We usually hear about vitamin B12 when we're talking about energy.

Feeling exhausted? Maybe you need more B12. Following a vegetarian or vegan diet? B12 is probably something you've already been told to think about. Taking a B12 supplement? Chances are you're doing it because you want to support energy levels.

Yet B12 has another job that doesn't get quite as much attention. Your brain and nervous system rely on this little vitamin too.

In fact, B12 is involved in keeping nerve cells healthy and maintaining the protective covering around your nerves, helping your nervous system send messages around your body properly. It’s also needed for making DNA and red blood cells. So maybe it’s time to stop thinking of B12 as simply the “energy vitamin” because there’s definitely a bit more to it.

Your Brain Is Basically A Giant Communication Network

Think about everything your nervous system is doing without you even noticing.

You're reading this. Your brain is processing the words, your eyes are sending information back and forth, your body is maintaining your balance and your nerves are constantly communicating with different parts of you. There's a lot of activity going on.

B12 helps support that system by playing an important role in normal nerve function and the maintenance of myelin, the protective layer surrounding many nerve fibers. It's not exactly the most exciting thing to talk about, but it becomes pretty interesting when you realize just how much your nervous system does for you every single day.

What Happens When You Don't Get Enough?

This is where B12 becomes particularly worth paying attention to. A deficiency can cause the tiredness and weakness we tend to associate with low B12, but it can also affect the nervous system. Numbness or tingling, balance problems, confusion, and even memory problems can occur with B12 deficiency.

That doesn't mean every forgotten name or afternoon slump is a B12 problem. There are about a million reasons you might feel tired or mentally foggy. But it’s worth looking into.

B12 deficiency can affect your nervous system even if you don't have anemia, so this vitamin clearly has more going on than just helping with energy.

Could B12 Actually Help With Brain Fog?

This is where things get a little more complicated. There is some research linking low B12 levels with cognitive problems, but that doesn't mean taking extra B12 will automatically make your brain work better.

In people who already have enough B12, studies haven't found that taking more improves cognitive function. So we're definitely not talking about B12 as some kind of magic brain booster.

The important part is making sure you have enough. Your nervous system needs B12 to function normally, and if you're deficient, getting your levels back to where they should be matters. 

So, Why Might You Be Low In B12?

You might think that if you're eating well, you're automatically getting enough B12. But that’s not necessarily true.

B12 is naturally found in foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy. This means that people following vegetarian or vegan diets need to think about getting B12 from fortified foods or supplements. 

Age can also play a role. Some older adults have more difficulty absorbing B12 from food, while certain digestive conditions and surgeries can affect absorption too. Then there are medications. Long-term use of some medicines can affect B12 absorption. These include metformin and acid-reducing medications such as proton pump inhibitors.

So it's not always as simple as “eat more B12.” Your body has to absorb it too.

Where Does A B12 Supplement Fit In?

If you're not getting enough B12 through your diet, or you have difficulty absorbing it, supplementation can be one way to help meet your needs. Our Liposomal Vitamin B12 is an easy addition to your daily routine, particularly if you're looking for a simple way to include B12 consistently.

If you're wondering whether you're getting enough B12, a blood test can give you a clearer picture. If you simply want to make B12 part of your daily routine, supplementation can be an easy way to top up your intake when you need it.

It's More Than An Energy Vitamin

It's funny how we can become so familiar with a nutrient that we forget how much it actually does. B12 quickly gets put into the “energy” category, but your nervous system has a pretty strong claim on it too.

Your brain is communicating with your body all day, every day. Your nerves are carrying messages. Your cells are constantly doing their thing in the background while you're busy getting on with your life. B12 is one of the nutrients that supports it all.

So yes, it might be known as the energy vitamin. But it turns out it has rather a lot more on its plate.

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