Will Vitamin B12 Help You Lose Weight?

Written by Vita Sciences

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Posted on March 08 2022

Is it really possible? Vitamin B12 helps you lose weight?

Yes, it’s true, but before you jump in and stock up on vitamin B12, it’s important to understand how it can impact your weight. It should also be noted that it’s not a definite fix for everybody.

In this guide, we will provide you with as much information as we can, but you should always consult with your doctor before you pursue any new treatments for weight loss.

A Closer Look at Vitamin B12 & Weight Loss

Vitamin B12 is naturally found in several foods, including eggs and fish. And since it’s water-soluble, it’s quite easy for your body to absorb and process.

The average person should have between 190 and 950 picograms of vitamin B12 per milliliter of blood to be considered healthy.

Unfortunately, since not everyone consumes enough vitamin B12 or they have health factors that affect absorption, deficiencies are common.

A vitamin B12 deficiency can have a direct effect on your waistline. This is mainly because it’s associated with your energy levels and metabolism.

Research conducted by Frontiers in Nutrition showed that severe vitamin B12 deficiencies can be linked to an increase in body fat and cholesterol – another study by MDPI indicates the same.

Can Vitamin B12 Help You Lose Weight?

It can certainly help!

Vitamin B12 helps turn the food you consume into glucose, which is what fuels you throughout the day. It also functions as a cofactor, which helps essential enzymes better metabolize fat and protein.

Another indirect way that vitamin B12 keeps you within a healthy weight range is by reducing mental stress, which often causes you to feel more tired, overeat, and store more fat.

However, it should be noted that this vitamin doesn’t have the exact same effects on everyone. For some people, vitamin B12 plays a bigger role in nerve health maintenance as well as the production of DNA.

It also makes it easier for other B vitamins to produce healthy red blood cells, which is important for iron circulation throughout the body.

One of the best ways to decide whether a vitamin B12 deficiency might be causing you to pick up weight is to look out for some key symptoms.

Let’s look at those now.

Signs a Vitamin B12 Deficiency is Affecting Your Weight

It’s possible to develop a vitamin B12 deficiency at any age. Here are some of the symptoms to look out for to decide whether you might need a vitamin B12 supplement.

  • Fatigue on a daily basis
  • Weakness
  • Regular anxiety
  • Shortness of breath
  • Numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes
  • Regular diarrhea

You should also consider a supplement if you have diabetes, an eating disorder, HIV, or Crohn’s Disease.

How to Boost Your Vitamin B12 Intake

If you feel that you need more vitamin B12 or your doctor has confirmed you do, there are a few ways that you can increase your intake.

The first option is to get a B12 injection, which is highly concentrated. Patients with anemia generally get an injection because it’s a high dose and has immediate effects.

The other option is to increase your daily intake via a tablet or cream. Maxasorb B12 Cream from Vita Sciences is made with natural ingredients and is ideal for daily use.

We also have a B12 patch, which will provide you with a steady stream of vitamin B12 throughout the day – great for the days you need an extra boost of mental and physical energy.

As an additional step, you can also change up your diet to include more foods that are high in B12. Some of the best options include milk, cheese, salmon, sardines, shrimp, chicken, and eggs.

Don’t forget to incorporate some physical activity into your week to help you better manage your weight loss.