Does Vitamin B12 Help With Anxiety?
Are your anxiety levels at an all-time high? Support your brain health with nutrition to ease your stress and reduce your anxiety.
- Are you often anxious? Do you find yourself constantly thinking back over things and worrying?
- Do you have to think through social plans to manage your stress and anxiety?
- Do you feel exhausted and worn out for as long as you can remember but also struggle to rest or get off to sleep as your mind just won't slow down?
- Do you wonder if this is how you will always feel?
You may dismiss these all-too-common concerns as the inevitable results of worry, anxiety, stress and normal life.
But could there be another explanation?
Anxiety is exhausting. Both physically and emotionally.
You have probably heard all the usual wellbeing advice to help with anxiety like exercise, getting into nature, mindfulness and breath work.
But have you also considered looking into nutrient deficiencies?
Could your feelings be down to a vitamin B12 deficiency?
The psychological symptoms of too little vitamin B12 creep up on us and therefore get ignored by many people. You adjust and think that it’s just how you are now. Or it’s just because I’m getting older.
You are anxious, sometimes confused, find it more difficult to recall things, more irritated or a low, and tend to be more nervous than you used to be.
Read on to find out how vitamin B12 helps to protect your nerves by supporting the normal function of the nervous system.
If you have to deal with anxiety or chronically stressful situations you need more vitamin B12 than usual.
These situations can be high mental or physical stress such as social anxiety, phobias, important deadlines, relationship break ups, or exams.
Life situations, that stress you and increase your anxiety can trigger strong, long-lasting negative emotions, like work performance, parenting, caring, abusive relationships, bullying, money worries, grief, loss, change, and difficulties at work.
It’s not uncommon for B12 levels to be low in people who are feeling anxious and stressed.
Some experts suggest that up to 40% of us could have critically low levels of B12.
Vitamin B12 is a crucial B vitamin.
It is essential for nerve tissue health, brain function, and the production of red blood cells.
Cobalamin is another name for vitamin B12.
You can become deficient when levels of vitamin B12 become too low to meet the demands of your body. Feeling stressed and anxious increases the demand for nutrients and can mean that your levels become low.
In the United States and United Kingdom, approximately 6% of adults aged 60 or younger have vitamin B12 deficiency. This rate jumps to 20% in people older than 60.
Vitamin B12 is absolutely essential for maintaining healthy brain function and promoting positive moods. Interestingly B12 happens to be the largest and most complex of all the vitamins. This impressive nutrient is responsible for a wide range of roles in the brain and nervous system.
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As you can imagine your nervous system relies on having adequate B12 to function correctly. This also means that conversely, a lack of B12 can cause major problems with anxiety and mood.
The role of B vitamins in managing your mental health is not well known but there is a huge amount of scientific research which shows that they are crucial for helping with anxiety, depression and stress.
These capsules have really helped to regulate my mood. I am no longer overwhelmed by the frequent changes in my mood that I used to experience. After going through a tough time recently I was often anxious and would feel down and like I could never relax and enjoy any down time. These capsules have helped to stabilise these feelings and provide clarity, allowing me to feel like I’m able to start enjoying life again. When I do still have a down or anxious moment, which is completely normal and part of life, it doesn’t feel so overwhelming and I’m able to identify it and respond in a healthy and practical way. Thank you M + E for your help and support Lauren |
Your level of vitamin B12 plays an important role in your anxiety and depression studies have shown.
The data proved that the vitamin B12 level in more than 50% of patients with depression/anxiety was low and that supplementing with vitamin B12 was found to be an effective at reducing symptoms.
There are reasons why you use up more vitamin B12 when you are anxious or in stressful situations:
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So not only are you not producing as much as normal but you are using it up really quickly too. You become depleted and it leads to glitches in your brain and nervous system.
It's relatively straightforward to treat but, left unchecked, may result in low mood, anxiety, and cognitive issues.
There is a pioneering mental health vitamin range called M+E. They make multi-nutrients designed by a psychologist and full of the most powerful, bioavailable form of vitamin B12 to help with your anxiety, depression and low energy.
I started taking Mood ME at a period of time where I was having high anxiety and experiencing dread about my daily life (work). Within 3 days I noticed an improvement in my mood, I was not being sick regularly in the mornings which is something I attributed to my anxiety.
Enya |
Read on to find out whether you could be deficient, and what to do about it... Vitamin B12 is a crucial B vitamin. Vitamin B12 affects the functioning of every cell in the human body. Vitamin B12 is crucial for the release of energy, for the production of neurotransmitters and for the normal function of the brain and the nervous system. It is also involved in the formation of red blood cells and helps to create and regulate DNA. B12 works in synergy with vitamin B9 (commonly known as folic acid). This means that a deficiency in either nutrient can cause problems. |
The metabolism of every cell in your body depends on vitamin B12.
Since vitamin B12 is also responsible for producing hormones and neurotransmitters, essential for keeping our brain and mental health balanced and fully functioning.
An insufficient supply can lead to anxiety, memory problems, poor concentration, depressive moods and a reduced ability to cope with stress.
Vitamin B – above all vitamin B12 – is food for our nerves. It’s vital for them to function normally and for stressed nerves to regenerate.
Unfortunately, so many people remain unaware of this deficiency because the signs are often so subtle.
Am I low in B12?
12 Subtle Signs Your Body Lacks B12
There are several reasons why we use up more vitamin B12 when you are anxious or in stressful situations.
