When it comes to dietary needs, humans are notoriously needy compared to other animals. Thanks to biology, our body is able to produce many of the vitamins and nutrients it needs on its own. However, there is one essential vitamin which every single cell needs to function that our bodies can’t produce - vitamin B12.
What is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, plays a key role in several bodily functions. This essential vitamin helps generate energy by optimizing the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. B12 also aids in the production of mood-boosting neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. Vital to cell health, B12 is responsible for the formation, quality, and repair of DNA supporting healthy aging and energy at the cellular level.
Signs of a Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Despite vitamin B12 being the MVP of key vital functions, it is a common deficiency, especially in those with gut issues, causing issues such as skin sensitivity, inflammation, and breakouts, as well as hormone imbalances, and fatigue.
The only way to get vitamin B12 is through food or supplementation. The best sources are found in animal meat, fish, eggs, and dairy, which is why vegetarians and vegans are often B12 deficient. B vitamins are water-soluble, which means they cannot be stored in your fat cells, – there is no long-term storage system in place for this vitamin.
Gut health plays a major role in the ability to absorb B12. The gut is responsible for both releasing B12 from the food you eat and packaging it with another substance so it can be absorbed into the body. For this reason, those who suffer with gut issues (low stomach acid, Crohn’s disease, etc.) are less likely to effectively absorb B12, causing an overall deficiency in the vitamin.
Signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency include fatigue, weakness, paleness, breakouts, hyperpigmentation, low appetite, weight loss, numb or tingly hands and feet, depression, memory issues, problems with balance.