Vitamin B12 for Energy?

George wrote to ask "...my energy levels have been down so after much researching on the internet I saw dozens of articles about how Vitamin B12 helps restore energy levels. Do you think this is true? Would Vitamin B12 help with my knee pain? How much Vitamin B12 should I take a day?"

Good question George.  I have also read many articles on B12 from the internet, ranging from implied claims that B12 helps regain memory loss; helps energy levels especially in older people; enhances immune systems; and even helping with mood swings. Of course claims that supplements help or fix diseases are verboten by the FDA.   

Many sources to include the American Journal for Clinical Nutrition believe that many Americans, possibly over half, are chronically deficient in Vitamin B12. It is my belief that most Americans are deficient in most, it not all, nutrients as the quality of the food supply is much less than it has been and we Americans are eating much more processed foods.

It is also my belief that no single Vitamin is the miracle nutrient. I have warned people for years not to read and believe stories that this Vitamin or that Vitamin treats a certain condition then rush off to buy a bottle of that miracle Vitamin at the local drug store. There are two things wrong with this: 1 - A person needs to receive all nutrients so they can work together synergistically for optimal health, in doses that will do them good, and 2 - Most sources of supplements are from food grade manufacture so the consumer never knows what they are actually getting and if they are also consuming toxins with those supplements.

So to answer your question George: Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient as are all the Vitamins and Minerals; Vitamin B12 in and of itself does not restore memory loss, etc., but works with other Vitamins and Minerals to provide the required nutrients so the body's immune system can function as optimally as it can.

I do not take Vitamin B12 by itself. It is part of the daily supplements I consume. I am getting 200 micro`grams of Vitamin B12 each day which is 3,340% of the FDA's Required Daily Allowance (RDA). These days, only cavemen believe that the RDA is sufficient for optimum health. I believe, as do thousands of people much smarter than me, including biologistsa, scientists, physicians, etc that for optimal health a person must consume much higher doses the Vitamins and Minerals.

As far as Vitamin B12 helping with knee pain,......vitamin B12 is one of many nutrients you must have for the body's immune system to work as efficient as it can and if working properly can minimze oxidative stress and free radical damage which may contribute to joint pain.



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Higher Levels of Vitamin D Might Save Your Life

From an ABC on-line report titled "Higher Levels of Vitamin D Might Save Your Life"

For many people the start of spring and the warmer weather that follows means storing the heavy winter gear and getting re-acquitted with the sun by spending more time outdoors. And according to new research, spending at least ten minutes a day in the sun could help save your life by reducing the probability of developing several diseases.

Two new studies show people with low levels of vitamin D have a 35% increased risk of developing heart disease and also have a 14% increased risk in dying from cancer.

Vitamin D is credited with not only helping reduce the odds of developing several major illnesses, but it also boosts heart health and even strengthens your bones.

How exactly can you maximize your body’s production and consumption of vitamin D in order to reap its benefits?

For starters, vitamin D, also known as the sunshine nutrient is produced in the body when the sun comes into contact with the sun, so spending more time outdoors is the key. Doctors suggest spending at least one hour a week in the sun, but don’t forget the sunscreen.

You can also find Vitamin D in a variety of foods like fish, eggs, soy beans, mushrooms and kale. But according the experts the best thing you can do is get outside and soak up those rays.

MyAchingKnees Comments: I don't believe you can get the necessary levels of Vitamin D from the Sun alone. My wife and I both had Vitamin D deficiencies and both of us spend a lot of time outside in a city that receives 300+ days of direct Sun a year. Both my wife and I take 3,000 to 5,000 IU of Vitamin D each day. While my wife was undergoing seven weeks of radiation treatment for a head and neck cancer, she insured she took 5,000 IU each day.

Exercise can diminish the body's Vitamin D levels and new studies from The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (TOSH) indicate that taking Vitamin D before a workout can help the body recover more quickly.

Some of the top scientists in the country believe that Vitamin D supports healthy bones, muscle strength, maintenance of healthy glucose levels, and heart and immune function.  The often quoted  daily level of Vitamin D of 400 to 800 IU is now thought to be pretty low.  Don't let this inexpensive nutritional supplement escape your grasp - ask your Doctor for a blood test to determine your levels of Vitamin D.  

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