Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient, meaning that the body does not produce it. Nor can the body store it for long periods because it is water soluble and therefore expelled. Lack of proper intake of vitamin B12 can lead to fatigue, memory loss, sleep disturbances, tremors, pallor or yellow skin and nails, and more. In fact, the vitamin serves a vital purpose in maintaining your immune system overall.
Certain behaviors or conditions often lead to a vitamin B12 insufficiency or, in more extreme cases, a deficiency. Either way, below normal levels of vitamin B12 can be addressed with an oral supplement or B12 injection. Let’s look at some of the risk factors that may lead to low levels of this essential and mood-stabilizing nutrient.
Vegan Diet
Vegan and vegetarian diets have escalated in popularity in recent years, with 58% of global consumers preferring plant-based dietary claims over meat and dairy according to Innova Market Insights. While dietary changes are a personal choice, a purely plant-based diet greatly increases the risk of vitamin B12 insufficiency. As such, supplementary B12 taken either orally or by injection should be explored by vegans and vegetarians showing signs of insufficiency.
Taking Certain Medications
Drugs used to treat common medical issues including heartburn, diabetes, and other problems can lead to vitamin insufficiency or deficiency, including B12. When used over a prolonged period, these medications impact the body’s ability to absorb important nutrients. The list of such medications is long, but even certain antibiotics and antihistamines can lower your ability to absorb vitamin B12.
Gastrointestinal Surgery
People may have stomach or intestinal surgery for a variety of reasons. These may include anything from cancer to weight loss surgery. Whatever the reason, reducing the size of the stomach or intestine also reduces overall absorption area. Since B12 is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, such surgeries increase your risk of vitamin B12 deficiency and associated health issues.
Pernicious Anemia
Pernicious anemia refers to a condition where your red blood cell count is low. Since red blood cells perform important functions, such as carrying oxygen to your body’s cells and transporting carbon dioxide away as waste material, the condition brings its own symptoms including fatigue, weakness and headaches. But pernicious anemia also interferes with your body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12. This condition, which particularly impacts women over 50 as well of those of European and African ancestry, may lead to a vitamin B12 insufficiency.
Age
While neither a behavioral nor a medical issue unto itself, aging happens to all of us. As the body ages, older adults may experience a condition where the stomach creates less hydrochloric acid, an acid important to the absorption of vitamin B12. In fact, the tiredness, sleep disturbances, or other symptoms often associated with the aging process may in fact be associated with a vitamin B12 insufficiency.
Benefits of a B12 Injection Supplement
ARCpoint Labs can help you determine if supplementary B12 is right for you. Our testing ranges from assessing serum B12 levels, which detect gross deficiency, to full spectrum micronutrient panels, designed to measure how well your body is using an array of common vitamins and minerals.
With this information in hand, speak with your physician. Often, a regular supplement such as a B12 injection will address B12 insufficiency symptoms including fatigue, memory loss, pallor or yellow skin and nails, and more. In fact, such supplements are often shown to stabilize mood, improve cognition, increase memory, and give your immune system an added boost.
Ready to feel better today? At ARCpoint Labs, we deliver injectable B12, which is among the most straight-forwarded and doctor-recommended therapeutic options. Consult with your nearest ARCpoint Labs specialist today to determine if a simple, safe, and fast B12 injection regimen might be the right solution for you!