tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post7458116651720572506..comments2024-02-19T17:28:57.590-05:00Comments on THE CANDID RD: Who Should Take a B-12 Supplement?Gina; The Candid RDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13034788087113648183noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-14403646399794012222011-09-15T09:43:26.923-04:002011-09-15T09:43:26.923-04:00January of this year I was sure I had mono. My dr...January of this year I was sure I had mono. My dr. ran labs and turns out my B12 level was low (as well as folate). No mono. But that was the effect my B12 deficiency had. Sluggish, weak, SO tired, just zero energy, and my body ached all over. My level at that time was 212. The "normal" range is 200-1,000. After some research, there are folks who believe 200 isn't even close to normal. And in Japan, their “normal” level is 1,000. Anything less, they supplement to raise the level. I got a B12 shot that day and began taking supplements of 1,000 mcg a day. Retested 3 months later and was at 315. Still not great, but better, and I felt better, but not 100% myself. I was then told to increase the supplement to 2,000 mcg a day (33,333% of daily recommended value), and I also ordered B12 patches and started eating 2 eggs a day (bleh!). Retested last week and I am at 331. Obviously, I likely have absorption issues, but also could be due to 2 surgeries I had the year before, as B12 is stored in your liver and I read reserves can be depleted with surgery. I will continue to do whatever it takes to increase my levels. My goal is 500. B12, as well as folic acid, are needed to produce red blood cells and for nerve and brain function. Low levels can cause inflammation in the nerves and dementia. I wasn’t demented, but my nerves were definitely affected! I am a firm believer in b12 supplements now and the benefits of maintaining a high level of b12.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-70583036473513417982011-04-11T18:52:10.966-04:002011-04-11T18:52:10.966-04:00Great post on a great topic! I haven't had any...Great post on a great topic! I haven't had anyone tell me (yet) that they take B12 for energy but I'm not surprised that there are people who do. It kind of reminds me of the 5-hour energy drink! Aren't they filled with lots of vitamin B (as well as caffeine)? Also, I love that you mention vegan sources of B12 as well!Jen @ What's on Jen's Plate?http://whatsonjensplate.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-35878102618200724082011-04-11T15:01:39.782-04:002011-04-11T15:01:39.782-04:00I love this post! B12 is coined the "energy v...I love this post! B12 is coined the "energy vitamin" and when I try to educate, people just don't get it. You did a great job of explaining how treating the deficiency is what can increase energy, not the vitamin itself. :)Nicole, RDhttp://preventionrd.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-65280188830571560342011-04-11T14:32:52.422-04:002011-04-11T14:32:52.422-04:00After reading this I think I should look into taki...After reading this I think I should look into taking a B12 supplement b/c I don't eat (or don't eat near enough)the food mentioned above. Hmmmm.....Kristahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14597868827300760281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-1226762735855745222011-04-11T13:36:39.489-04:002011-04-11T13:36:39.489-04:00Great info! The elderly are a big one with higher...Great info! The elderly are a big one with higher needs because they have decreased absorption.MelindaRDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16523272874667790035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-45780352162116547982011-04-11T09:35:34.151-04:002011-04-11T09:35:34.151-04:00Can you further explain the symptoms of b12 defici...Can you further explain the symptoms of b12 deficiency?Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthdayhttp://www.gamereviewwiki.com/bikinibirthdaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-16882201557867512822011-04-11T09:23:03.872-04:002011-04-11T09:23:03.872-04:00Interesting. I've also heard people with celia...Interesting. I've also heard people with celiac can be severely deficient in vitamin D.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-54412647610569766932011-04-11T08:50:51.050-04:002011-04-11T08:50:51.050-04:00This was such an informative post gina but now I&#...This was such an informative post gina but now I'm not sure if I should take a b12 supplement or not. I think I get plenty, I eat fish 2 x's a week and eat fortified cereal at least 3 times a week...I guess I just always remember my professors saying it is rare to have a b 12 deficiency so I never focused on that nutrient. How quickly research changes!thehealthyapronhttp://www.thehealthyapron.