WHY VITAMIN B12?
Vitamin B12 supports many critical functions in the body. It is particularly important to metabolism and energy production. Evidence suggests it can help to reduce cardiovascular disease (heart disease and strokes). Vitamin B12 also helps reduce dementia and brain disease.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN B12?
Energy:
All B vitamins (except for folate) are involved in one or several steps of energy-production within a cell. A deficiency in B vitamins can lead to shortfalls in energy production. It can also lead to serious health and metabolic implications (1). Deficiencies in vitamin B12 can lead to lessened energy and exercise tolerance. It can also lead to fatigue and shortness of breath. Studies show that hematological symptoms improve and eventually disappear with adequate vitamin B12 supplementation (2).
- Tardy AL, Pouteau E, Marquez D, Yilmaz C, Scholey A. Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence. Nutrients. 2020;12(1):228. Published 2020 Jan 16. doi:10.3390/nu12010228
- Stabler SP. Clinical practice. Vitamin B12 deficiency. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(2):149‐160. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1113996
Mood:
A 2000 study examined the folate and B12 levels of over 700 disabled, nondemented women living in community care. Each subject had metabolically significant vitamin B12 or folate levels to see if there was a link to depression. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale. The results were categorized as no depression, mild depression and severe depression. Accounting for sociodemographic characteristics and health status, the subjects with vitamin B12 deficiency were found to be 2.05 times as likely to be severely depressed as non-deficient subjects (1).
- Penninx BW, Guralnik JM, Ferrucci L, Fried LP, Allen RH, Stabler SP. Vitamin B(12) deficiency and depression in physically disabled older women: epidemiologic evidence from the Women's Health and Aging Study. Am J Psychiatry. 2000;157(5):715‐721. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.157.5.715
WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY?
A deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to symptoms that are neurological to psychiatric, and some individuals experience classic megaloblastic anemia. Some common B12 symptoms include impaired neurological function, depression/anxiety anemia, nerve damage and fatigue (1).
- Wolffenbuttel BHR, Wouters HJCM, Heiner-Fokkema MR, van der Klauw MM. The Many Faces of Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) Deficiency. Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes. 2019;3(2):200‐214. Published 2019 May 27. doi:10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2019.03.002
WHO IS AT RISK FOR VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY?
Vegetarians, vegans and the elderly are at a higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. This is followed by pregnant or lactating women due to the increased metabolic demand for B12. Individuals with gastrointestinal complaints and/or complications may also be vulnerable due to impaired absorption. These include inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's Disease, Celiac’s Disease, etc. (1).
- Richter M, Boeing H, Grünewald-Funk D, Heseker H, Kroke A, Leschik-Bonnet E, Oberritter H, Strohm D, Watzl B for the German Nutrition Society (DGE) (2016) Vegan diet. Position of the German Nutrition Society (DGE). Ernahrungs Umschau 63(04): 92– 102. Erratum in: 63(05): M262 This article is available online: DOI: 10.4455/eu.2016.021
OUR SOURCE
Our Vitamin B12 is obtained from quinoa sprouts germinated with b-complex. During the germination process of the quinoa, the b-vitamins are incorporated into the quinoa seeds and available in their free form; they are also available in their biologically active form, allowing for proper absorption.
Research conducted at the University of Scranton (Pennsylvania) USA has demonstrated that natural vitamins, as a result of their bioavailability, are superior to synthetic vitamins; the absorption of natural vitamin B12 was 2.56 times higher than its synthetic counterpart
