ALBUQUERQUE, N.M – Your body needs Vitamin B12. It’s good for your health in many ways. For one, Vitamin B12 boosts your energy and beats fatigue.
There are other interesting benefits of Vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 improves your energy, especially if you are an athlete, busy parent, or student. However, some experts argue this claim.
Let’s tackle the issue about Vitamin B12 for energy:
- What is low energy or fatigue?
- How does Vitamin B12 boost energy?
- Who needs Vitamin B12?
- How is Vitamin B12 deficiency diagnosed?
- What are Vitamin B12 foods you can eat to boost your energy and beat fatigue?
- What to expect when you get your Vitamin B12 shots for energy?
- How much do Vitamin B12 shots cost?
- Where can I get Vitamin B12 for energy?
Topics
What is low energy or fatigue?
Energy comes from glucose or the food you eat. It gives you energy to do chores or physical and mental activities. Without energy, you can feel fatigue or low in stamina, vitality, and strength.
You can’t do much of anything and it affects your general well-being. For example, a study mentions fatigue causes poor sports performance. It has been seen among skiers, ballet dancers, and table tennis players.
Other than physical weakness, fatigue negatively impacts your concentration, memory, and mood. According to experts, most of the energy used by the brain is for mental functioning. So unlike physical activity, your brain needs energy all the time.
If you are experiencing fatigue, there are smart ways to fight it.
How does Vitamin B12 boost energy?
Almost all B vitamins, except folate, are linked to energy production. Your body needs adequate B vitamins to have a well-functioning energy production system:
- Vitamin B1 or Thiamine
- Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin
- Vitamin B3 or Niacin
- Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic acid
- Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine
- Vitamin B8 or Biotin
- Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin
There are many causes for your low energy, tiredness, or fatigue. Lack of Vitamin B12 is one of them. In addition, Vitamin B12 deficiency causes mental or cognitive problems. Examples are irritability, depression, and memory loss.
B12 can be further classified into three; namely methylcobalamin, adenosylcobalamin, and hydroxocobalamin. These natural kinds of B12 are involved in energy production based on scientific explanations.
- The mitochondria are the “powerhouse” of the body’s cells. Vitamin B12 works with the mitochondria in the citric acid cycle to generate energy for your body.
- Vitamin B12 synthesizes carnitine, creatinine, and coenzyme Q10. These are major components needed for energy production.
- Vitamin B12 plays a role in blood production. Blood transports oxygen to the different parts of the body. Once your body has decreased blood production, you may start to feel drained. This medical condition or anemia can occur when you lack Vitamin B12.
- Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body. Low levels of antioxidants lead to oxidative stress that causes low energy levels. Glutathione is the most vital antioxidant. You are prone to glutathione deficiency if you lack Vitamin B12. A practical example is when you’re super stressed at work or school.
Thus, Vitamin B12 supplements have been linked to increasing energy and fighting fatigue. Moreover, the effects of Vitamin B12 are long-term, according to a specialist in holistic health. Through regular intake, it continually increases and maintains your energy levels.
Vitamin B12 for energy! What about oxidative stress?
Who needs Vitamin B12?
People who need Vitamin B12 include those with dietary inadequacy, such as vegetarians and pregnant women. In addition, people with pernicious anemia and the elderly with malabsorption problems also need Vitamin B12.
- Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune digestive system disorder. Other diseases linked to pernicious anemia are thyroid disorders, diabetes, and vitiligo. People with pernicious anemia benefit from Vitamin B12 intramuscular injections. Based on a study, it’s a practical and lifelong therapy that enables adequate Vitamin B12 absorption.
- People lacking in dietary intake of Vitamin B12 are at risk of Vitamin B12 deficiency. It includes vegans, vegetarians, and lacto ovo vegetarians. Regular intake of Vitamin B12 supplements helps to replenish the deficit, according to a study. It’s regardless of demographic characteristics, like age and place of residency.
- Pregnant women and older adults need Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 deficiency among pregnant women can affect babies in their wombs. Low intake of Vitamin B12 can lead to neural tube birth defects. Likewise, people may develop malabsorption problems as they age. The elderly are at high risk as pregnant women.
- Athletes and physically active people have used Vitamin B12 supplements for years. However, a 2004 study shows Vitamin B12 had no direct effect on athletes who had good nutrition.
