Low Energy? Can’t Focus? Here’s Why B12 May Be To Blame
Feeling low on energy or struggling to stay focused? You may have a vitamin B12 deficiency. Let’s dig a little deeper into this powerhouse vitamin whose absence may have you lacking get-up-and-go.
Vitamin B12 is crucial for our heath. And although it is an essential vitamin used in several important body functions such as making red blood cells, converting food to energy, and keeping the nervous system healthy, our bodies do not naturally produce it; which may seem strange considering its importance for whole-body health. So, if it doesn’t come from us, where does it come from?
Before the use of pesticides, antibiotics and chlorine in agriculture, people used to get their dose of B12 by eating traces of soil on plant foods or by drinking river/stream water. However, modern farming techniques used to kill bacteria on crops that could otherwise make us ill, also kills the bacteria that produces B12. Now, farm animals receive supplementation to put the vitamin back into the food chain. But with more and more people in the UK reducing their meat consumption in favour of plant-based options plus questions around our ability to absorb B12 from meat, direct supplementation could be the way forward to reduce your risk of deficiency.
Here is everything you need to know:
How much B12 do I need?
The NHS suggests adults ages 19 to 64 need about 1.5 micrograms a day of vitamin B12.
What are the symptoms of a B12 deficiency?
B12 deficiency can cause a wide range of problems including:
Extreme tiredness - Lack of energy - Pins and needles - A sore and red tongue - Mouth ulcers - Muscle weakness - Disturbed vision - Psychological problems, which may include depression and confusion - Problems with memory, understanding and judgement
I think I may be deficient, what do I do?
See a GP if you think you have a vitamin B12 deficiency. They will be able to run tests and advise on any necessary treatment.
Can I take a vitamin B12 supplement?
Below are our favourite products to boost your B12 intake. We recommend always seeking advise from a healthcare professional prior to taking any new supplement.
Vitamin Injections London's Vitamin B12 Patches are slow-release adhesive skin patches. They provide up to 24 hours of continuous B12 supplementation, delivered directly into the bloodstream. They're the ideal choice for those who wish to improve their health, mood and energy levels from the inside out.
oxygenboutique.com, £49.99
Food-Grown® Vitamin B12* Plus has been expertly formulated to support the normal function of the immune system, the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and homocysteine metabolism. It is also free of excipients, milk products, wheat, soya ,gluten-containing ingredients, artificial colours, added sugars, flavourings and preservatives.
oxygenboutique.com, £13.50
Boost Daily Vitamin B12 Oral Spray
Specially formulated to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system, the tiny clear droplets absorb quickly in your mouth providing faster nutrient absorption than tablets. A growing number of scientific trials and studies are proving that vitamin uptake via oral up to twice as effective compared to traditional forms of supplementation.
oxygenboutique.com, £11.95
