If you’re looking for a healthier energy booster instead of coffee or energy drinks, Vitamin B12 can help increase your metabolism and productivity naturally.

Vitamin B12 is one of eight B vitamins and contains the element cobalt. It is water-soluble which means the body releases what it doesn’t use. B12’s main job is to maintain healthy nerve cells, support proper brain function, and assist in DNA and RNA production. B12 is found naturally in a variety of foods including meat, fish and dairy products. B12 is involved in the metabolism of every cell in the human body. 

Vitamin B12 Major Functions

• DNA Synthesis – influences cell division and blood formation
• Energy Metabolism – supports energy production in the mitochondria
• Lipid Metabolism – builds cell membrane and protects central nervous system 
• Neurotransmitter Synthesis – produces crucial hormones influencing mood, psyche and perceptions
• Detoxification – neutralize homocysteine, cyanide, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite

4 Health Benefits of Vitamin B12

1. Increase Metabolism for More Energy

All B vitamins help the body in converting carbohydrates into glucose or sugar, which is burned in order to produce energy for proper body function. B complex vitamins and are essential for the breakdown of fats and proteins so may help contribute to weight loss. They also help maintain muscle tone and protect the mucous lining in the digestive tract and mouth.

2. Increase Clarity and Memory for More Productivity

B12 can support neurological functions and enhance brain activity such as focus and memory. A 2016 study found that “Patients with low-normal VitB12 showed a significantly poorer learning ability and recognition performance than did patients with high-normal VitB12. Also, the microstructure integrity of the hippocampus was lower in patients with low-normal VitB12...Adjustments for age, sex, education, apolipoprotein E e4 status, and total homocysteine, folate, and creatinine did not attenuate the effects.”

3. Reduce Stress for More Tranquility

Vitamin B12 is an excellent anti-stress vitamin since it can enhance immune system functionality. It improves the body’s ability to fight off threats and reduce stressful conditions. B vitamins promote the upkeep of the nervous system and optimize the liver, skin, hair, and eyes. 

4. Reduce Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

B12 can reduce one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease which is high homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid in the blood. High levels of homocysteine can cause stroke, brain inflammation, erectile dysfunction, liver and kidney disease, thyroid problems, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and depression.

According to the National Institutes of Health, Vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin B6 can reduce homocysteine levels through metabolism. “Results from several randomized controlled trials indicate that combinations of vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements with or without vitamin B6 decrease homocysteine levels in people with vascular disease or diabetes and in young adult women. In another study, older men and women who took a multivitamin/multimineral supplement for 8 weeks experienced a significant decrease in homocysteine levels.”

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

According to the National Institutes of Health, most adults in the United States consume the recommended amount of vitamin B12 which is 2.4 micrograms per day. 

However, some people, particularly older adults, have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 from food and even oral supplements. Also since B12 is found in animal-based foods, vegetarians and vegans may be at a higher risk for B12 deficiency. B12 deficiency can affect up to 15% of the general population. In many of these cases, the cause of vitamin B12 deficiency is unknown and it is not diagnosed until it is moderate to severe.

If you are not getting enough B12, you may experience the following symptoms: 

• Anemia (a low red blood cell count) which can leave you feeling weak and tired
• Memory loss, lightheadedness, and/or disorientation
• Pale skin or white spots on the skin
• A sore or itchy tongue. 
• Numbness or tingling in fingers and/or toes
• Sharp stabbing pain in the palm of one or both hands
• Eye twitch, usually in one eye or the other. It can occur on the eyelid or just below.
• Depression

Harvard Health states that “Low levels of B12 can cause fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, numbness, and tingling in the fingers and toes. Severe, long-term deficiency may lead to loss of mobility, problems walking, or memory loss. A blood test from your provider can measure B12 levels, and a serious deficiency can be corrected with B12 shots or high-dose supplements.”

Sources of Vitamin B12

Food

Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal products. It is generally not found in plant-based foods, except for fortified breakfast cereals. Foods with high levels of B12 include:

• Meat: Beef, ham, liver, chicken, eggs
• Fish: Tuna, salmon, clams, trout, haddock 
• Dairy: Cheese, milk, yogurt, yeast

Supplements

B12 supplements can provide an alternative source of energy for vegetarians and vegans. Supplements can also offer a higher dosage of B12 and can be taken orally faster than food. 

Injections

B12 Injections bypass the digestive system and can provide faster, more effective absorption than food or supplements. At Natural Bio Health, we provide the most potent form of B12, which is methyl cobalamin. Most clinics offer only the cyanocobalamin form of B12 which is not absorbed by approximately 40% of the population. If you would like to absorb the vitamin most effectively, we offer weekly 5K mg injections of methyl form B12. With the injection, you can feel more rested, refreshed and energized.

Contact Natural Bio Health Today

Since 1999, Natural Bio Health has helped thousands of people regain their quality of life, prevent disease and maintain a strong immune system for optimal health. Through a careful review of health history, genetics and lifestyle, our providers are able to create individualized wellness plans to address the root-cause of your underlying health concerns.

Whether your personal struggles are with hormone imbalance, weight, sleep, energy, libido, migraines or depression, Natural Bio Health is committed to help you restore your quality of life and achieve optimal mental and physical health.

Contact Natural Bio Health to schedule your B12 Injection.