Who should not take B12 supplements?

While B12 is generally safe, people with Leber's disease, severe kidney disease, or known allergies to B12/cobalt should avoid it, and those taking certain meds (like metformin, stomach acid reducers), pregnant/breastfeeding individuals, or those with malabsorption issues should consult a doctor before supplementing to manage risks or check interactions. Unnecessary megadosing isn't proven beneficial and might impact the gut microbiome, so always check with a healthcare provider.

What medications should not be taken with B12?

While B12 is generally safe, some medications can interfere with its absorption or effectiveness, including stomach acid reducers (omeprazole, lansoprazole, cimetidine), the diabetes drug metformin, anti-seizure drugs (phenytoin, carbamazepine), and certain gout/inflammatory drugs like colchicine, with some suggesting avoiding high-dose Vitamin C alongside it due to potential reduced B12 absorption. 

What happens to your body when you start taking vitamin B12?

Taking Vitamin B12 helps your body create red blood cells, synthesize DNA, support nerve function (myelin sheath), convert food to energy, and maintain brain health, mood, and focus, preventing fatigue and anemia, with effects like increased energy and clarity often felt if deficient, but very high doses can have side effects like headaches or nausea.
 

What kind of B12 is best for seniors?

Active B12 is generally considered to be the best form of B12 for seniors for several reasons. Metabolically active forms of B12 such as methylcobalamin and adenocobalamin require no further conversion in the body.

What vitamin am I lacking if I'm itchy?

Itchy skin can stem from deficiencies in vitamins like D, which impacts skin hydration; A, crucial for skin repair; B6, linked to scaly, itchy rashes; and B vitamins (like B12), which affect nerve health, while deficiencies in Zinc and Omega-3s also play a role in skin barrier function and inflammation, leading to dryness, flakiness, and irritation. Addressing these deficiencies often involves dietary changes, but professional testing is key to confirming the cause.
 

Most Seniors Don’t Realize This Vitamin D Mistake Is Aging Them Fast | Barbara O’Neill

What are the negatives to taking B12?

While generally safe, excessive Vitamin B12 intake or deficiency can cause issues; disadvantages of excess B12 (usually from supplements) include headaches, acne, diarrhea, potential increased cancer/mortality risks, and heart issues, while deficiency leads to neurological problems (memory loss, tingling), fatigue, anemia, and mood changes, with some deficiency symptoms potentially becoming permanent. 

How much B12 should a senior take?

Seniors often need more B12 due to absorption issues, with recommendations shifting from the standard 2.4 mcg for adults to 500-1000 mcg (micrograms) or more daily via supplements to correct deficiencies, as high-dose oral forms work well and bypass stomach problems, though a doctor should guide this based on blood tests and medications. 

What not to combine with vitamin B12?

When taking B12, you should avoid taking it with high doses of Vitamin C simultaneously (take them a few hours apart), limit alcohol, and be cautious with certain medications like metformin, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), H2 blockers, and some anti-seizure drugs, as these can hinder B12 absorption. Also, avoid combining B12, folate, and B6 after a stent placement due to increased risk of blood vessel narrowing, and consult a doctor about other potential interactions like with chloramphenicol. 

What do you crave when your B12 is low?

B12 deficiency can cause specific food cravings, particularly for meat, fish, or eggs, as your body seeks sources of the vitamin, and may also lead to sugar cravings due to its role in serotonin and energy regulation, but it can also manifest as pica (craving non-food items like ice or even bleach in severe cases). These cravings signal your body trying to correct a nutrient imbalance, but clinical testing is needed for a proper diagnosis, as emotional factors also drive cravings. 

What are the signs that you need B12?

You might need B12 if you experience extreme fatigue, weakness, tingling/numbness (pins and needles), a sore red tongue, pale skin, memory issues, or mood changes like depression, as these signal your body isn't making enough red blood cells or functioning properly, but a doctor's blood test is the only way to confirm a deficiency. 

