What exactly is vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin also known as cobalamin. Your body can store vitamin B12 for up to 4 years, and will naturally secrete any excess in your urine. Vitamin B12 plays an essential role in the production of your red blood cells and DNA. It is also a crucial component of the functions of your nervous system, as it is required for healthy nerve tissue and brain function. Vitamin B12 is commonly associated with “more energy”. This is due to the fact that B12 enables the release of energy by helping your body absorb folic acid. In addition, if you are lacking B12, your body isn’t able to produce enough red blood cells to transmit oxygen throughout your body which will cause you to feel tired and weak. Bringing up your B12 levels will give you an instant boost of energy. The benefits of B12 don’t stop there! There are countless reasons that B12 is so important to your health.
How do I know if I need B12?
One sure way to know if your body is deficient in B12 would be having a simple blood test done, but that is not always necessary. By understanding the benefits of B12 and knowing the signs of deficiency, you may be able to recognize if you could use a boost. Vitamin B12 deficiency is extremely common, affecting up to 15% of the general population. That is over 15 million people!
What are the signs that I may need to increase my B12 levels?
More often than not, we do not listen to our bodies when we are not feeling well, whether it is from the inability to give our bodies a break because of constant activity, or just not knowing what to do to properly make a positive difference. Sometimes, we are so used to the way we feel because we have been dealing with something such as low energy or abnormal sleep for so long that we forget what it feels like to feel our best!
Here are a few signs that your body is craving more B12 than you are supplying.
- – Low energy
- – Weakness/Fatigue
- – Insomnia
- – Mood Changes
- – Forgetfulness
- – Pale/Jaundice skin
- – Frequent headaches
- – Problems maintaining balance
- – Depression
- – Mouth inflammation/ulcers
- – Blurry Vision
- – Anemia
- – Vegan Diet
- – Slow metabolism
Are Vitamin B12 Injections the best option?
Vitamin B12 can be found naturally in animal products such as meats, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy. B12 can also be found as an additive to other foods, such as some fortified bread and plant-based milk. Some people even take oral B12 supplements. Unfortunately, many people have trouble absorbing nutrients orally. A few reasons that you may not absorb B12 properly though consumption include intestinal inflammation, poor gut health, or a deficiency of intrinsic factors. Most oral vitamins deplete in efficacy as they work their way through your system.
Vitamin shots are one of the most effective and efficient ways to get your body’s nutrient balance quickly. The benefits of getting a vitamin B12 shot into your bloodstream allows the vitamins to bypass your digestive tract to be absorbed directly into your system. The effects of a B12 are almost instant due to the immediate integration into your body and the high potency. Most commonly, people feel the full effect in less than a week. On the other hand, oral supplements could take weeks to months to show you any improvement. Vitamin B12 is the only water-soluble vitamin that your body will store. If your levels are at their max, your body will naturally secrete any excess B12 in your urine.
How often should I get a vitamin B12 injection?
The recommended frequency of vitamin B12 injections varies by individual. Since vitamin B12 injections can help in so many different areas, your practitioner will help you develop a healthy plan. Once your B12 has risen to your desired levels, a maintenance plan can also be discussed. The good news is that there is no report of B12 toxicity which means there is no limit to how much B12 can be taken by an otherwise healthy person.
So what are you waiting for? There is no need to be vitamin B12 deficient, it is a simple fix! Make your appointment to get your B12 injection today. As we say at Aspire Total wellness, “Be your best. Feel your best.” You only have one body and one life…always take care of YOURSELF!