What is vitamin B12 and what does it do?
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin found in animal-based products. It works in DNA formation and the body’s nervous and hematologic system. It is also utilized in energy generation and is fuel for the adrenal glands responsible for dealing with daily stressors, both physical and emotional.
Am I getting enough vitamin B12?
Most people in the United States get enough vitamin B12 from the foods they eat; however, many people struggle to absorb it. As a result 1.5-15% of the public have a deficiency, which can be identified with blood tests. There are many different ways to deliver vitamin B12 depending upon your ability to absorb it and your needs. At Today Integrative Health and Wellness, we work with patients to optimize their B12 status with oral supplementation counseling and intramuscular injections.
Certain groups are at increased risk for B12 deficiency and are good candidates for intramuscular or intravenous B12 such as:
- Those over 50 years of age
- People with pernicious anemia or Imerslund-Grasbeck disease
- People who have had gastrointestinal surgery, such as weight loss surgery, or who have digestive disorders, such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease.
- Vegans and vegetarians
- Alcoholics
- Those on certain medications such as metformin used for diabetes
How would I know if I am deficient?
B12 deficiency can cause many different symptoms the most common being fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, soreness of the mouth and tongue, and anemia. Additional symptoms can be aphthous ulcers, sleep imbalances, eczema, macular degeneration, and psoriasis. Problems with the nervous system such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet or changes in balance can also occur. Mood is also heavily influence by B12 levels and those deficient may have anxiety, depression, confusion, dementia, or poor memory.
Talk with your provider at Today Integrative Health and Wellness to see how you can optimize your B12 levels for better health.
