Food source: B-12 itself is a whole food, Chlorella, micro-algaes, Red Star brand Vegetarian Support Formula Nutritional Yeast, B-12 fortitfied non-daily milks, meat analogs and cereals.
Functions: Helps in the formation & regeneration of red blood cells, thus helping prevent anemia; necessary for carbohydrate, protein & fat metabolism; maintains a healthy nervous system; promotes growth in children; increases energy; needed for calcium absorption.
Deficiency: May lead to pernicious anemia, growth failure in children, poor appetite, tiredness, brain damage, nervousness, neuritis, degeneration of spinal cord, depression, lack of balance.