How Stress Contributes to B12 Deficiency and Weight Gain
Constantly struggling to lose weight? Correcting a B12 deficiency could reduce stress and promote weight loss.
The kids won’t stop bickering. The boss moved up a deadline at work. And, the in-laws want to know when is a good time to visit. Life can be stressful. Add a vitamin deficiency to the mix and suddenly, just mustering the strength to get out of bed can become a herculean effort.
When experiencing a vitamin deficiency, especially a B12 deficiency, there can be a wide array of symptoms that can intensify stress and make it extremely hard to achieve weight loss goals.
As we get older, it becomes harder and harder to process B12, often resulting in a deficiency.
B12 Deficiencies are Common – Especially Among Adults
The 2016 study, ‘Associations between Vitamin B-12 Status and Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Diabetic Vegetarians and Omnivores,’ published by the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) an estimated 3.2% of adults over the age of 50 have a seriously low level of B12. Furthermore, the study estimated that up to 20% could have a borderline deficiency.
Vitamin B12 deficiencies are most commonly caused by of lack of B12 consumption or your body’s inability to absorb the B12 you are consuming. On an everyday basis, we get B12 through foods such as meats, eggs, poultry, dairy products, and B12 enriched grains and breads.
This means those with vegetarian and vegan diets are at higher risk of having a below optimal vitamin b12 level. Fortunately, with proper consumption of vitamin b12 supplements, a deficiency can be avoided. Before making any major changes to your diet, like giving up meat or introducing a new vitamin, we strongly recommend speaking with a medical professional.
Celiac disease, Chron’s disease, and weight loss surgery can also interfere with your body’s ability to absorb B12. A lack of stomach acid, which is common in older adults, can also reduce your ability to process any B12 you consume orally. You will want to discuss your concerns and the proper course of action with your medical professional before making any changes.
As the everyday pressures of life increase, why deal with a B12 deficiency too?
B12 Deficiencies Can Heighten Stress and Anxiety
More than just a trendy health concern, B12 deficiencies have been shown to have a devastating impact on your mental wellbeing — contributing to stress and anxiety. Dr. Rajaprabhakaran Rajarethinam, a psychiatrist at Wayne State University School of Medicine wrote, “Depression, dementia and mental impairment are often associated with” a deficiency of B12 and its companion B vitamin folate.
Furthermore, the innish based study published in BioMed Central (BMC) revealed a correlation between B12 levels and a patient’s ability to halt depression symptoms. Namely, those with higher levels tended to have a higher success of coping with depression.
Losing weight can be tough. Don't let a B12 deficiency be another barrier between you and your weight loss goals.
B12 Deficiencies Can Reduce Your Ability to Lose Weight
The 2017 study conducted by English researchers and published in the official journal of The Obesity Society, revealed consistent evidence that chronic stress is associated with higher levels of obesity and health problems.
As a B12 deficiency places more stress on your body, it causes your body to work harder just perform everyday tasks and reduces your ability to lose weight. By increasing your B12, you may be able to reduce anxiety and stress, making it easier for you to find an emotional stress release.
Quickly correcting your B12 deficiency allows you to start feeling better and losing weight right away.
B12 Injections are the Quickest Way to Correct a B12 Deficiency
When it comes to correcting a B12 deficiency, speed is one of the primary concerns. You want to give your body this key vitamin as quickly as possible. While oral pills can help some patients, they take time for the body to process and absorb. Additionally, some patients simply aren’t able to absorb B12 orally.
A B12 injection delivers the vitamin directly into your bloodstream. By bypassing the digestive tract, your body can get what it needs, where it needs it, immediately.
Start Feeling Better & Losing Weight
Prior to administering a B12 injection, we require an initial consultation to determine if you are B12 deficient.
