(HealthDay News) -- Vitamin B-12 is an essential vitamin that's found in dairy foods and many types of meat. It plays a role in the health of your nervous system and in the production of red blood cells.

The American Academy of Family Physicians says here are the possible health consequences of a vitamin B-12 deficiency:

• Dementia.
• Depression.
• Anemia.
• Nervous system abnormalities.
• Possible increased risk of heart disease and stroke, if you also have above normal levels of an amino acid called homocysteine.

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