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Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin, so it is virtually impossible to overdose on it as the body just disposes of it naturally, so it is safe to supplement B12 even at high doses.

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B12 is the 3rd most important micronutrient your body needs next to water and oxygen to function. It is responsible for producing red and white blood cells, brain cells, DNA & RNA production, carbohydrate, fat and protein production. It also helps improve iron function and assists folic acid. It is also involved in:-

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• Energy production via the Krebs cycle

• DNA via the folate cycle

• Expression of genes through the Epigenetic process

• Nervous and peripheral system

• Mood and Cognitive function

• Blood formation in the bone marrow

• Skin and mucous membrane

• Bones and glandular system

• Immune System

• Digestive system

• Fertility

• Pregnancy and the development of the embryo

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B12 can be effective in aiding many conditions such as:-

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• Bells Palsy

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Myalgic Encephalomyelitus

• Addisons Disease

• Amyloidosis

• Graves Disease

• Guillan-Barre Syndrome

• Reactive Arthritis

• Restless Leg Syndrome

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Sjogrens Syndrome

• Type 1 Diabetes

• Ulcerative Colitis

• Systematic Lupus

• Hashimotos Thyroiditis

• And many others....

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Post natal mothers also have lower B12 levels, especially if they have used Entinox for pain relief, so it is advisable to have a booster of B12.

Vegans and vegetarians are also more likely to have lower levels of B12.

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Peri menopausal women are also more likely to suffer with lowered B12 levels as well as many other nutrients. The sooner we supplement these lowered nutrients, the greater the benefit to lessen the toll on the body, such as minimising the risk of joint pain, osteoarthritis and many other menopausal and post menopausal conditions.

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Being B12 deficient can vary for each individual and the range is very broad fro measuring B12 levels.

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There are over 100 symptoms of low B12 levels.

Common symptoms of low B12:-

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Fatigue, lack of energy

Feeling lethargic

low mood

Depression, feeling less sociable and just not your normal self

Anxiety, pyschosis

Hair loss

Pins and needles

Numbness in the hands and feet

Tremors or palsies

Palpitations

Recurrent headaches

Dizziness

Even early onset dementia and many more

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It is becoming apparent in more and more people, and possibly affecting millions of people as consulted by on the World Health Organisation (WHO).

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Since the advent of Covid many individuals have suffered from some of the long term effects above, and it appears that Covid may have disrupted the B12 levels in individuals, but this has not yet been officially verified.

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How do we get B12?

 

We absorb B12 in the gut, and we get it mainly from animal products such as meat, fish, cheese, milk and eggs. There are NO known plant sources of B12 although some strains of seaweed contain it. It is therefore, quite common for vegetarians and vegans to present with B12 deficiencies.

 

What affects B12 levels?

 

The B12 process can be disrupted in many ways:

• Poor digestion

• Intestinal disease

• Use of medications, namely metformin and nitrous oxide

Some main causes are:

• Atrophic gastritis

• Lack of Intrinsic Factor which helps the absorption of B12 in the stomach

• Poor diet

• Neurological conditions

Genetic conditions include:

• Crohn's disease

• Coeliac disease

• Use of Antacids

• Use of certain medications

• Use of illegal drugs and substances including Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas)

• Pernicious Anaemia

• Gastrointestinal Surgery

• Autoimmune disorders

 

How soon is it Effective:

 

Within hours mood improvements, feeling like you could be sociable and wanting the enjoyment of friends.

Within a day fatigue lessens but can take some weeks, become more sociable.

Within a week numbness and tingling, pins and needles start to reduce and brain fog begins to lift.

Within 2 weeks joints and muscles may start to feel stronger.

Within a month strength and grip improves, pains in feet and hands subside, cyclical hormone, fertility cycles, thyroid and cortisol hormones normalise.

 

How do we give B12 supplements?

 

Boosters are given intramuscularly usually in the upper arm and can be done regularly dependent on an individuals needs. This way is very effective as none of the B12 is wasted through lack of absorption in the body Some people CANNOT absorb B12 and therefore this is the only way they can get it in! If you are B12 deficient or have LOW B12 then this is an ideal treatment for you.

 

How do I get my B12 levels?

 

You can find out your B12 levels with a simple blood test from either your GP or by a simple test at home kit. If they are on the low side you can have B12 boosters every 4 weeks to really boost your levels. If you are deficient in B12 then a course of B12 is advisable, usually every other day for two weeks, then routinely after that. This should always be followed up with a yearly blood test. 

 

Blood tests are not essential in getting B12 boosters, as you can just have them as a wellness treatment, but a yearly check would be advised.

 

It is becoming more common for GP's to stop giving injections unless there is a medical need for it in certain conditions, and encouraging use of tablet supplements instead. This is all well and good if your body can absorb enough of the B12, but you could still be left with low levels and some of the effects already mentioned above.
 

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Contraindications

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• Allergies to any of the products in the injection

• If you are breast feeding (but unlikely to harm the baby)

• Liver or Kidney disease

• When under close medical supervision at hospital

• If you have Active Cancer or are undergoing Chemotherapy/Radiotherapy

• If you are prone to keloid scarring

• Megoblastic Anaemia

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Many of the symptoms of low B12 overlap and could also be indicative of other conditions. If you are in doubt then you should seek medical advice from your GP.

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References & further information

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-b/

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/

https://www.b12info.com/

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This is for information purposes and is not conclusive and/or legally binding in any way.

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