Denton County Living Well Magazine Fall 2014 | Page 23

A

The
Benefits of
Vitamin B12
Courtesy Avere Healthcare Clinic

re you feeling tired, or do
you lack the energy to do all
you want to do? This could
possibly be a result of a deficiency of
the energy-boosting nutrient called
vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 has long been known
for its health benefits. It is a watersoluble vitamin that is found in highest
levels in meat, fish, milk, and fortified
processed foods. B12 supplements are
available via oral tablets, sublingual
drops, and injections. Oral supplementation of vitamin B12 does not absorb
very well. Sublingual drops are better
than oral tablets, but the best way to
know that you are getting the B12 you
need is to take it via injection.
Signs of B12 deficiency can include
fatigue, weakness, insomnia, depression, easy bruising, numbness and
tingling in hands or feet, and memory
problems. B12 deficiency has also
been linked to migraine headaches and
menstrual irregularities. A few facts
about B12 include:
Recent research has shown that
higher levels of vitam