A deficiency takes years
But you deplete your stock of vitamin B12 in so many different ways, for example by drinking alcohol. Even if your intake is sufficient, the conversion and absorption of it can still be far from optimal. Symptoms of a low vitamin B12 level are often very vague, but the damage from a deficiency (such as nerve damage) can be serious and irreversible. So let’s check this one out!
What does vitamin B12 do?
- Helps reduce fatigue
- Contributes to an optimal functioning of the nervous system
- Good for the mood
- Supports the immune system and contributes to good resistance
- Good for memory
- Good for energy levels
- Good for academic performance and concentration
Measuring is knowing
By means of a blood test (via the general practitioner or via bloedwaardentest.nl) you can very easily find out how your vitamin B12 status is doing. It is recommended for people over 50 and plant eaters (vegetarians and vegans) to supplement vitamin B12 anyway. A blood test can then mainly be a check to see if the form of supplementation has the desired effect and if the dosage is sufficient.
With the discount code pronofit25 you will receive a 25 euro discount on a vitamin B12 blood test!
Different ways of supplementing
There are different variants of vitamin B12 supplementation. For example, there are tablets, lozenges, injections, and also a nasal spray. The natural form of vitamin B12 (as it occurs in nature) is hydroxocobalamin.
Supplementing via a tablet is often not ideal because the absorption of B12 is influenced by a protein (called intrinsic factor) in the gastrointestinal tract and the ability of the intestinal wall to absorb the vitamin. Without intrinsic factor, vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed into the blood, which is crucial. One of the major causes of a deficiency is reduced absorption via the stomach and intestines, which is especially a big problem in the elderly, but also in many young people. Hence, those over 50 fall into the risk group.
We ourselves use the vitamin B12 nasal spray and also recommend it to our clients. This is not a nasal spray for colds and is absolutely not addictive. The nasal mucosa is a very well-vascularized surface that allows substances to be quickly and efficiently absorbed and then distributed throughout the body via the blood. This way you bypass the gastrointestinal tract. Once a week is sufficient for an average person to maintain their vitamin B12 levels, but you can safely use the nasal spray daily. Any excess is safely excreted via the urine, so it doesn’t hurt if it doesn’t help.
