If you’re suffering from “mystery symptoms” like low energy, brain fog, moodiness, difficulty sleeping or just a vague feeling of malaise, chances are you’re suffering from a vitamin deficiency that affects 1 in 2 older adults. Yet tragically, doctors rarely detect this deficiency until it manifests as a severe neurological disorder, dementia, mental illness, chronic fatigue, cardiovascular disease, cancer…or worse! What’s more, doctors typically misdiagnose the symptoms of this deficiency and then prescribe drugs that do nothing to address the problem, but instead have plenty of side effects that only make you feel worse!
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| Vitamin B12 Rich foods |
What I’m talking about here is vitamin B12 deficiency, and if you've experienced any of the symptoms I described above, it’s imperative that you take action NOW to get your B12 levels up to a healthy level — before irreversible damage occurs. The good news is that B12 deficiency can be remedied easily, quickly and inexpensively. But don’t run out and grab the first bottle of B12 you see — it’s crucial that you take the right kind of B12. There’s a shocking secret about what most B12 supplements are made from that you need to know about.
Are YOU Vitamin B12 Deficient?
The older you are, the higher your risk is for B12 deficiency, but younger people aren’t exempt from harm. In a shocking recent Tufts University study, researchers found that nearly 1 in 4 people over age 26 are at least borderline deficient in B12 and may already be experiencing symptoms as a result.
Here are some of the most common signs of B12 deficiency:
- Low energy and weakness
- Memory problems
- Confusion or “fuzziness”
- Irritability and mood swings
- Persistent sleep problems
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Digestive problems
- Weak immunity
- Hearing and vision loss
- Tingling in the extremities
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Why Your Body Needs B12
Your body depends on vitamin B12 for energy production. It’s crucial to the metabolic process that converts carbohydrates and fats into energy — this is why it’s often called the “energy vitamin.” B12 is also one of the building blocks your body uses to produce DNA, so it’s crucial for healthy cell growth and repair. B12 keeps your immune system functioning optimally, regulates mood and sleep cycles, and mitigates the harmful effects of the toxic stress hormone homocysteine, making it a vital player in maintaining heart health and more. But new research is showing that B12’s most vital function of all may be protecting your brain and entire nervous system by keeping your nerves communicating in an optimal manner.
How B12 Protects Your Brain
Did you know that if you live to be 80, your chances of suffering from severe loss of cognitive function are 1 in 2? Not coincidentally, roughly the same number of older adults is deficient in B12! Emerging research is showing that age-related cognitive decline and memory loss are linked to a process in the body that involves a decrease in brain mass. That’s right, your brain actually shrinks as you age!
A recent landmark study showed that B12 supplementation slows the accelerated rate of brain shrinkage and declining cognitive function in older individuals. Another study showed that older people with higher levels of B12 in their blood had bigger, healthier brains and scored higher on cognitive tests than those with lower levels.
Take B12 to SUPERCHARGE Your Days
As I mentioned, B12 helps your body produce energy by metabolizing carbs and fats in the food you eat. The effects of replenishing your B12 stores on your energy levels can be dramatic. Most people report significant increases in energy, stamina, motivation and ability to focus within days of beginning to take B12.
B12 is also needed for the production of the important neurotransmitter serotonin, which regulates mood, sleep and appetite. A study from the National Institute of Aging found women with low B12 levels were more than twice as likely to develop depression as women with normal B12 status. Many people find that taking B12 helps them to get the deep, rejuvenating sleep they need at night, so they wake up feeling refreshed.
How B12 Can Save Your Heart, Bones, Eyes and Ears
Another major benefit of having enough B12 in your body is reduced levels of the toxic stress hormone homocysteine. Not only does lowering homocysteine levels make you feel less stressed, studies have shown that it also confers protection for your heart, bones, vision and hearing. Homocysteine is known to damage to the inside of blood vessels and arteries, making elevated homocysteine levels a serious risk factor for heart disease.
Homocysteine weakens bones by interfering with collagen cross-linking, the molecular “stitching” that makes bones strong and flexible. In one study, people with low B12 levels had lower-than-average bone mineral density. B12 also helps to build stronger bones by aiding osteoblasts, the cells that build bone.
Additionally, B12’s homocysteine-lowering effects help it protect your eyes and ears. Harvard researchers found at least a 34% decreased risk of vision loss and improved retinal blood vessel function for women aged 40 and older who supplemented with B12. And one study found that low blood levels of vitamin B12 were linked to a higher risk of hearing loss in women in their 60s. Researchers think that homocysteine may damage the delicate cells that transmit sound waves in the inner ear.
Why Are So Many People B12 Deficient?
The reason that the vast majority of people end up B12 deficient has nothing to do with their B12 intake, but rather, their ability to absorb B12 from food. As you get older, the lining of your stomach gradually loses its ability to produce hydrochloric acid, which you need to absorb B12 from food. The use of certain drugs can also lower your stomach acid secretion, further hampering B12 absorption. This is why with B12 supplements, a sublingual (under-the-tongue) delivery system is absolutely essential. This ensures the B12 goes directly into your bloodstream, bypassing your digestive tract.
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WARNING: Some B12 Supplements Contain Cyanide
The form of B12 that you’ll find in most B12 products — even the B12 injections your doctor may administer — is cyanocobalamin. And here’s the shocker. Can you guess how this form of B12 gets its name? Cyanocobalamin is comprised of a cyanide molecule attached to a cobalamin (B12) molecule. Cyanide is a toxic poison that the body cannot metabolize, and over time, it can accumulate in brain tissues with disastrous results.
For reasons I’ll never fully understand, way too many B12 supplements on the market today are made with this virtually worthless form of B12. My guess is that these companies are just out to save money at the expense of your health, which is truly a shame.
What you want to take is a supplement made with the methylcobalamin form of B12, which research has shown to be the safest and most effective. Currently, most experts recommend taking a minimum of 1,000 mcg a day of sublingual methylcobalamin. Higher dosages of up to 15,000 mcg per day are sometimes required to bring levels back up to an optimal level and to restore energy, mental function and mood balance. B12 has no known drug interactions and has never shown any adverse or toxic effects in humans, even when given in very large doses.
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