Cobalamin, AKA Vitamin B12
Cobalamin, better known by its name vitamin B12, is a uniquely powerful and complex B-vitamin included in the Kinetik Nanobite formula. What does B12 do exactly, you ask? As an essential nutrient, B12 does an impressive number of tasks to ensure our overall health: it regulates serotonin in our neural pathways, helps create red blood cells, and is a crucial element for brain and nerve system function, among other roles.
Like vitamin B7, the human body needs B12 but cannot synthesize it on its own, meaning we ingest it via our diet. One interesting thing about B12 is that it is almost exclusively found in animal-based foods; there are no naturally-occurring plant foods that contain vitamin B12. However, some manufacturers of products like fortified cereals, plant-based milks, and nutritional yeast supplement their products with the B12 vitamin. [1] Naturally-occurring B12 is found in foods like liver, other meats, dairy products, and eggs.
Fun Fact: Animals store vitamin B12 in their liver, making the organ a rich source of the nutrient and an effective food to counter anemia. Physician George Whipple discovered this in an experiment in the 1920s, wherein he found that dogs with anemia from blood loss would almost immediately recover after eating raw liver.
Experiencing B12 Deficiency
Unlike some of its relatives in the B-Complex family, B12 deficiency is a problem, though fairly uncommon outside people with certain risk factors. Older folks are more vulnerable to the negative health impacts of B12 deficiency; in the United States, six percent of people 60 years old or younger have a B12 deficiency, but that number jumps up to 20 percent for people older than 60 years of age, speaking to the sensitivity of aging folks to develop pernicious anemia or memory loss. [2] Vegans and vegetarians, similarly, may be at risk for B12 deficiency unless they take supplements to ensure they’re getting enough B12. [1] Deficiency can lead to anemia, and as a critical compound for neurological functioning, people lacking in the vitamin may exhibit headaches, numbness in limbs, confusion, memory loss, or depression. People struggling with disease or gastrointestinal issues may also have a lower intake level of B12 in their diets.
Since B12 helps regulate your brain’s dispatch of serotonin, it makes sense that those not getting enough of the vitamin may experience shifts in mood or bouts of depression. Research indicates that adequate B12 intake may help prevent or stave off depression. In one study, researchers looked at people with depression and “vitamin B12 levels on the low side of normal,” finding that those who took B12 in addition with antidepressants faired better than those who only took the antidepressants. [3] Similarly, the science suggests that B12 may help slow the brain atrophy that leads to dementia or other forms of mental decline. A study with early-stage dementia patients showed that a cocktail of B12 and omega-3 fatty acids helped to slow the mental decline. [3]
There are other benefits reported for the inclusion of adequate or supplemental B12 in the diet, including healthy skin, hair, and nails and boosts of energy. But you don’t have to take our word for it. B12’s health benefits are intentionally infused in our Kinetik products–because wellbeing is an ongoing process and we all lead incredibly busy lives. And a mind is a beautiful thing to waste, so we’re making it a practice to supplement people’s overall health where we can.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is provided for general information and educational purposes only. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product.
References:
[1] “Vitamin B12: Fact Sheet for Consumers.” National Institute of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. July 2021.
[2] Felman, Adam. “Vitamin B12 benefits, food sources, deficiency symptoms, and all else you need to know.” Medical News Today. December 2021.
[3] Berkheiser, Kaitlyn. “9 Health Benefits of Vitamin B12, Based on Science.” Healthline. October 2022.
