B12 - How Are You Getting This Essential Vitamin?

Hi, I’m Dr. Marie Starling

At The Healing Center Denver, we help people like you reach their full potential by being your Functional Medicine Specialist in Denver, CO.

I specialize in adjunctive care for internal disorders, autoimmune conditions, IBS, thyroid symptoms, diabetes, and other complex health issues.

Erik Johnson, L.Ac. MSTCM, BD, DNMIt is estimated that up to 40% of the U.S. population does not get enough B12 in their diet. Vitamins are substances that are essential in small amounts for the health, growth, reproduction, and maintenance of our body. In nature, these vitamins are never isolated – they are part of a complex plant or animal-based foods which the body absorbs and utilizes when introduced into our diets.

While we would ideally like to get all of our vitamins from the daily foods that we consume, there are numerous factors that prevent individuals from getting these important compounds from food alone. In this blog post, we will briefly cover the importance of one of these vitamins – B12. We will also explore the common reasons for B12 deficiencies and the various supplemental forms for you, including our newest form of B12 which is available now at The Healing Center.

Common Symptoms of a B12 Deficiency

• Impaired mental functionality – poor memory, brain fog, confusion, anxiety, depression, irritability, etc…
• Muscular weaknesses – overall muscle weakness, tender calves, numbness and/or tingling in your extremities, etc…
• Low energy – general fatigue (especially in the afternoon), shortness of breath, pale complexion, lightheadedness, dizziness, anemia, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, etc…

The Benefits of B12

B12 is known as a necessary component for numerous functions in the body, including (but not limited to):

• Formation of DNA and red blood vessels
• Maintaining a healthy metabolism and digestion
• Synthesis of neurotransmitters and hormones
• Energy production
• Gene and enzyme regulation
• Athletic prep or recovery

Common Reasons Behind a B12 deficiency

• A vegan or vegetarian diet with no animal products
• Auto-immune disorders
• A Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in your gastrointestinal tract
• Frequent use of antacids, PPIs, or other acid blockers
• A compromised gastrointestinal system
• A MTHFR mutation in your genes
• Patients over the age of 50 with a decrease in stomach acid

A Brief Description of the Main Types of B12

• Methylcobalamin – The “Kingpin” of B12. It supports methylation in the body and it is commonly used for patients with gastrointestinal issues and/or autoimmune B12 absorption issues. It is great for patients looking to improve brain functionality, memory, mood, sleep, and fatigue.
• Adenosylcobalamin – The “Fuel B12″. It is a mitochondrial (energy) form of B12 that is usually great for people who have general tiredness/fatigue or are easily fatigued with small amounts of exercise.
• Hydroxocobalamin – It is very useful to lower high levels of nitric oxide (common with auto-immune disorders, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue).
• Cyanocobalamin - a synthetic form of B12 that requires other nutrients from the body to make it bioavailable. It is the form most often found in most store bought supplements and is commonly considered the least effective.

Introducing Preservative-free Methyl B12 (Methylcobalamin) Injections at The Healing CenterWe are excited about this new form of B12 available at The Healing Center. Administered by our own Acupuncturist, Erik Johnson, this quick and painless injection is great for patients who have auto-immune disorders, B12 absorption issues, and/or want a simple and easy way of getting their B12 supplementation. The following are some frequently asked questions about this new service that we provide.

*The information in this blog has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to cure, diagnose, treat, or prevent any diseases or conditions. You should always consult with a licensed healthcare professional before beginning any diet, exercise, or supplement program.