Low Energy? Brain Fog? Feeling Down? You May Be Deficient in this Vitamin

June 23, 2015

By Anna Varriano

Vitamin B12 – What Does It Do?

Vitamin B12 is one of the most important nutrients in our body. It is involved in the production of:

  • DNA, which is our body’s genetic code. DNA is the ‘bossypants’ for everything that happens in our body
  • Red blood cells, which carry oxygen to every cell of our body so that they can make energy and function properly, Without healthy cells, you cannot have overall health
  • Myelin, which is a fatty substance essential to our nervous system. It helps nerve impulses travel quickly and properly throughout all parts of our body, including our brain

What Are Some Signs and Symptoms of a Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

The first sign of a B12 deficiency is typically low energy, sometimes combined with feeling down. Years ago I attended a presentation given by a medical doctor who said that billions of dollars are wasted on undiagnosed vitamin B12 deficiencies, especially in the area of depression.

Who is at Risk for Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Potentially, anyone could be at risk for B12 deficiency; however, some individuals are at higher risk, including:

  • Anyone over 40, as production of hydrochloric acid typically declines at this age (if not sooner due to the typical North American Diet which is hard on the stomach!)
  • Vegans and vegetarians
  • Overweight or obese individuals
  • Individuals with digestive system issues and/or diseases, including Crohn’s Disease
  • Individuals with neuromuscular issues

How Should You Take Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is a very complex molecule and absorbing it from our digestive tract is not a straightforward process. Proper absorption requires a substance produced in the stomach called ‘intrinsic factor’. The production of instrinsic factor requires proper amounts of hydrochloric acid, also produced in the stomach. Unfortunately, most people do not produce enough hydrochloric acid, which means they don’t produce enough instrinsic factor, which means they’re not absorbing vitamin B12 – even if they are eating foods that contain decent levels of it (e.g. meat, fish, poultry, most animal products), or taking the vitamin in a pill form that is swallowed. A few hints that you’re not making enough hydrochloric acid include feeling bloating, having indigestion, and experiencing heartburn/acid reflux.

In order to bypass the roadblocks associated with absorbing vitamin B12 from the digestive system, it is often recommended to take B12 as a sublingual (under-the-tongue) lozenge or via an intramuscular injection (a needle in your butt or elsewhere).  Interestingly, although physicians have previously relied on intramuscular injections of vitamin B12 for patients who are deficient in this vitamin, research has shown that patients can achieve higher blood levels of B12 when administered orally. (1)

b12A brand I have had great results with is Biotics Research Canada’s B-12 2000 mcg lozenges. These cherry-flavoured lozenges are easy to take. Biotics uses hydroxocobalamin for oral use instead of a methyl source so as not to interact (methylate) with mercury amalgams (mercury tooth fillings).

In addition to 2000 mcg of B-12 as hydroxocobalamin, each lozenge also contains, 800 mcg of folate, and 2 mgs of  B-6 phosphate (P-5-P).

Please note that it is best to take B12 (and other B vitamins) earlier in the day as they are stimulatory in nature. Take them too late in the day and you may have trouble sleeping.

Now you can order a 60-lozenge bottle of B-12 2000 mcg through Perfect Resonance Natural Health Counselling for just $37 + HST = $41.81.  At a dose of 1 lozenge daily (2000 mcg/day), this product provides a 2 month supply.

To order, please email info@perfectresonance.com and put ‘B12’ in the subject line. You will receive a confirmation email with payment instructions when your order is ready for pick up through Perfect Resonance Natural Health Counselling, located in the Marshall Health Clinic at 2605 Carling Avenue, Ottawa ON.

As always, whenever you start taking a new supplement, it’s important to let your doctor and/or other health care practitioners know, especially if you are on any medications.

Take control of what you can!

 

References:

1 – Kuzminski AM, Del Giacco EJ, Allen RH, Stabler SP, Lindenbaum J. Effective treatment of cobalamin deficiency with oral cobalamin. Blood. 1998 Aug 15; 92( 4): 1191-8

[printfriendly]

Privacy Policy