What's the Big Deal About B12, Anyway?
B12 helps iron to do its job, helps to produce red blood cells, and creates the oxygen carrying portion of hemoglobin, which is necessary in many ways. It is the oxygen that keeps the body ph balanced, keeps the cells flexible, open, and receiving nutrients, and it is the oxygen that carries nutrients everywhere in the body. Without proper oxygen, red blood cells and nutrients, one will constantly feel tired, ill, sore, inflexible, and stressed. This nutrient then is obviously related to the action of the adrenal cortex and the resulting adrenal fatigue.
No matter the source, B12 is made from microorganisms. With our tendency towards desiring to eradicate all microorganisms and bacteria, we are reducing the formation of B12. It is possible that anyone that has ever had antibiotics might also be susceptible to deficiency.
“B12 is the only vitamin that is not recognized as being reliably supplied from a varied wholefood, plant-based diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, together with exposure to sun.” It makes sense, then that deficiencies in B12 and Vitamin D go hand in hand. It could be that people are eating enough B12 containing foods, but without the necessary exposure to the sun, they are still resulting as deficient.
The story doesn’t end there, it could be due to restriction of enzyme related B12 activity, which wreaks havoc on homocysteine levels, which contribute to all kinds of chronic disease, like thyroid disorder, anxiety, and heart disease. It is interesting to note, on an experiential level, the feelings of stress and adrenal fatigue and how these affect the feelings of the heart.
The body doesn’t make B12, therefore it has to get it from food. Certain conditions like anemia, poor metabolism, intestinal inflammation, bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO, Crohns, colitis, or acid reducing meds all make it hard to absorb and utilize B12 and deficiencies develop. Also, because much of our B12 intake is from meats, those that eat with a Vegan lifestyle can become deficient if they are not well versed in the supply needs of B12. Sources are grains, meats, eggs, fish, and vegan sources include blackstrap molasses, nutritional yeast, and supplementation, but again, no matter what their source, it is the microorganism from which it is derived. Some plant milks like soy or almond or coconut have been fortified with B12.
All B vitamins are absolutely essential. Not only are they the nutrient that helps convert our nutrients into usable sources of energy, but they feed and nourish the body’s nervous and electrical systems. It would make sense if adrenal fatigue or insufficiency is present, the body’s main powerhouse of energy, there must be an overutilization of energy nutrients, or the body isn’t getting in enough, or they are not being used properly, just to keep the body running.
B vitamins also are not stored in the body. They need to be repeated throughout the day and if they only form they are coming in is from grains or meats, that could be a real problem if the body isn’t digesting properly, which it isn’t because it’s fatigued, so its a real vicious cycle.
This is why I work to support the foundational glands and organs, so that it can regulate nutrients properly on its own, rather than to mask what the body is doing with the nutrients it is getting in. Taking supplements, and people feel better, then they stop, but the gland hasn’t been functionalized yet. Like I said, it’s okay to take individual nutrients for a time as a “bridge” to get through until the body balances, but be sure to keep supporting the adrenals and making life changes as well.