a deferred income annuity) if you have saved up some capital to do this.

If you do not plan and put some money aside in addition to the Canada Pension you may find yourself in a situation where you only have enough to pay your fixed basic expenses. 

Security is most;u a superstition

Helen Keller said:, "Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of humans as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."

Think about her first words, "Security is mostly a superstition."

Let that sink in.

Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure.

So... what outright exposure are you willing to embrace this week?  

What's your daring adventure going to be?