What is Vitamin B12 and what role

does it play in the body?

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is not only an essential nutrient for vitality, wellbeing and regulating mood, it also plays a pivotal role in our body’s essential function. From red blood cell formation to nerve function, this vitamin is fundamental to our daily physiological operation. 

Vitamin B12 is essential for several body processes that are necessary for daily life. It helps in the maintenance of:

• Healthy immune system

• Assists with central nervous system function

• Helps form red blood cells

• Encourages DNA production

• Maintains sharp cognitive function and elevated mood

• Heightens energy levels by assisting in metabolic function that converts food into energy

• Guards against anemia

• Converts the homocysteine protein, which may help with cardiovascular and neurological health

What are the symptoms of vitamin B12

deficiency?

Many individuals suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency, often without even realising it. This deficiency can lead to a multitude of health issues. These may include:

• Fatigue

• Impaired brain function 

• Feeling weak or faint

• Numbness or a prickly feeling in your extremities

• Headache

• Mood changes

• Anxiety and Depression

• Heart palpitations

• Constipation

• Lower visual acuity

• Pernicious anemia (body’s inability to make healthy red blood cells due to an inadequate supply of B12)

So what can cause vitamin

B12 deficiency?

Vitamin B-12 is found naturally in a variety of foods, including meat, fish and dairy products. While vitamin B12 is essential for our well-being, maintaining adequate levels can sometimes be a challenge. However beyond dietary intake, a surprising array of factors can contribute to a B12 deficiency. These may include:

• Any condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract: Autoimmune gastritis (which can lead to pernicious anaemia), Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or Surgical procedures like gastric bypass surgery, Gastrectomy or Terminal ileal resection

• Autoimmune diseases: Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Sjögren’s syndrome, Type 1 diabetes and Thyroid disorders

• Medications: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), commonly prescribed for acid reflux and ulcers, metformin, colchicine, phenobarbital, pregabalin, primidone, topiramate and H2-receptor antagonists

• Lifestyle: chronic alcohol, smoking

• Infectious Diseases: HIV, syphilis

• Liver Disease

• Pregancy

• Age

How do Vitamin B12 Injections work?

According to the UK government, our bodies require 1.5 micrograms (mcg) a day of Vitamin B12, although other governments advise that we actually need more.

Vitamin B12 is predominately only acquired naturally from animal-based produce such as meat, dairy, eggs, as well as fish, especially trout, salmon and cod. Vitamin B12 deficiencies are therefore quite common among vegetarians and vegans. However, many people who are deficient are simply this way because their bodies are unable to absorb Vitamin B12 efficiently.

Supplementary tablets can be taken to account for a lack of Vitamin B12 in the diet. However, injections are a more effective method because the Vitamin B12 is delivered straight into your system without being digested first, allowing for maximum results. Any Vitamin B12 that is not required by the body is excreted in the urine.