B12: the Energy Vitamin
Article by Kevin Gianni
Vitamin B12 is the "energy vitamin" so it's important to maintain the right levels of B12 to keep your energy constant enough to get you through the day without irritability or unusual fatigue.
Our environment is so sanitized that the bacteria that normally produce B12 are often not present. B12 is also a very sensitive vitamin and sometimes it can be found in the right quantities, but can't be absorbed by the body because of a lack of what is called the "intrinsic factor." Any slight change in digestion can cause B12 absorption problems, through a lack of this intrinsic factor.
Vegetarians Need B12 Supplements A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2010 showed that almost 75% of British vegans are either depleted or deficient in B12.
50% were actually deficient, enough to experience neurological damage. That's a shocking statistic!
And 21% were considered "depleted." In people following an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet, 7% were deficient and 17% were considered depleted. If you eat a vegetarian or mostly vegetarian diet, you absolutely need to supplement with B12. But because B12 supplements are absolutely safe, it's also advised for anyone to include it as part of their program, considering the fact that our environment is a little too sanitized to insure proper B12 stores for a lifetime. B12 deficiencies can lead to low energy, muscle pains, irritability, heart dysfunction, hearing loss, memory loss, a constant feeling of being "spaced out." Another symptom that you could be B12 deficient is when you experience tingling in the fingers and toes. When the neurological damage continues, it can lead to tremors in the extremities. Bad news... The chronic fatigue caused by B12 deficiency can turn into a full-scale depression.
How to Supplement So you have to supplement, but you have to find the right way to do it. Years ago, I was B12 deficient, and looking for the best supplement. I found out that most supplements, including sub-lingual tablets, are not absorbed completely by the body. The supplements contain a form of B12 that has to be converted by the body into the form that is truly usable. As little as 1% of the B12 in a supplement ends up being assimilated in most cases. So what's the solution? B12 shots are the best way to get truly absorbable B12 when you are deficient and need to raise your levels quickly. But a shot can cost you close to $250 in North America (including the doctor's visit), and well… who likes to get stuck with a needle? Not mentioning the fact that the liquids injected contain ingredients that you probably don't want in your system.
Why I Use B12 Patches I finally found a good solution to this problem, when I was attempting to raise my own B12 levels. We were in Costa Rica, doing a juice fast, and there I met a lady who was using B12 patches. She managed to raise her own B12 levels quickly using a small patch that you put behind the ear once or twice a week. I did some research and found out that the patches are probably the best alternative to shots and tablets. They contain the most absorbable type of B12 — methylcobalamin — which is easily absorbed through the skin in 24 hours. Other vitamins on the market contain cyanocobalamin, which is a cheaper source of B12 that needs to be converted by the body. When you need to raise your B12 level you can use the patches. If you're deficient, you can use the patches twice a week, and then as needed. B12 overdoses are pretty much unknown and the patches provide just the right quantity that the body needs.
B12 the Energy Vitamin If you feel constantly tired in spite of getting good sleep, you may want to look at raising your vitamin B12 level. B12's role in energy production is well known, and insufficient B12 levels can lead to fatigue and mood changes.
Vitamin B12 is the "energy vitamin" so it's important to maintain the right levels of B12 to keep your energy constant enough to get you through the day without irritability or unusual fatigue.
Our environment is so sanitized that the bacteria that normally produce B12 are often not present. B12 is also a very sensitive vitamin and sometimes it can be found in the right quantities, but can't be absorbed by the body because of a lack of what is called the "intrinsic factor." Any slight change in digestion can cause B12 absorption problems, through a lack of this intrinsic factor.
Vegetarians Need B12 Supplements A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2010 showed that almost 75% of British vegans are either depleted or deficient in B12.
50% were actually deficient, enough to experience neurological damage. That's a shocking statistic!
And 21% were considered "depleted." In people following an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet, 7% were deficient and 17% were considered depleted. If you eat a vegetarian or mostly vegetarian diet, you absolutely need to supplement with B12. But because B12 supplements are absolutely safe, it's also advised for anyone to include it as part of their program, considering the fact that our environment is a little too sanitized to insure proper B12 stores for a lifetime. B12 deficiencies can lead to low energy, muscle pains, irritability, heart dysfunction, hearing loss, memory loss, a constant feeling of being "spaced out." Another symptom that you could be B12 deficient is when you experience tingling in the fingers and toes. When the neurological damage continues, it can lead to tremors in the extremities. Bad news... The chronic fatigue caused by B12 deficiency can turn into a full-scale depression.
How to Supplement So you have to supplement, but you have to find the right way to do it. Years ago, I was B12 deficient, and looking for the best supplement. I found out that most supplements, including sub-lingual tablets, are not absorbed completely by the body. The supplements contain a form of B12 that has to be converted by the body into the form that is truly usable. As little as 1% of the B12 in a supplement ends up being assimilated in most cases. So what's the solution? B12 shots are the best way to get truly absorbable B12 when you are deficient and need to raise your levels quickly. But a shot can cost you close to $250 in North America (including the doctor's visit), and well… who likes to get stuck with a needle? Not mentioning the fact that the liquids injected contain ingredients that you probably don't want in your system.
Why I Use B12 Patches I finally found a good solution to this problem, when I was attempting to raise my own B12 levels. We were in Costa Rica, doing a juice fast, and there I met a lady who was using B12 patches. She managed to raise her own B12 levels quickly using a small patch that you put behind the ear once or twice a week. I did some research and found out that the patches are probably the best alternative to shots and tablets. They contain the most absorbable type of B12 — methylcobalamin — which is easily absorbed through the skin in 24 hours. Other vitamins on the market contain cyanocobalamin, which is a cheaper source of B12 that needs to be converted by the body. When you need to raise your B12 level you can use the patches. If you're deficient, you can use the patches twice a week, and then as needed. B12 overdoses are pretty much unknown and the patches provide just the right quantity that the body needs.
B12 the Energy Vitamin If you feel constantly tired in spite of getting good sleep, you may want to look at raising your vitamin B12 level. B12's role in energy production is well known, and insufficient B12 levels can lead to fatigue and mood changes.
