Can Vitamin B12 Give You More Energy?

We all need more energy these days between all the demands life throws at us. Many of us are reaching for sources of energy like caffeine and vitamin supplements. While vitamin B12 is often touted as an energy booster, the truth is a little more complicated. B vitamins are crucial players in our bodies turning fats, proteins, and carbohydrates into energy. B vitamin deficiencies, especially B12 deficiency, will result in fatigue and tiredness. So, while you won’t get a stimulating effect from B vitamins, per se, you need enough of them to avoid having low energy. In this way, supplementing with vitamin B12 will support good energy levels if you didn’t have enough of it before. Since most of us aren’t eating healthy diets, supplementing with a pill or a Mocca Shot is the way to go.

What is Vitamin B12?

Also known as cobalamin, B12 is found naturally in animal products like red meats. It is a key player in the process our bodies use to make red blood cells and DNA. It also helps make brain and nerve cells and supports their function. When we eat foods that contain vitamin B12, our stomach acids break down the foods, freeing the vitamin B12 to bind with proteins. Then our body can absorb vitamin B12.

Signs You Need More Vitamin B12

While a healthy diet will most likely provide all the vitamin B12 you need, sometimes that isn’t possible to do consistently. Also other health factors like illnesses related to the digestive tract, the type of diet being eaten, and pregnancy all call for vitamin B12 supplementation.

1.Fatigue

Since vitamin B12 is part of how our bodies make red blood cells, a vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to two different types of anemia or low red blood cell count. Since red blood cells take oxygen to the rest of our bodies, not having enough of them can lead to fatigue and weakness. If you’re feeling tired all of the time, ask your doctor to check your vitamin B12 levels.

2. Anxiety

Because of its role in the nervous system, a vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anxiety. Doctors know this and will often recommend supplementing vitamin B12 for patients with mental health issues.

3. GI Illness

If you have any kind of digestive disorder, this could be impacting your body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12 from your food. Inflammation in the gut, such as irritable bowel syndrome, will keep your body from absorbing vitamin B12. Also, medications that treat issues like heartburn reduce stomach acid, which is needed to break down vitamin B12 into an absorbable form.

4. Depression

Again, given the role that vitamin B12 plays in the brain and nervous system function, deficiency, or low vitamin B12 levels can lead to feeling depressed.

5. Pregnancy

You need lots of nutrients while pregnant, and B12 is no exception. If you’re pregnant, look for a quality pre-natal multivitamin and ask your doctor about taking extra B vitamins, not just B12.

6. Plant-Based or Vegetarian Diet

Since the richest food sources of B12 include mostly animal products, people who are eating a plant-based or vegetarian diet are at a higher risk of B12 deficiency and need to supplement regularly.

7. Brain Fog

If you’re having trouble remembering things, consider supplementing with vitamin B12. A lack of vitamin B12 can lead to nerve damage, which impacts your memory.Benefits of Vitamin B12 There are many benefits to having healthy levels of vitamin B12. It supports healthy red blood cells and helps to prevent anemia. Your body needs vitamin B12 to make red blood cells which carry energizing oxygen to the rest of your body. It prevents birth defects and helps build healthy bones. It also protects your eyes and brain and improves mood and symptoms of depression and anxiety. If your levels are low or deficient, vitamin B12 will support normal energy levels. It also supports heart health and healthy skin, hair, and nails.Sources of Vitamin B12 The top food sources of vitamin B12 are all animal products such as fish, shellfish, liver, red meat, eggs, poultry, and dairy products. All other food sources of vitamin B12 are fortified, meaning that vitamins are added to them, such as fortified nutritional yeast and breakfast cereals. This means that plant-baseds must supplement vitamin B12 and likely vegetarians as well.

8. How to Take Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 can be taken by mouth as a pill, at a recommended dosage of 1-25mcg per day. For those who are deficient, doses of 300-10,000 have been used. This is why it’s important to talk to a doctor if you suspect you are deficient. Your doctor can also give you vitamin B12 shots. While unpleasant to do, shots are an effective way to get vitamin B12 into your system if you’re deficient. Shots vary in dosage, from 30mcg per day to 100-200mcg per month. It can also be applied to the skin for issues like canker sores.

Want Vitamin B12? Take a Mocca Shot!

Seattle Gummy’s famous energy chew, the Mocca Shot contains as much caffeine as two strong cups of coffee and uses vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 to help your body make energy from your food. This results in a steady, smooth, non-jittery energy that helps you get your day started and lifts you out of afternoon slumps. Take a Mocca Shot anywhere and anytime you need energy!