Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in various foods. The vitamin is used in the form of injections and supplements for people who want quick weight loss. According to various reports, vitamin B-12 can improve metabolism and energy level.

However, the effectiveness of vitamin B-12 on weight loss does not have a straight answer. In this article, we shall learn if vitamin B-12 helps in weight loss or not.

Why our body needs vitamin B-12?

Vitamin B-12 is required in the formation of DNA and red blood cells. It is an essential vitamin for the cardiovascular system, and brain function and helps boost energy levels. Vitamin B-12 is easily found in various foods but in certain situations, a supplement is used to meet the deficiency.

How to know if I have Vitamin B-12 deficiency?

Some of the common symptoms of Vitamin B-12 deficiency include –

• Feeling tired
• Weakness
• Anxiety
• Diarrhea
• Shortness of breath
• Tingling sensation in fingers

Effect of Vitamin B-12 on weight loss

There is not much evidence to support if or not vitamin B-12 is effective in weight loss. Some research says deficiency may cause an increase in fat deposits and others believe it may not affect obesity.

Causes of Vitamin B-12 deficiency

• In elderly people, there is less production of hydrochloric acid and hence poor absorption of vitamin B-12.
• Medical conditions such as anemia, and a history of gastrointestinal surgery lead to poor absorption of vitamin B-12.
• Problems related to the digestive system such as celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease can lead to deficiency.
• As vitamin B-12 is mostly found in animal-based foods hence vegetarians may need supplements.

Let us know the possible ways how vitamin B-12 can helps in weight loss.

It may directly or indirectly affect weight loss. For example, its direct effect on metabolism can help lose weight. The above-listed causes of vitamin B-12 deficiency impact body weight.

Vitamin B-12 and energy level

Your energy level decreases if there is insufficient oxygen supply to the organs and body parts. This usually happens when the body has a low red blood cell level as a result it becomes difficult to transport oxygen to different body parts. This makes you feel weak, lethargic, and fatigued and you become physically inactive which may result in obesity or overweight.

Vitamin B-12 is one of the essential vitamins that help in the formation of red blood cells and this increases the transportation of oxygen-rich blood to all the body parts. It reverses the symptoms and boosts energy. This helps a person remain active and burn fat.

Mental health issues – obesity – Vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-12 is known to manage mental health problems such as stress and anxiety as it checks the proper function of the nervous system. With the deficiency of this vitamin, there may occur damage to the outer layer of the nerves (myelin sheath). As a result, mental health problems arise resulting in weight gain.

Mental health issues cause a lack of motivation or lack of interest in getting engaged in any activities. Feeling lethargic and always tired limits a person’s activity and this leads to a sedentary lifestyle. Limited body movement affects metabolism and there is more tendency to put on weight.

In mental health issues, vitamin B-12 supplements can work to make the nerves healthy and regain their optimum function. With the recovery of mental health, one can achieve their weight loss target.

Metabolism- obesity – Vitamin B-12

Proper nutrients and vitamins are essential components of a healthy metabolism. The deficiency of Vitamin B-12 disables the ability to use energy. This sends a message to the body to store more fat as a reserve for energy. In people with a low level of vitamin B-12, supplements can be useful to regain the proper metabolic function.

Ways to administer Vitamin B-12

When your healthcare provider confirms a deficiency of vitamin B-12, He/she may recommend a supplement in the form of –

• Vitamin B-12 injection
• B-12 pills or tablets
• Diet modification

Conclusion

It is still unclear if Vitamin B-12 deficiency causes weight gain or not. However, from this article, we at least know how Vitamin B-12 can help manage certain health conditions which may boost the weight loss process. One thing we know for sure is the role of nutrients in weight loss. A nutrient-rich diet will meet the body’s requirement for vitamin B-12 and also help in weight loss.