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-76055120356813044472011-04-11T06:39:15.221-04:002011-04-11T06:39:15.221-04:00I'm surprised it made you do racy. I'm int...I'm surprised it made you do racy. I'm intrigued about the issues absorbing nutrients you mentioned. I don't take B's but do eat lots of foods containing them. I always feel B's work together and to supplement all or none.Laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17713676282787688389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-19141235755590451822011-04-10T21:19:09.808-04:002011-04-10T21:19:09.808-04:00I just saw B12 supplements in Whole Foods today, h...I just saw B12 supplements in Whole Foods today, haha!Jesshttp://www.1chaturanga.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-43401875106078922872011-04-10T20:03:52.631-04:002011-04-10T20:03:52.631-04:00Good topic! We see the B-12 shots for energy all t...Good topic! We see the B-12 shots for energy all the time in pop culture, as in which celebrity is getting them. The average person doesn't need to spend their money doing that- I'm with you, use your food!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-26929198792002275392011-04-10T19:48:22.698-04:002011-04-10T19:48:22.698-04:00i'm so glad you posted about this! i think i&#...i'm so glad you posted about this! i think i'd like to start taking a b12 supp to see if it helps out with some digestive issues. i've been lurving the fod and everything but still have those not so fun digestion moments haha. i hope it's not expensive!Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08851186270653937509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-5968397224684472382011-04-10T18:32:20.098-04:002011-04-10T18:32:20.098-04:00Scary that a vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to de...Scary that a vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to dementia! I didn't realize that nutritional yeast was so such a good source of vitamin B12. Great post :)Kaseyhttp://www.fitforwellness.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-21053368278444479572011-04-10T17:30:46.136-04:002011-04-10T17:30:46.136-04:00i have heard it is good for energy too! i eat a l...i have heard it is good for energy too! i eat a lot nutritional yeast as well and i am not a vegan either :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-74979678453958790702011-04-10T13:33:43.327-04:002011-04-10T13:33:43.327-04:00A friend of mine with whom a ran cross country in ...A friend of mine with whom a ran cross country in high school used to take massive amounts of a B-complex and she would swear up and down that it gave her massive amounts of energy. At the time, I was like, "wow, that sounds great!", but in retrospect, she was a naturally energetic person who never seemed to rest. Placebo effect, perhaps? It wasn't until I started learning about nutrition that I discovered that supplements like B12 mostly have an effect in people who are deficient (sadly, often these are the people who are not taking the supplement!). I'm so glad you discovered this deficiency so that you could correct it (sorry to hear about your sleepless night, though!). Hope you sleep better tonight!Jessiehttp://thehappinessinhealth.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-35320287296150129212011-04-10T10:35:47.398-04:002011-04-10T10:35:47.398-04:00I have some relatives who drink these expensive B1...I have some relatives who drink these expensive B12 soda drinks, and insist that it gives them energy. How funny that it's not true!Rachel (tea and chocolate)http://loveteaandchocolate.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-56785315765092530442011-04-09T10:28:47.501-04:002011-04-09T10:28:47.501-04:00I take B12, although not everyday. I know B vitami...I take B12, although not everyday. I know B vitamins are water soluble, although I have read about possible B12 affects through taking exceedingly large doses over time. Love nutritional yeast! What do you use it on everyday?FoodFitnessFreshairhttp://foodfitnessfreshair.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5287299798491768678.post-29714497363700414372011-04-09T07:53:35.957-04:002011-04-09T07:53:35.957-04:00For some reason I'm having trouble understandi...For some reason I'm having trouble understanding this...<br /><br />If you need more B12, you have less energy and then when you take B12, it gives you energy- but then when you continue taking it, you go back to where you were before in terms of energy?Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04415604174106394910noreply@blogger.com