When you look at the boundless exuberance of children, you may find yourself wishing you could be that lively and asking whether some vitamin B-12 could boost your own energy level.
Although you are free to be as active as a kid, vitamin B-12 will not play a major role in the process.
You may want extra energy in order to finish all the to-do lists. Perhaps you desire longer, more effective workout sessions. Whatever your reason for desiring a boost in vigor, vitamin B-12 is only a minuscule consequence.
Supplementation is pointless if you don’t have a well-designed workout plan to pair it with. Go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, and more.
What Is Vitamin B-12?
Vitamins can be either fat-soluble or water-soluble. If they are fat-soluble, it means they are stored in fat and have a longer shelf life in your body. Water-soluble vitamins are those that leave your system quickly through urination.
Vitamin B-12 is one of the water-soluble vitamins. It also contains the chemical cobalt, making it part of a group called cobalamins. In your body, vitamin B-12 attaches itself to protein and becomes active when that protein reacts with the gastric acid in your stomach.
Lack of vitamin B-12 can result in infirmity, low red blood cells, and tiredness. For babies, vitamin B-12 deficiency is more critical and can cause problems in development.
Does Vitamin B-12 Boost Your Energy Level?
Since vitamin B-12 is a major factor in the creation of red blood cells, it has been widely advertised as an energy booster. It is well known that a deficiency of vitamin B-12 causes sluggishness and weakness so it is thought that additional doses of this important vitamin will have the opposite effect. That might be why some people think vitamin B-12 increases energy but it is not a straight connection.
You may have heard of a term used in connection with athletes called blood doping. This is the process of withdrawing blood, removing and storing the red blood cells, and then injecting the cells back into the blood just before a sporting event. Your body is not made to handle blood this way.
Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the tissues in your body. More oxygen to your body and muscles typically translates to added energy. Nevertheless, additional vitamin B-12 does not create added red blood cells.
The relationship between vitamin B-12 and red blood cells does not necessarily equal a boost in energy. Other processes and nutrients are also involved, such as iron.
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Are Vitamin B-12 Supplements Safe?
Research has shown that most people get the recommended daily allowance of vitamin B-12 through their diet. For otherwise healthy individuals there are no risks in consuming extra vitamin B-12.
What Are the Benefits of Vitamin B-12?
Vitamin B-12 helps your body with brain function, making red blood cells and facilitating DNA activities. It is quickly absorbed and your body can stockpile vitamin B-12 in your liver for several years. Therefore, it is uncommon to be vitamin B-12 deficient.
Where Can You Get Vitamin B-12?
Vitamin B-12 can be found in foods, purchased as supplements, or ordered by your physician. When you use supplements or eat products that are enriched with vitamin B-12, it is then in a more ready-to-use form that does not have to be broken down in your stomach.
Conversely, your body will absorb more of the vitamin B-12 that you get from your food intake. Food sources for vitamin B-12 include animal products such as meat, eggs, dairy, and fish.
If you are on any kind of restricted diet that excludes meat products, you can purchase a variety of foods with added vitamin B-12, including cereal and bread. Visit the USDA website for tips on healthy eating.
Most quality multivitamins contain vitamin B-12. You can also find several varieties of vitamin B-12 supplement products. It is commonly found combined with other B vitamins.
Under doctor supervision, vitamin B-12 is also available to be taken intravenously. This is typically only used as a remedy for the vitamin B-12 insufficiency called pernicious anemia, a very serious disease. Pernicious anemia is caused when your body cannot properly absorb vitamin B-12.
Are There Any Risks in Taking Vitamin B-12?
It is important to remember that everyone is different. Age, gender, and health should be considered. People who suffer from stomach or gastric issues or those who have had any type of stomach surgery should check with their doctor about the correct level of vitamin B-12 consumption.
It’s important to incorporate exercise along with a healthy diet. Sign up for a PRO plan today for access to workout plans that will help you reach your health and fitness goals.