Do you constantly feel tired and sluggish?

You’re not alone. 67% of Americans admit that they feel tired at work, while 44% struggle to concentrate during the day.

Of course, there are many different factors that contribute to fatigue and cognitive problems. Lack of sleep, high stress levels, and poor dietary choices can all lead to daytime grogginess.

Another common — and often undiagnosed — cause of fatigue is Vitamin B12 deficiency. Could this be an underlying source of your low energy levels?

In this post, we’ll explore how the body uses Vitamin B12 for energy. We’ll also reveal who’s prone to deficiencies and how you can safely boost your B12 levels. Keep reading to learn more.

What Is Vitamin B12?

All of the B vitamins, with the exception of folate, are linked to energy production inside the body.

Vitamin B12 (also called cobalamin) is one of many essential nutrients our body needs to function normally. Among other roles, it helps to form red blood cells, promotes healthy nervous system function, and plays a role in producing DNA.

Once thought of as a natural painkiller, Vitamin B12 is now used to treat many conditions, from anemia to neuropathy. As a dietary supplement, many people simply take B12 for an energy boost.

How Does Your Body Use B12 for Energy?

There are several ways the body uses B12 for energy.  Without giving you flashbacks to your high school biology class, here’s a brief overview of what B12 does inside your body.

The most basic function of B12 is to synthesize creatinine, carnitine, and coenzyme Q10. Your body needs each of these vital components for energy production.

Vitamin B12 also works in tandem with mitochondria, the powerhouses or “batteries” of the cell. During the citric acid cycle, B12 teams up with mitochondria to generate energy inside your body.

If your body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells — a condition known as anemia — your energy levels will suffer. This is because blood helps to transport oxygen to different areas of your body. Vitamin B12 plays an important role in blood production, helping you ward off anemia and maintain healthy energy levels.

When you’re under prolonged periods of stress, you may suffer from low levels of antioxidants. In turn, this leads to oxidative stress and (you guessed it) low energy levels. Vitamin B12 helps to correct any imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals in the body.

What Are the Benefits of Vitamin B12?

Now that you know how B12 works inside the body, how does that affect the way you feel?

The most obvious benefit is increased energy, but B12 does a lot more than that. It also:

  • Alleviates symptoms of depression
  • Improves the quality of your sleep
  • Promotes healthy weight loss
  • Helps you better focus and concentrate
  • Reduces the incidence of headaches and migraines
  • Supports circulation and heart health
  • Prevents bone loss from osteoporosis
  • Mitigates nerve pain and diabetic neuropathy

As you can see, Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Who’s Prone to B12 Deficiency?

It’s possible to get the daily recommended intake of B12 through a healthy, balanced diet. However, because of dietary restrictions or malabsorption issues, some people may struggle to get the B12 they need.

Individuals at higher risk for B12 deficiency include:

  • Pregnant women
  • Older adults/seniors
  • Vegans and vegetarians
  • Professional athletes
  • Those with pernicious anemia

How do you know if you’re getting enough B12? Here are some common signs and symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency:

  • Low energy levels
  • Brain fog
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision
  • “Pins and needles” sensation in your hands and feet
  • Depression, anxiety, or other mood changes

Of course, there are other reasons for these symptoms too, which is why it’s best to get checked out by your doctor. A simple blood test can reveal whether your B12 levels are normal or low (and what you should do next).

How Can You Boost Your B12 Levels?

You’ve probably seen lots of innovative ways to take vitamins — from pills to patches to vape pens — but which method is best?

First, take a look at your diet and see if you can more B12-rich foods to your daily menu. These include:

  • Beef
  • Lamb
  • Liver
  • Salmon
  • Clams
  • Tuna
  • Trout
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Bananas
  • Beans
  • Spinach
  • Nori
  • Mushrooms
  • Yogurt
  • Fortified cereals

Of course, some people simply can’t get all the B12 they need from diet alone. This is one reason why B12 is included in the most popular multivitamin supplements.

If your other vitamin levels are good and you’re only looking to take B12 for energy, you might consider a B12 patch. Simply apply the patch to your shoulder, back, or hip and get a steady dose of B12 for the next eight hours.

Our B12 Energy Plus Topical Patch is a terrific way to boost your energy and improve your wellbeing — without the burden of injections or pills.

Overcome Fatigue & Cognitive Problems With Vitamin B12

Vitamins won’t magically cure all of your problems, but they’re a vital step in maintaining your long-term health.

As we’ve discussed, Vitamin B12 plays an important role in many of your body’s processes. It can help you to overcome fatigue and brain fog, giving you more energy and focus throughout the day.

If you suspect you might have a B12 deficiency, talk to your doctor. A simple blood test can reveal your current vitamin levels and give you direction about what to do next.

The good news is that vitamin deficiencies are easy and affordable to treat with the products from PatchMD. Our patches are safe, discreet, and simple to use. Say goodbye to pills and injections and hello to the best way to take your daily vitamins!

Click here to browse our full list of patches, from Vitamin B12 for energy to specialty supplements for men, women, and children.

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