“Take your vitamins,” they told you when you were younger. Back then, vitamins probably looked more like your favorite cartoon character than the life-supporting powerhouses they are, and we wouldn’t blame you if you grew up thinking that taking them was more chore than healthy habit.
But we’re here to change your perspective.
Dr. Tiffany Su, our aesthetic and wellness expert at Skin Shop MedSpa in Houston, Texas, wants you to fully understand just how beneficial vitamins are to your health, inside and out. Here’s what you should know about one of the most essential vitamins: vitamin B12.
Many believe that having adequate levels of vitamin B12 can significantly reduce a type of amino acid found in your bloodstream called homocysteine, which can lead to age-related macular degeneration.
You may know that your bones thrive on a steady supply of calcium, but did you know they also need vitamin B12? It’s true. Vitamin B12 has been shown to improve bone density and reduce the risk of conditions like osteoporosis.
Pregnant? Then getting enough vitamin B12 should be on the top of your prenatal to-do list. Sufficient B12 levels contribute to proper brain and nervous system development in the womb.
If you have a B12 deficiency, you may be more likely to give birth to a child with birth defects and/or experience a premature birth or miscarriage.
Vitamin B12 is a key player in your body’s ability to produce healthy red blood cells. Why does that matter? Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. As they return, they carry carbon dioxide with them, which your lungs exhale. Without a steady supply of oxygen, the rest of your body can’t function properly.
Vitamin B12 ensures that your red blood cells are the proper size and shape to allow efficient movement throughout your body. If your red blood cells are too large or irregularly shaped, they don’t function properly, and you can quickly become anemic.
If you’re in a good mood, you can thank serotonin — a hormone responsible for regulating your mood. You can also thank vitamin B12 because it plays a role in both creating and metabolizing serotonin. Getting enough vitamin B12 can help you avoid mood swings, and may even reduce your risk for serious mental health issues, such as depression.
Like any other part of your anatomy, your brain can atrophy over time and lose precious neurons. If the thought of your brain slowly withering away scares you, we understand. Without neurons, you can suffer from memory loss and dementia.
But, if you get enough vitamin B12, you can be proactive and stop Father Time from attacking your brain long before you’ve gone over the hill.
This is perhaps the No. 1 reason why our patients see us for IV therapy. Vitamin B12 has long been lauded as the go-to energy booster. It maintains this reputation even though it doesn’t make energy itself — it simply aids your body’s natural energy production. Therefore, supplying your body with vitamin B12 gives it the support it needs to make energy on its own, which is more sustainable than energy drinks or coffee.
Dry skin, brittle nails, stringy hair, oh my! If you want to avoid these frustrating cosmetic concerns, vitamin B12 may be the best place to start. Vitamin B12 is a natural way to support strong, healthy skin, hair, and nails and can even help you avoid other dermatologic issues, including hyperpigmentation, nail discoloration, and hair changes.
Remember the amino acid we mentioned earlier that causes macular degeneration? Well, it can also contribute to an increased risk for heart disease. Vitamin B12 can keep your homocysteine levels in check and keep you healthier for longer.
Typically, you get vitamin B12 from your diet, but age, lifestyle factors, medical conditions, and even some surgeries can make it difficult for you to absorb and use it.
A mild deficiency may not cause symptoms, but if you’re really running low, your body can tell you in a few ways:
If you suspect you have a deficiency, there’s no need to panic. We offer IV therapy that helps you fill in the gaps by delivering essential vitamins and minerals directly into your bloodstream. Because we streamline the process, your body can use the nutrients right away, giving you nearly instant results.
Ready to see what life is like when you have all the nutrients you need? Call or click to schedule an appointment for IV therapy at our Houston, Texas, office today.
