Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 helps the body’s ability to reduce the onset of fatigue and increase concentration levels by contributing to a normal energy metabolism.

Vitamin B12 is essential for the formation of red blood cells and the development and normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, particularly those aspects which determine concentration, learning, memory and reasoning.

We get B12 from animal products such as:

• Red meat
• Fish
• Milk
• Eggs
• It can also be found in fortified foods

However, you may be struggling to get enough through a healthy diet as it is notoriously hard to absorb through the gut due to its large molecular size.

B12 is a notoriously difficult nutrient to absorb in the gut. At most only 1% of our dietary intake will be absorbed by the body, and that relies on digestive efficiency and the presence of a chemical called intrinsic factor.

Deficiency can occur at any age and in the past, we have associated deficiency with growing older and our inability to extract the large molecule from our diet. However, more and more children and teenagers are being diagnosed with a deficiency. In extreme cases deficiency (known as pernicious anemia) can cause severe nerve damage.

Our livers hold large stores of B12 and deficiency tends to develop over many years and because symptoms can easily be mistaken, diagnosis is often missed. Symptoms vary but include one or more of the following: fatigue, vague mental fogging and memory problems, depression, weakness, pins and needles in the hands and feet, and an unsteady walk.

There are many people who suffer with Pernicious Anemia and have insufficient levels of B12. This is not a problem with the blood but rather with the digestive system. Some people do not produce the intrinsic factor which hampers their absorption of B12, however this is a very small percentage of Pernicious Anemia sufferers. The majority of people do produce the intrinsic factor but for some unknown reason, they also produce something that kills off the intrinsic factor, Anti-Intrinsic Factor Antibodies.

If you have been diagnosed with Pernicious Anemia by your doctor he will undoubtedly have prescribed a course of B12 injections. Depending upon you level these will be weekly, monthly or every three months and vary in dosage levels. However, this form of treatment often results in symptoms returning before the next injection is due and this is one vital service BetterYou Boost B12 Oral Spray delivers.