If you’re considering taking vitamin B12 supplements as part of your weight loss regimen, then you’re off to a good start. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) helps your body break down fatty acids and amino acids in boosting energy, while it also aids in digestion. Listed are some other ways that taking vitamin B12 shots or over-the-counter supplements can help you manage your weight and stick to a healthy diet.
Vitamin B12 supports many important functions throughout your body, including healthy metabolism of fat and carbohydrates.
So, it’s not surprising that many bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts like to use mega doses of vitamin B12 to increase energy and sustain good muscle development.
Benefits of B12 on weight loss
Here are some excellent reasons to include vitamin B12 supplementation as part of your weight loss plan:
Energy!
Vitamin B12 helps your body produce plenty of healthy red blood cells which are needed to deliver oxygen to your brain, heart, digestive system, endocrine glands…everywhere. Lack of oxygen makes you feel fatigued and dizzy- which makes it difficult to keep your energy levels up while exercising.
By keeping the flow of oxygen elevated, vitamin B12 helps to enhance stamina, mental focus, and good balance- things you need to stay in the game!
Metabolism!
Vitamin B12 aids in DNA synthesis and normal metabolic functioning- this is especially helpful if you’re trying to lose weight, but have a sluggishly slow metabolism.
Vitamin B12 helps to keep the metabolic juices flowing!
Mood!
Sometimes, depression and anxiety make it harder for you to stick to a weight loss program. Research shows that maintaining healthy levels of vitamin B12 in your blood supply is one of the best ways to prevent psychological and cognitive problems that often occur with vitamin B12 deficiency.
To prevent binging on your diet, emotional eating, or other food-related disorders, it’s important to keep your mood in check by maintaining healthy vitamin B12 levels.
How much vitamin B12 is best?
To improve your efforts at weight loss, or just to maintain normal vitamin B12 levels and promote good health, experts recommend taking 1,000mcg of vitamin B12 weekly, bi-weekly, or as often as needed.
There is no upper limit established by the FDA for vitamin B12 supplementation, so it’s safe to take vitamin B12 as often as you like, with no risk for overdosing.
The best forms of vitamin B12 are those that are absorbed directly into your blood stream- vitamin B12 shots are popular, and most often recommended for people with severe vitamin B12 deficiency.
For maximum benefit, you can combine vitamin B12 injections with OTC vitamin B12 supplements. For people who have difficulty getting enough vitamin B12 from their health insurance providers, this is an especially helpful tactic.
Please tell us…
Do you take vitamin B12 for weight loss, or to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency? Have you noticed a difference in energy levels?
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
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