Vitamin B12 Deficiency & Its HUGE Impact On Energy
Fatigue is a very common complaint these days. And vitamin B12 – specifically, a lack of it – is frequently at the heart of the problem.
This nutrient is so unbelievably important. Meanwhile, did you know that 40% of people are deficient in vitamin B12? Forty!
B12 Is Absolutely Necessary For…
- Proper nerve cell function.
- Red blood cell formation.
- DNA synthesis.
It’s hard to pick three more basic aspects of human biology and life – nerves, blood, and DNA.
Then, when you consider that 40% of people are deficient in B12, it’s no wonder there’s so much fatigue and sickness in the general population.
Vitamin B12 And Energy
One of the common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency is feeling fatigued. Many people are in this condition and depend on a morning cup of coffee to make up for it.
B12 is a key nutrient for converting the carbohydrates you eat into glucose, which can then be used for energy.
As I mentioned, vitamin B12 is also essential for red blood cell production. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin which enables them to transport oxygen around your body. Without enough B12, you can develop a type of anemia and as a result feel fatigued and weak.
Another relationship between B12 and energy has to do with your adrenal glands. A lack of B12 places stress on the adrenal cortex, which is the outer covering of your adrenal glands and is the part that releases cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone involved in many aspects of energy production. Without properly functioning adrenals, you will experience fatigue.
B12 Does Soooooo Much
Here’s what depends on vitamin B12 inside you:
- Brain function. B12 is absolutely critical here.
- The health of your entire nervous system. B12 makes the protective covering on your nerves, called myelin. Myelin is like an insulating material and allows for effective nerve conduction to occur. Without myelin, your nerves won’t function properly and you can end up with pretty severe neurological disorders.
- Production of the genetic material inside your cells.
- The health of your cardiovascular system.
- The health of your digestive system.
- The health of your immune system
How To Tell If You’re B12 Deficient
Symptoms might include:
- Fatigue and muscle weakness
- Mood disorders
- Memory loss or confusion
- Numbness and/or tingling in your arms and legs
All of these can be related to nerve damage from lack of B12.
Who’s At Most Risk Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
- People over the age of 50. With aging comes lower levels of one of your stomach acids called intrinsic factor. When you don’t have enough intrinsic factor, you’ll have trouble absorbing
- Vegans. The body doesn’t make B12 and the only way to get it in your diet is by eating animal-derived foods. So, if you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet, you need a B12 supplement.
- Anyone with a digestive disorder like Celiac or Crohn’s disease.
- People who use nicotine.
- People who drink excessive amounts of alcohol.
How To Get Enough B12
First, include good sources of B12 in your diet. The best are:
- Animal protein, particularly organ meat – liver and kidneys.
- Grass-fed meats.
- Wild-caught seafood.
(Steer clear of certain dairy products and grains that are labeled as being “fortified” with vitamins, including B vitamins. These are not the sources you want.)
Make The Most Of B12
Maintain a healthy digestive system (the gut) and take digestive enzymes with every meal to help you properly digest the animal protein that contains B12.
Check out the ingredients in my Digestive Enzymes product. It will help you break down all the macronutrients you eat – proteins, fats, and carbohydrates – to ensure you get the most nutrition out of your food.
"These supplements have changed my life!!!! I take 3 to 4 before I eat anything and it helps me digest my food. I am somebody who is had IBS my entire life who has suffered from digestive issues my entire life and this helps make my life so much easier"
Annie | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Digestive Enzymes
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