Lack of B12 May Be Throwing You Off Balance!

We’ve covered a lot of supplements that can help with hormonal balance and overall wellness, but this particular one is one that needs to be talked about in depth due to it’s rising levels of deficiency cases this day in age. It’s one of the more easier nutrients to overlook, especially if you don’t have a lifestyle that consumes it from the source (are vegan/vegetarian/plant-based), take certain medications that lower your stomach acid and or birth control pills, are over 50, have digestive problems (IBS/Crohn’s/IBD), or consume alcohol more than once a week. And lets be honest, most of us will fall under one or more of these factors!

Vitamin B12 is a powerhouse. It helps make DNA, nerve and blood cells, and is crucial for a healthy brain and immune system. Your metabolism wouldn’t run smoothly without it. But B12 isn’t like other vitamins. It’s only found in animal products like eggs, meat, shellfish, and dairy. Up to 15% of people don’t get enough B12. The signs of vitamin B12 deficiency include exhaustion, rapid heartbeat, brain fog, and other  long-term imbalances and ailments that we can’t ignore.

B12 isn’t nicknamed the energy vitamin for nothing. Inadequate B12 intake makes a dent in red blood cell production, and some of the earliest signs of a deficiency include feeling dragged, confused, and weak. Problem is, these clues are so vague, and not everyone experiences them the same way. And since they can be attributed to so many other possible triggers, most people don’t think to be tested. If these symptoms hit and stick around for weeks, it’s best to consult your doctor and rule out other causes.

It can be hard distinguishing deficiency from dementia, especially since older folks are at risk for both. And the two conditions often overlap: 75% to 90% of B12 deficient people also have neurological complications such as dementia. But even when a B12 shortage strikes younger people, it still typically resembles dementia. Experts aren’t exactly sure of the relationship between the two, but patients with unexplained cognitive decline should be tested for B12 deficiency first thing.

Depletion of your vitamin B12 stores also leads to nerve damage. No wonder pins and needles in your hands and feet, shaky body movements, and trouble walking are all consequences of long-term B12 deficiency. Like so many other B12 deficiency signs, these can be attributed to other causes, including old age. The only way to know for sure is to see your doctor for a test!

B12 and Hormonal Health

Vitamin B12 Is Needed To Make:

– Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that controls your mood.

– Dopamine, another neurotransmitter which controls motivation and feelings of enjoyment.

– Melatonin, a hormone that helps you sleep.

Vitamin B12 is also an integral part of methylation, a process your liver uses to break down cellular waste products and excess hormones. If you have low B12, you may not be methylating properly; a compound called homocysteine can build up in your blood, throwing your estrogen levels out of balance and contributing to fatigue, mood swings, inflammation, and cardiovascular health. B12 also influences your ability to make melatonin, a hormone that regulates deep sleep and triggers nighttime repair mechanisms.

Without proper sleep and stress regulation, your hormones simply cannot function properly. B12 is essential to take daily for most people, but especially during the Luteal Phase of your cycle to boost energy levels, lower anxiety and depression, and increase focus when the hormones are shifting to get ready for your menstrual phase of the month to month cycle.

Supplementation Can Help Whether You Are Needing To Reverse The Effects or Prevent Them

Unlike fat-soluble vitamins that accumulate in your body and can have side effects in excess, B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning your body only absorbs a small amount and the rest is excreted through urine. That’s good news if you need to refill your stores of this nutrient but worry about taking too much. But keep in mind that large amounts of B12 at one time may cause diarrhea and all-over itchiness.