But, a 2006 Oregon State University study reveals Vitamin B12 supplementation may benefit athletes. They found that athletes with depleted B12 performed worse during high-intensity exercise.
Moreover, their bodies had a hard time repairing and building muscles compared to other athletes with rich diets. Vitamin B12 plays a role in converting food into energy. It helps in red blood cell production and repair in cells.
Athletes or people with adequate Vitamin B12 concentrations, though, don’t need supplements or intramuscular injections. Instead, a study recommends regular monitoring of B12 concentrations among athletes. Vitamin B12 supplements correct the insufficiency of Vitamin B12 levels.
According to the American Dietetic Association, Dieticians of Canada, and American College of Sports Medicine, athletes who need supplements, in general, are those:
- Eating fewer foods for energy
- Undergoing rigid weight-loss practices
- Avoiding specific food groups
- Consuming foods low in micronutrients
Thus, if you are generally healthy, additional Vitamin B12 is unnecessary. You naturally get enough Vitamin B12 from the food you eat. But, people with specific medical conditions or at risk of deficiency have to take Vitamin B12 supplements.
Moreover, Vitamin B12 shots work best for severe cases and last resort if supplements aren’t effective.
How is Vitamin B12 deficiency diagnosed?
For starters, you may experience any of the symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency:
- Catching your breath or difficulty of breathing
- Dizzy and blurred vision
- Tiredness or weakness for no apparent reason
- Feeling pins and needles in your hands and feet
- Mood changes, like depression
There is no gold standard for testing Vitamin B12 deficiency. A usual sign of Vitamin B12 deficiency is anemia. A blood test reveals the red blood cells as large and abnormal. Their count is also less than adequate. You have to undergo additional testing if your blood test shows a vitamin deficiency.
The Injection and Infusion Clinic offers B12 testing. Get in touch with us.
What are the Vitamin B12 foods you can eat to boost your energy and beat fatigue?
Specialists claim a lack of Vitamin B12 in the diet results in poor athletic performance. However, vitamin B12 supplements provide an adequate amount needed by the body, especially among nutritionally deficient people.
Before you consider taking supplements, you can add foods high in Vitamin B12 to your diet. Vitamin B12 is abundant in animal sources.
- Beef and lamb
- Organ meats like kidney and liver
- Kinds of seafood like trout, tuna, clams, and salmon
Eggs and fortified foods like cereals, dairy products, and milk are also high in Vitamin B12.
Thus, experts advise people to mind their diet first before taking supplements. They say physically active people should eat foods containing nutrients and vitamins. It applies to athletes in improving their sports performance. If this isn’t possible all the time, people can then take supplements to prevent deficiency.
What to expect when you get your Vitamin B12 shots for energy?
Vitamin B12 shots increase red blood cells and prevent deficiency. In addition, it boosts your energy and fight fatigue, especially if you are Vitamin B12 deficient. Studies suggest the best form of Vitamin B12 for energy is methylcobalamin.
Vitamin B12 dosage depends on your condition, and it’s injected under your skin or into your muscle. Your healthcare practitioner gives regular shots in cases like pernicious anemia.
The frequency may be weekly or monthly until you get back to a normal level. Some people take Vitamin B12 for life based on their specific medical condition.
For athletes and physically active people, it helps to get the shot a day earlier. People reported a boost in energy and stamina with improved mood and cognitive function. Further, a 2020 study finds that a favorable B12 concentration for athletes is 400-700 pg/ml. This range improves red blood cell parameters.
Vitamin B12 shots are safe. Possible side effects include pain, itching, or redness in the injection site, but some people experience irregular heartbeat and diarrhea. There are no significant side effects other than rare allergic reactions.
Takeaway
You can get adequate amounts of Vitamin B12 from food sources, specifically meats. Athletes, busy parents, or students may take Vitamin B12 supplements or shots if needed. Consult us today to know if you are Vitamin B12 deficient.
How much do Vitamin B12 shots cost?
The Injection and Infusion Clinic of ABQ offers B12 methylcobalamin shots for $24.81.
Where can I get Vitamin B12 for energy?
The Injection and Infusion Clinic of ABQ, conveniently located at 8400 Osuna Road NE, Suite 5C, is open Mondays to Fridays from 8:45 AM to 4:15 PM.
Grab the 10% and 9% off on B12 shots.
