Why use vitamin B12 for energy? Brain fog, depression, and fatigue caused by vitamin B12 deficiency are more than just annoying- they can be debilitating. What’s the basis for using vitamin B12 shots to boost energy and mental clarity, while eliminating fatigue and brain fog, and reducing pain? Here are some energy-specific benefits of vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
The National Institutes of Health Medical Encyclopedia describes overwhelming fatigue as one of the earliest symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, in addition to painful tingling in the hands and feet, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating.
Specifically, lack of energy from vitamin B12 deficiency is the result of not getting enough oxygen to the brain.
You see, vitamin B12 (cobalamin) plays an active role in helping your body produce normal, healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. So, your body relies on adequate levels of vitamin B12 for red blood cell production.
With pernicious anemia, one cause of vitamin B12 deficiency, red blood cells come out too large, misshapen, and are unable to make their way out of your bone marrow and into your blood stream, resulting in a dramatic decrease in total numbers of red blood cells in your body…and in your brain.
As a result, you feel the effects of low oxygen as tiredness, low energy, mental confusion, dizziness, memory loss, and inability to concentrate- all because you’re not getting enough vitamin B12.
Worse, long-term vitamin B12 can lead to severe irreparable nerve damage and increased risk for heart attack and stroke.
How does vitamin B12 produce energy?
The case can also be made for supplementing with vitamin B12 even if you’re not suffering from vitamin B12 deficiency.
Several scientific studies focusing on high-doses of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) found that mega-doses of 2,500-5,000 mcg of vitamin B12 produced a 50%-80% increase of energy, productivity, and feelings of wellness in healthy individuals who did not have vitamin B12 deficiency.
We know that vitamin B12 helps your body take carbohydrates from foods that you eat and convert them into energy. So, more vitamin B12 in the blood ensures efficiency in carbohydrate digestion, thus maximum energy output.
Vitamin B12 also promotes a healthy metabolism, regulates your nervous system, and helps to sustain brain mass in your old age.
Please tell us…
Do you take vitamin B12 for energy and improved athletic performance? If so, what type of vitamin B12 do you currently use?
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
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