Imagine a potent nutrient that keeps your metabolism firing on all cylinders and plays a vital role in numerous functions of your body. This is Vitamin B12. It not only safeguards your DNA, but also elevates your immunity, mood, focus, and memory, acting to reduce stress and migraines. But that’s not all – Vitamin B12 is also a crucial ally in the absorption of other essential nutrients, impressively boosting your well-being.
Bid farewell to days of low energy and say hello to optimal health! Vitamin B12 is like a conductor leading the symphony of your body, ensuring your energy is always at its peak. Furthermore, it plays a critical role in maintaining bone health and contributes to the proper functioning of your gut, warding off unpleasant issues like bloating, constipation, and diarrhoea.
It is a vitamin produced by bacteria in the intestines and is directly linked to gut health, as it is a key player in the nutrient absorption process. When Vitamin B12 consumption is insufficient or deficient, it could be associated with an increased risk of infections and neurodegenerative diseases, as brain functions may not operate correctly, potentially hastening the onset of conditions like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other serious brain-related problems.
Additionally, Vitamin B12 is closely connected to immunity. As a nutrient that assists in red blood cell formation and cell repair, when the immune system is under attack from environmental toxins or poorly digested food, the defence mechanism may react irregularly, failing to adequately protect the body.
Furthermore, immunity can be compromised due to damage inflicted on intestinal cells. This situation can harm and breach the intestinal wall cells due to the poor quality of ingested foods, often including fast food and/or processed items. Such foods hinder the absorption of Vitamin B12 as they lack healthy nutrients in their composition, thus triggering infections and negatively impacting the body’s functionality.
So, how can you incorporate Vitamin B12 into your dietary routine?
To ensure adequate consumption that contributes to health and quality of life, foods rich in Vitamin B12 should be included in your daily intake (meat, eggs, fish, and pork, among others). But what about a vegetarian diet? Even with minimal consumption of animal-derived foods, achieving desired levels of Vitamin B12 is possible through a vegetarian diet. In such cases, consider incorporating algae like chlorella, spirulina, and nori seaweed, and always evaluate the potential for appropriate vitamin supplementation.
Ideally, include a source of animal protein in one meal per day, complemented by other natural and healthy foods like fruits and vegetables to ensure you receive the necessary vitamin intake.
How do I know if I have the right levels of Vitamin B12 in my body to function well?
You can do a blood test and find out the levels of vitamin B12 in your body. Remember, excess vitamins can be toxic and also cause adverse effects on your body.
If you want to check your B12 levels or you are concerned about any symptoms mentioned above, seek help from a registered dietitian. Find more information here.
