As it becomes colder and the nights draw in, your mood and your energy levels can drop. This is known as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). SAD can affect a large proportion of people to some extent, from feeling generally more lethargic to headaches & fatigue. Studies have shown that vitamin B12 could have a positive impact on the symptoms of SAD. We'd always recommend speaking to a doctor if your're feeling really down, but if you want to give B12 a try, here’s all you need to know.
What Is B12?
B12 is an essential vitamin. This means that it is a chemical your body needs but that it can’t make. You can only get it through your diet.
B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. This means that your body can’t store it. So, you need to regularly top up your B12 levels to keep your body healthy.
What Your Body Uses B12 For?
Your body uses B12 for many processes. Your nerve cells need it to function correctly. B12 is a vital ingredient in your red blood cells. It’s also necessary for other vitamins to be used properly. Your body can’t use folate, for example, if it doesn’t have an adequate supply of B12.
Because it is involved in so many vital functions of your body, B12 affects your cardiovascular system, your immune system, your brain and practically every cell in your body, which means it'll also have an affect on your energy levels.
What Happens If You Don’t Get Enough B12
It turns out that quite a lot of us don’t get enough B12. The symptoms of B12 deficiency are very similar to those of SAD, so it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference.
B12 deficiency causes a few different symptoms, but the most common are:
- Fatigue or low energy levels
- Rapid heartbeat while resting
- Difficulty concentrating
- Low mood
If you have a small B12 deficiency, you may not be able to identify these symptoms as anything more than the effects of a long day at work. However, in people with severe shortages, these symptoms can become all-consuming.
Who’s At Risk Of Being Deficient In B12?
There are a few factors that can put you at a higher risk of having a B12 deficiency. Here are a few of the risk factors;
The researchers that found that many of us are deficient in B12, also identified that 20% of over 65-year-olds are deficient. This is significantly higher than in the rest of the population.
Vegetarian Or Vegan Diet
Many more people are opting to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. Unfortunately, there are not many plant-based foods that contain B12. This can put people who follow these diets at higher risk of a B12 deficiency.
Some medications can inhibit your body’s ability to take in B12 from your food. You may be taking these medications if you have diabetes or are on a long term antibiotic. Even some antacids can affect your ability to absorb B12. If you are concerned, you should speak to your doctor to get their advice.
Foods That Contain B12
If you eat meat, you can get B12 from many animal products, such as meat, fish, dairy and eggs. For vegetarians, it can be a little harder. Almond milk and coconut milk contain small amounts of B12. Another good source is fortified foods like cereals.
Benefits Of A B12 Supplement
If you’re struggling to get enough B12 from your diet or you’re concerned that you might be deficient, then you might want to consider adding a B12 supplement to your routine.
Our B12 Max supplement is entirely vegan. All you do is spray it under your tongue, and you can be sure you have your recommended daily allowance of B12. The advantage of taking B12 as a spray is that it doesn’t have to go through your digestive system. It is absorbed directly into your bloodstream.
Suppose you’re low in B12 because your body is struggling to absorb it from your food. Then a supplement in spray form is an ideal method to increase your intake.
Since you can get B12 from your diet as well as a supplement, you may be worried that you might end up overdosing. However, as B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, it’s hard to take too much as your body will usually expel excess B12. That said, you should always follow the recommended dosage and not exceed this. But you can be reassured, that adding the supplement to a typically healthy diet will not result in an overdose of B12.