Is Vitamin B12 Right For Me?

When we think of vitamins, we assume that you can get them from healthy eating. While this may be true for most vitamins and minerals, it isn't true for vitamin B12. It's an essential vitamin derived from meat, eggs, dairy products, and animal foods.

But if you follow a vegan diet, undergo weight loss surgery, among other reasons, you may not be getting enough vitamin B12. Most people would be surprised to uncover that a B12 deficiency is common and taking vitamin B12 supplements necessary.

What is Vitamin B12?

According to Mayo Clinic, vitamin B12 or cobalamin is a water-soluble vitamin that dissolves in the bloodstream. It plays an integral role in red blood cell creation, metabolism, DNA production, and nerve function.

B12 from foods can be stored for up to four years and any amount not needed comes out during urination. It's a large and complex vitamin that naturally occurs in meat products, added to fortified cereals or a vitamin supplement.

Who Needs Vitamin B12?

Everyone needs vitamin B12, and without it may suffer some severe health problems. Harvard Health, in the article, Vitamin B12 deficiency can be sneaky, harmful, discusses how a vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to some serious health concerns, such as fatigue, dizziness, trouble walking, and more.

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

• Extreme tiredness
• Anemia
• Trouble walking (losing balance, staggering)
• Unusual sensations, tingling in the hands, legs, or feet, numbness
• An inflamed, swollen tongue
• Weakness
• Problems thinking or cognitive difficulties or memory problems

If you're living with any of these symptoms and signs, speak to your doctor about a dietary supplement with B12.

Possible Benefits of Vitamin B12

Knowing whether vitamin B12 is right for you depends on medical advice on your related health topics. However, research shows that vitamin B12 may help with the following.

Builds Blood Cells and Prevents Anemia

Vitamin B12 is integral for red blood cell formation. If cells become sickly and unable to transfer from the bone marrow into the bloodstream, this can cause megaloblastic anemia. Anemia can make you feel tired and lifeless. You may also feel extremely weak.

Prevents Major Birth Defects

One intrinsic factor of birth defects is not having enough folic acid and vitamin B12. Medically reviewed studies have shown that vitamin B12 may reduce the risk of major birth defects.

The fetus's nervous system and brain need sufficient amounts of B12 for normal development. It's even more true at the beginning of pregnancy when the chances of neural tube defects are higher. Vitamin B12 may also prevent miscarriage or premature birth.

Decreases Risk of Macular Degeneration

One of the health benefits of vitamin B12 may be the prevention of macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is an eye condition that affects your central vision.

It may come from elevated levels of an amino acid called homocysteine.  Vitamin B12 lowers the amount of homocysteine in the red blood cells, reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration. 

Boosts Mood and Lowers Symptoms of Depression

One of the positive effects of vitamin B12 on mental health is that it may boost your happiness level and decrease symptoms of depression. While more research needs to be done, scientists know that vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in synthesizing serotonin.

Serotonin is a vital chemical that helps control mood. If you have a vitamin B12 deficiency, you may have lower serotonin levels, leading to feelings of deep sadness. Taking a vitamin B12 supplement to boost mood and improve depression is supported by studies.

Supports Healthy Hair, Skin, and Nails

Another benefit of optimal vitamin B12 levels is the support of healthy hair, skin, and nails. Due to the vitamin's role in cell production, it may boost hair follicles and growth, produce healthy nails, and boost skin rejuvenation.

Supports Bone Health and Prevent Osteoporosis

Some studies have shown that those with low vitamin B12 had lower bone density. Lower bone density may lead to osteoporosis. Taking a vitamin B12 supplement may support overall bone health and reduce the risk of developing weak bones.

In particular, women have an increased risk of osteoporosis as they age, and this risk is heightened as they go through menopause.

Estrogen, the female hormone that plummets during menopause, supports healthy bones as well. Estrogen cream supplementation helps increase estrogen levels.

Prevents the Loss of Neurons

Low vitamin B12 levels have been connected with memory loss. Vitamin B12 may help improve memory by preventing brain atrophy (loss of neurons), especially in older adults. 

Increases Everyday Energy

One of the most common signs of vitamin B12 deficiency is feeling sluggish and tired. Any kind of physical activity is overwhelming. For an energy boost, research shows that if you're deficient in vitamin B12, boosting levels may give you the drive you need to handle everyday tasks without feeling run down.

Vitamin B12 Supplements

Vitamin B12 supplements come in different forms. While you can try to eat animal products or fortified breakfast cereals with B12, you may find taking a supplement easier. Vitamin B12 comes by itself or with other b-complex vitamins, such as vitamin B6.

The types include tablets, pills, creams, and injections. Some people may have trouble absorbing vitamins in pill form since they have to go through the digestive tract. Vitamin b12 injections are painful and not an ideal way to administer medicine.

The best absorption of vitamin B12 into the body is through a high-quality B12 cream. Transdermal applications applied directly to the skin are a natural and effective way to absorb vitamins.

The B12 soaks through the skin, directly into the bloodstream, where it's transported to where you need it most. Vitamin B12 with L-arginine is beneficial. L-arginine, as an amino acid that helps build proteins.

Knowing whether vitamin B12 is right for you can be hard to determine. However, it's an important vitamin in men's and women's health. If you have any of the signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency, the benefits of a topical cream may be precisely what you need.