In November, the U.S. Air Force's B-21 bomber took its first flight. It promises to be the stealthiest aircraft yet.

Vitamin B12 is just as powerful — and sneaky. The vitamin is known for its role in maintaining nerve function, red blood cell production, and helping with DNA synthesis.

Now it appears to be essential in the battle against aging.

A study in the journal Nature Metabolism outlines the ability of B12 to boost cellular reprogramming and tissue regeneration and repair in lab mice. Cellular reprogramming allows for epigenetic changes to DNA to be erased, returning the genes to their younger (and hopefully healthier) selves.

And tissue regeneration and repair helps battle erosion caused by less-than-ideal lifestyle choices.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to fatigue, memory problems, depression, and even dementia, according to Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health. And most people over age 50 have trouble absorbing B12, so they require supplementation with a methylcobalamin B12 tablet that melts under your tongue.

You can get a good supply of B12 from eating fish, poultry (skinless), fortified yeast and cereals, enriched soy milk, and low-fat or no-fat dairy. The recommended daily intake for men and women ages 14 and older is 2.4 micrograms daily.

Half a cup of drained sardines delivers 277% of your recommended daily value for B12. A bit more than 6 ounces of salmon contains 208%.