- Exhaustion, fatigue and feeling tired no matter how much sleep you get
- Anxiety
- Constant low mood
- Muscle weakness
- Brain fog and forgetfulness
- Irritability, uncontrollable mood swings, and feeling like you’re low and flat
- Feeling cold or lightheaded
- Pins and needles or tingling in your fingers and toes
- Dull, brittle hair, and weak nails that crack easily
- Red sore tongue and mouth ulcers
- Shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and rapid heartbeat
- Nausea, poor appetite
So why am I deficient in B12?
Anxiety and Stress
There are several reasons why we use up more vitamin B12 when you are anxious or in stressful situations. The production of hormones like serotonin, adrenalin, and noradrenalin, in particular, significantly increases vitamin B12 consumption. The unusually high consumption of vitamin B12 can lead to an insufficient supply of it – and a vicious cycle starts.
The unusually high consumption of vitamin B12 can lead to an insufficient supply of it – and a vicious cycle starts.
Vegan or Vegetarian
It is especially important for vegans and vegetarians as the main source of B12 in food is in meat.
Good sources of vitamin B12
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Low stomach acid
Simply getting older can also increase your risk of becoming B12 deficient, as our production of stomach acid decreases.
Good levels of stomach acid are necessary for effective B12 absorption.
Genetic glitches
All humans have a gene called the MTHFR gene which is responsible for converting some vitamins into their usable state by the body.
It is estimated that 60% of the U.S. and 40% of Australian and British people population have a mutation to this gene.
For all individuals who have the gene abnormality, the absorption of B-complex vitamins is either largely inefficient or lacking altogether.
So those vitamins remain mostly unabsorbed, and can simply build up to the point of toxicity.
Unable to absorb vitamins
Methylated vitamins are the active versions of vitamins which your body can readily make use of, while un-methylated vitamins must go through a conversion process before your body can actually use them.
The problem is that many people are unable to make that conversion in their bodies because they have a genetic mutation that prevents it.
Taking methylated B vitamins means that you can absorb them in a body ready form.
Sometimes this is the key that unlocks the optimal functioning of our brains and bodies.
Different types of B12 The form of vitamin B12 you need to look for:
The form of vitamin B9 you need to look for:
Unfortunately, so many people remain unaware of this |
How Vital Is B12 To Your Health?
B12 is essential for maximum energy, proper nerve development, balanced brain chemistry, and even good digestion and a healthy heart.
In fact, your body craves B12 to keep your nerves and cells healthy.
It replenishes and revitalises the entire body... it energises you naturally.
Simply put: B12 plays a fundamental role in your health and happiness, and you should not overlook it – ever.
Because without enough? Life can be pretty miserable.
It’s especially rough if you’re living a high-stress lifestyle.
That’s because stress and going non-stop can cause rapid depletion of your B12.
The Bottom Line On B12...
The benefits of B12 are numerous.
From a surge in your energy levels to brighter, clearer thinking to happier, more even mood.
Healthy levels of B12 mean a healthier, more balanced you.
Yet, it’s highly likely that right now you are grossly deficient in this crucial vitamin (and may not even know it).
And, even if you are supplementing, your body is most likely failing to absorb and put those delicate nutrients to good use.
Fortunately, the solution is easy.
Take some high-quality (methylated) B12 every single day and just watch your health, your energy, and your entire life will become supercharged. It's amazing how nutrients can help isn't it?
M+E multi nutrients have loads of methylated B12 in them. Enough to boost your levels even if you are depleted and very deficient.
FIND OUT HOW MUCH B12 MOOD ME HAS HERE
High levels of B vitamins
Yes the levels are high. This is to quickly reboot and correct levels in people with deficiencies. The fact that all the B vitamins are in their methylated form (eg folate rather folic acid) they are far less likely to form any toxic build up. Methylation is key to bioavailability. Especially if you have a glitch on your MTHFR gene.
B vitamins are water soluble so any excess is usually excreted - which means that they need to be regularly taken. Your brain works best with a continuous supply of about 40 nutrients and B vitamins are especially important. The RDA limits are set very low and many studies (see below) have shown that significantly higher levels are more beneficial.
Here's to B12 - who knew how much one vitamin could change your health? Take care of yourself, |
Here is an independent review of B vitamins including dosages towards the end of the article:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4772032/
Extract:
"As B vitamins are water-soluble, any excess is generally excreted in urine. On the one hand, this means they are typically safe at doses much higher than the RDA, but on the other hand, they require a more consistent consumption than the fat soluble vitamins. In terms of safety, only three of the eight B-vitamins have been ascribed any upper limit for daily consumption, with the remainder considered safe at any dose.
A very sizeable proportion of the populations of developed countries are suffering deficiency or marginal deficiency in one or more B vitamins. Just as the minimum daily requirement of many micronutrients is simply unknown at present, the optimal level has received no attention at all. As one review paper notes, even the governmental agencies responsible for defining dietary recommendations acknowledge that the benefits of micronutrient consumption may continue on a continuum well above the RDA. Clearly, common sense dictates that the optimal level of consumption of any nutrient will not merely be the level that prevents diseases related to a deficiency, or even marginal deficiency, in that nutrient.
In general, epidemiological evidence suggests that the benefits of B vitamins extend well beyond the accepted biochemical cut-offs for deficiency or marginal deficiency and that consuming the RDA for some B vitamins would still leave large proportions of the population at risk of insufficiency. Indeed, there would seem to be little evidence for supplementing with the bare minimum requirement (RDA) given the dose-response to B vitamins in terms of bioavailability and physiological benefits."
https://sciendo.com/article/10.1515/jbcr-2017-0023
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441923/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7077099/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6770181/
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