B12, also known as Cobalamin, is important. It is a cofactor in DNA synthesis, as well as fatty acid and amino acid metabolism. It is important for the nerves’ myelin, the wrapping of the nerves all over your body. B12 also plays a role in the circulatory system for red blood cell maturation in the bone marrow. It is the most chemically complex of all vitamins. It is also only acquired from animal-derived foods.
In English, what does this mean? The answer is an important thing to evaluate if you have nerve issues. Neuropathy in your feet? Brain fog? Memory issues? It’s also important for your blood levels. If you are anemic, you may feel weak, lightheaded, or tired.
This is a vitamin that many are deficient in. Why?
- Impaired gastric absorption
- Older-aged people with low stomach acid
- People on acid blockers
- Those who have had bypass surgery
- Metformin users can have deficiency, seen in 30%
- Vegetarians and vegans need to supplement
When you are deficient in B12, you can have symptoms like neuropathy, pernicious anemia, tiredness, weakness, lightheadedness, headaches, loss of appetite, joint pain, muscle weakness, memory issues, and brain fog. Your liver can store 3 to 5 years’ worth of B12, but if you exhibit any of these symptoms and are curious what your level is, you can test for B12 as a separate test or as part of our micronutrient test.
Orally, you can get B12 through liver, clams, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, and fortified breakfast cereals. You can take oral supplements or get Vitamin B12 in one of our Biohackr Healths IVs. (You will see B complex is in almost all of them.)
How can Biohackr Health help?’
TESTING: Individual B12 testing or part of our Micronutrient Panel.
TREATMENT: IV or IM B12 shots
