By Naturopath Dr. Magerus
Are you feeling tired, not recovering the way you used to or just don’t have the energy to do all you want to do? Consider an energy boosting nutrient called Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin.
Vitamin B12 has long been known for its health benefits. It is a water soluble vitamin that is found in the highest levels in meat, fish, milk and fortified processed foods. People who are vegetarian/vegan most likely do not get an adequate amount if they are not eating animal products. Even those consuming nutritional yeast do not give their bodies enough B12. The problem with recommending patients to consume more of these B12 containing foods is that these animal proteins and processed foods, with the exception of fish, are the ones that we want to decrease since they lead to increased inflammation, increased cholesterol and worsening of asthma and allergies.
B12 supplementation is available via oral tablets, sublingual drops and injections. Oral supplementation of vitamin B12 does not absorb very well overall and oral absorption decreases in most everyone as we age. Sublingual drops are better than oral tablets but the best way to know that you are getting the B12 you need is to take it via injection. Talk to your naturopathic physician about a good dosing schedule.
Signs of B12 deficiency can include fatigue, weakness, sore tongue, nerve pains, insomnia, depression, canker sores, easy bruising, numbness and tingling in hands or feet and memory problems. B12 deficiency has also been linked to migraine headaches and menstrual irregularities.
1. Recent research has shown that higher levels of Vitamin B12 protect against brain changes that happen with aging. People with higher B12 levels, even those without actual deficiency showed less age-related decline like dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
2. B12 is involved in the process that converts food into energy, this is why it gives people an energy boost. Without it, the food we eat is not able to be processed as efficiently for energy production leading to fatigue and even weight gain.
3. B12 also has an important role in forming new red blood cells and can cause an anemia if deficient. Anemia can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate and weakness.
4. B12 protects against heart disease by reducing homocysteine levels. Elevated levels of homocysteine increase cardiovascular risk by increasing atherosclerosis and hardened arteries.
5. B12 is a very important part of the covering of our nervous system, the myelin sheath. Having coverings helps our neurological system to work better which improves mood, memory, reaction time and just makes us feel better!