Energy Stealer: A Vitamin B12 Deficiency Surprising research at Tufts University in Medford, MA, suggests that 40 percent of women could be deficient in vitamin B12 -- and one of the first signs of this nutrient shortfall is fatigue, since B12 helps convert food into energy. Common tip-offs: Blue moods, forgetfulness and achy joints. Anyone can be saddled with this deficiency, but your risk is especially high if you take absorption-stalling meds -- like those used to treat heartburn, cholesterol or diabetes -- or if you’re a vegetarian (since the best source of B12 is meat). Rx: Take sublingual B12. The problem with regular vitamin B12 supplements is that they can be tough to absorb if you’re not producing enough stomach acid -- or if your digestion is being compromised by prescription meds or health problems such as Crohn’s disease or colitis, say National Institute of Health (NIH) researchers. A smart option: 1,000 micrograms of sublingual B12 daily. These under-the-tongue tablets pass right through the mucous membrane of the mouth and into the bloodstream, and they can triple your B12 levels, and restore your flagging energy, in as little as one month, say researchers at Israel’s Tel Aviv University. You’ll find sublingual B12 in health and whole-foods stores, and in many pharmacies, too.
Posted on: Mon, 02 Sep 2013 00:28:34 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015