B12 is a crucial vitamin that is involved in the proper functioning of the brain, nervous system, cardiovascular system, formation of red blood cells and is a co-factor in cellular metabolism and weight management.
Vitamin B12 –Symptoms of Deficiency
Deficiency is common and can cause symptoms such as:
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Fatigue and low energy
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- Mood changes and depression
- Memory loss and dementia
- Numbness, tingling, neuropathy and muscle weakness
Why You May be Deficient?
Deficiencies are common in those whose digestive system does not adequately absorb this vitamin, which can happen in the case of gastritis (affecting 30% of people aged 50 and older), low or high stomach acidity, pernicious anemia, Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), Celiac disease, bacterial or candida overgrowth, parasites, excess alcohol consumption, and long term use of acid-reducing drugs.
They are also common in vegans and vegetarians since the best source of B12 is animal products. If you are female that was vegan or vegetarian during your pregnancy, make sure to check your child’s B12 levels. If deficiency is not detected and treated this can lead to severs and permanent damage to the nervous system.
How Can Your Symptoms be Fixed?
Upon getting a baseline of your B12 levels, we can administer B12 energy booster shots as it is a faster, and for some a less cumbersome, way of increasing your levels than supplementing orally. In severe deficiencies I may also prescribe B12 energy booster self-injections that one can do from home.
Don’t accept your fatigue levels as a normal part of your life. Contact me to explore the underlying cause and fix it for good!