WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF B12 IN ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE?

Vitamin B12 assists the conversion in your body of carbohydrates into glucose.  Glucose is used for energy in the body. Before exercise, consumption of carbohydrates is suggested to have the energy to get through your workout. If you have a B12 deficiency, these carbohydrates will not properly be converted into energy, which will leave you feeling fatigued and unable to finish your workout.  If deficient in B12 it is impossible to athletical perform at an elite level. 

SO WHY ARE WE SO DEFICIENT in B12?

Vitamin B12 deficiency can occur in one of two ways- Either your diet lacks adequate amounts of it or your body is unable to fully absorb it from the food you eat.

THOSE AT RISK OF VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY

From the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services National Institute of Health Office of Dietary Supplements

• Older adults
• People with gastrointestinal disorders, 
• People who have had gastrointestinal surgeries.
• People on a vegan diet 
• People on a vegetarian diet
• Anyone who takes metformin for blood sugar control
• If you are taking proton pump inhibitors for chronic heartburn

Interactions with Medications

Vitamin B12 has the potential to interact with certain medications. In addition, several types of medications might adversely affect vitamin B12 levels. A few examples are provided below. Individuals taking these and other medications on a regular basis should discuss their vitamin B12 status with their healthcare providers.

Chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin®) is a bacteriostatic antibiotic. Limited evidence from case reports indicates that chloramphenicol can interfere with the red blood cell response to supplemental vitamin B12 in some patients [85].

Proton pump inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole (Prilosec®) and lansoprazole (Prevacid®), are used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease. These drugs can interfere with vitamin B12 absorption from food by slowing the release of gastric acid into the stomach [86-88]. However, the evidence is conflicting on whether proton pump inhibitor use affects vitamin B12 status [89-92]. As a precaution, healthcare providers should monitor vitamin B12 status in patients taking proton pump inhibitors for prolonged periods [85].

H2 receptor antagonists

Histamine H2 receptor antagonists, used to treat peptic ulcer disease, include cimetidine (Tagamet®), famotidine (Pepcid®), and ranitidine (Zantac®). These medications can interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12 from food by slowing the release of hydrochloric acid into the stomach. Although H2 receptor antagonists have the potential to cause vitamin B12 deficiency [93], no evidence indicates that they promote vitamin B12 deficiency, even after long-term use [92]. Clinically significant effects may be more likely in patients with inadequate vitamin B12 stores, especially those using H2 receptor antagonists continuously for more than 2 years [93].

Metformin

Metformin, a hypoglycemic agent used to treat diabetes, might reduce the absorption of vitamin B12 [94-96], possibly through alterations in intestinal mobility, increased bacterial overgrowth, or alterations in the calcium-dependent uptake by ileal cells of the vitamin B12-intrinsic factor complex [95,96]. Small studies and case reports suggest that 10%–30% of patients who take metformin have reduced vitamin B12 absorption [95,96]. In a randomized, placebo controlled trial in patients with type 2 diabetes, metformin treatment for 4.3 years significantly decreased vitamin B12 levels by 19% and raised the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency by 7.2% compared with placebo [97]. Some studies suggest that supplemental calcium might help improve the vitamin B12 malabsorption caused by metformin [95,96], but not all researchers agree [98].

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Vitamin%20B12-HealthProfessional/

Vitamin B12 is only found naturally in animal products. 

Even though some plant-based milks or grains may have been fortified with vitamin B12, vegan diets are often limited in this vitamin, putting people at risk of deficiency.

If you eat a healthy, varied diet, preventing a vitamin B12 deficiency should be easy. However, if you think that you might be at risk, speak to your doctor.

IMPORTANCE OF VITAMIN B12

Vitamin B12 is essential in the production of healthy red blood cells. Not having enough B12 results in B12 deficiency and potentially anaemia. Anaemia causes the body to produce larger than normal red blood cells. Described as megaloblastic, they do not provide oxygen to cells as efficiently. Therefore, the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is reduced, thereby reducing aerobic performance.  Vitamin B12 also contributes to the formation of the myelin sheath which enhances cognitive function by increasing transmission speed.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF B12 RECHARGER™

Benefits of Vitamin B12

From Healthline here are 9 health benefits of vitamin B12, all based on science.          

1. Helps With Red Blood Cell Formation and Anemia Prevention

SUMMARY

Vitamin B12 is involved in red blood cell formation. When vitamin B12 levels are too low, the production of red blood cells is altered, causing megaloblastic anemia.

1. Helps With Red Blood Cell Formation and Anemia Prevention

SUMMARY

Vitamin B12 is involved in red blood cell formation. When vitamin B12 levels are too low, the production of red blood cells is altered, causing megaloblastic anemia.

2. May Prevent Major Birth Defects

SUMMARY

Appropriate vitamin B12 levels are key to a healthy pregnancy. They’re important for the prevention of brain and spinal cord birth defects.

3. May Support Bone Health and Prevent Osteoporosis

SUMMARY

Vitamin B12 may play a vital role in your bone health. Low blood levels of this vitamin have been associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis.

4. May Reduce Your Risk of Macular Degeneration

SUMMARY

Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin B12 decreases homocysteine levels in your blood. This may help prevent the development of age-related macular degeneration.

5. May Improve Mood and Symptoms of Depression

SUMMARY

Vitamin B12 is needed for the production of serotonin, a chemical responsible for regulating mood. Vitamin B12 supplements may help improve mood in people with an existing deficiency.

6. May Benefit Your Brain by Preventing the Loss of Neurons

SUMMARY

Vitamin B12 may help prevent brain atrophy and memory loss. More research is needed to conclude if supplementing with this vitamin can improve memory in those without a deficiency.

7. May Give You an Energy Boost

SUMMARY

Vitamin B12 is involved in energy production in your body. Taking a supplement may improve your energy level, but only if you’re deficient in this vitamin.

8. May Improve Heart Health by Decreasing Homocysteine

SUMMARY

Vitamin B12 can decrease blood homocysteine, a type of amino acid that is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. However, research does not currently support the claim that vitamin B12 reduces this risk.

9. Supports Healthy Hair, Skin and Nails

SUMMARY

Healthy vitamin B12 levels are important for your hair, skin and nails. However, taking a supplement probably won’t improve your health in these areas if your levels are already sufficient.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-b12-benefits#section10

Benefits of B12 RECHARGER™

Vitamin B12 deficiency can most often be prevented or resolved with intramuscular injections but for better results! B-12 nanoparticles absorb faster.

The topic of Vitamin B12 and the blood brain barrier is a controversial one.  

The sublingual is the best method orally before there was nanoparticle spray sublingual available.

The question of whether the B12 passed the blood brain barrier is better answered with the direct absorption of nanoparticles.