Can B12 affect sleep?

Yes, Vitamin B12 significantly affects sleep by influencing energy, mood, and your internal clock (circadian rhythm); low levels can cause insomnia and fatigue, while supplementation can help regulate sleep, but high doses might even promote wakefulness by advancing sleep onset. It's crucial for energy production and neurotransmitter balance, meaning deficiencies disrupt sleep, but adequate levels support better quality rest and waking up refreshed.
 

Which two vitamins should not be taken together?

While many combinations are fine, Vitamin C and B12 should be spaced out as C can hinder B12 absorption, and Iron and Calcium/Zinc compete for absorption, reducing their effectiveness; also, high doses of Zinc and Copper can cause deficiency. It's crucial to separate minerals that compete (Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium) and be cautious with fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and interactions with medications.
 

What cancels out B12?

There is general consensus that gastric acid–lowering drugs, including proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs), and the antidiabetes drug metformin can reduce circulating vitamin B-12 concentrations with prolonged use.

Should people over 70 take B12?

If you are an older adult, you should be taking a supplement for B12 as well as trying to incorporate B12 into your diet. It is vital for good health and cognitive functioning. Studies continue to show all the ways it is beneficial for your overall health.

What food is highest in B12?

The foods highest in Vitamin B12 are organ meats (like liver and kidney) and shellfish (especially clams), offering thousands of percent of the daily value in small servings, with fortified cereals, dairy, fish (salmon, tuna, sardines), and eggs also being excellent sources. For vegans, fortified foods like nutritional yeast and plant milks are key, as B12 is naturally found in animal products.
 

What is the best vitamin B12 for seniors?

For seniors needing B12, top supplements include Nature Made, Nature's Bounty, Thorne, and options from Pure Encapsulations, with sublingual (dissolving) tablets, gummies, or liquids often best for absorption; however, consulting a doctor is crucial as personalized needs vary, and supplements should complement a balanced diet, not replace it. Focus on forms like methylcobalamin or convenient sublinguals/gummies to aid absorption, with dosages around 1000 mcg or more if deficient, but always get medical advice first.
 

What organ does vitamin B12 affect?

Vitamin B12 does a lot of important things for your body. It helps create your DNA and red blood cells, for example. Your body also needs B12 for the development of your central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord).

What happens to your body if you take vitamin B12 every day?

Taking B12 daily is generally safe as it's water-soluble, with excess flushed in urine, but high doses (especially shots) can cause mild issues like nausea, headaches, or diarrhea, and rare concerns exist about skin issues or increased cancer risk, so consult a doctor before megadosing, notes EatingWell, Mayo Clinic, NIH. 

How do you feel if your B12 is too high?

Too much B12 usually doesn't cause severe issues as excess is flushed out, but high doses (especially injections) can lead to headaches, dizziness, fatigue, digestive upset (nausea, diarrhea), insomnia, anxiety, or skin rashes, with rare severe effects like heart palpitations or nerve issues in extreme cases, often resolving by stopping supplements.
 

What are the facial signs of B12 deficiency?

Cutaneous manifestations associated with vitamin B12 deficiency are skin hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair changes. A diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency is often overlooked in its early stages because these signs are not specific to vitamin B12 deficiency alone.

What organ problems cause itchy skin?

Chronic pruritus can be caused by:

• Diabetes.
• Chronic kidney failure.
• Liver disease.
• HIV infection.
• Allergic reactions to food, medicine and insect bites.
• Thyroid disorders.
• Multiple sclerosis.
• Anxiety.

What deficiency causes cracking joints?

Nutrient deficiencies, especially Vitamin D, Calcium, Vitamin C, and Omega-3s, can cause cracking joints by weakening bones, reducing joint lubrication, impairing cartilage health, and increasing inflammation, making joints prone to noisy popping and discomfort; dehydration and lack of movement also contribute.