Does Vitamin B12 Deficiency Lead To Weight Gain? What You Should Know

People often think vitamin B12 deficiency and weight gain are linked. But how true is this assumption? Before we go ahead, let us learn about some of the physiological functions of this vitamin, which is also referred to as cobalamin.

Vitamin B12 is water-soluble and essential for the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system. This micronutrient also has a role to play in blood cell formation, energy production, and DNA synthesis (1). Its deficiency can manifest in the form of a nervous disorder, anemia, and poor energy levels (2). But how is it related to weight gain? Keep reading to find out!

Trivia

Karl Folkers and his team discovered vitamin B12 (anti-pernicious anemia factorⁱ  XA lack of vitamin B12 absorption in the small intestine that lowers red blood cells and results in fatigue, headaches, and weight loss. ) in 1947. G.R Minot and W.P Murphy initiated the research in 1926 while working on pernicious anemia (an autoimmune condition).

Symptoms Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

When there is a deficiency of vitamin B12, cell division slows down. Due to this slow cell division, red blood cells are enlarged and destroyed by the immune system. There are several Symptoms Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency (3), (4). They are:

1. 1. Chronic Fatigue – Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a persistent feeling of exhaustion and tiredness.
2. Incontinence – Due to vitamin B12 deficiency, the bladder is incapable of holding urine, and leakage occurs.
3. Shortness Of Breath – Shortness of breath or slow breathing is mainly caused due to B12 not being properly absorbed by the body.
4. Forgetfulness – Forgetfulness is a common symptom that occurs when the neurological system is deprived of vitamin B12. Severe deficiency may result in memory loss.
5. Hallucinations And Psychosis – Extreme symptoms that can occur due to vitamin B12 deficiency are hallucinations and mental weakness. It can also make you feel tingling sensations and numbness.

Does Vitamin B12 Lead To Weight Gain Or Weight Loss?

There is very little evidence to suggest that vitamin B12 leads to weight gain or weight loss.

Studies associate low vitamin B12 levels with obesity due to slow metabolism. However, people with a normal BMI range showed a negative correlation with vitamin B12 (5). Another study associated obesity in children and adolescents with an increased risk of low vitamin B12 levels (6). Prolonged obesity can lead to the development of insulin resistance as the deficiency disturbs the adiponectin levels.

A recent study on US population shows that high serum vitamin B12 levels are inversely proportional to body weight, but the underlying mechanism needs further investigation (7).

A study in NewYork states that long-term supplementation with vitamin B12 can lead to less weight gain (8). However, more studies are required to arrive at a conclusion.

A 15-year-old boy with macrocytic anemiaⁱ  XA condition in which the bone marrow produces excessively large red blood cells, which results in low hemoglobin. and other clinical conditions, when supplemented with intravenous cobalaminⁱ  XThe procedure of injecting vitamin B12 (cobalamin) directly into the vein with a needle or tube so it can quickly enter the bloodstream. , showed an increase in appetite and weight (9). This may have been due to the imbalance in leptin and ghrelin hormones.

It is pretty clear that current evidence is inconclusive to establish that vitamin B12 deficiency leads to weight gain. However, low vitamin B12 levels are observed among people with obesity issues.

Trivia

The daily recommended dosage of vitamin B12 for people over 19 years is 2.4 mcg (4).

How To Get More Vitamin B12?

The best and natural way to get vitamin B12 in your body is to eat foods that contain it. Foods rich in vitamin B12 include (4):

• Meat and chicken
• Seafood
• Eggs
• Dairy and dairy products
• Fortified breakfast cereals

Apart from these natural sources, you can also take vitamin B12 capsules, syrups, and health drinks that can help bring your vitamin B12 levels back to normal. But before taking any supplements or medicines, make sure to consult the doctor.

Now that you know about vitamin B12 deficiency and how to increase it, let us take a look at what constitutes normal vitamin B12 levels in the next section.

What Are The Normal Vitamin B12 Levels?

The following indicates the different vitamin B12 levels (10):

• Above 300 pg/mL – normal
• 200 and 300 pg/mL – borderline
• Below 200 pg/mL – deficit

Vitamin B12 Injections Dosage And Frequency

Vitamin B12 is commonly administered through cyanocobalamin injections (11). A study published in PubMed found that 1000 micrograms of 5 to 6 injections every two weeks is the ideal dose as compared to 100 micrograms as it helps your body retain more vitamin B12. However, it is recommended that you consult your doctor for the correct dosage and frequency.

A blogger, with possibly undiagnosed Myasthenia Gravis, shares her experience of taking vitamin B12 injections in her personal blog. She excitedly notes, “I have been shocked by my response to the B12 injection, thinking it could be days or months before I would see any results. The first thing I noticed this morning is that there has been a massive reduction in the nerve pain in my leg (i).”

Infographic: Practical Ways to Amp Up Your Vitamin B12 Intake

Vitamin B12 is essential for the proper functioning of our bodies. It helps produce the necessary chemicals that influence our mood and other brain functions. But do you know that you can manage a deficiency of vitamin B12 by just changing a few things about your eating habits? In the following infographic, we have listed the different ways for you to boost your B12 intake. Check it out!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can low vitamin B12 make you tired?

As vitamin B12 is required to operate biochemical reactions for energy production, low levels of B12 cause you to feel tired because of lack of energy production.

Can low vitamin B12 cause anxiety?

Vitamin B12 regulates functions of the nerves. Hence, low B12 levels may cause psychiatric symptoms like depression, anxiety, as well as hallucinations.

What is the difference between vitamin B12 deficiency and anemia?

There is no difference between B12 deficiency and anemia. In fact, vitamin B12 deficiency leads to anemia as it regulates functions of red blood cells.

Do almonds have B12?

No, almonds do not have vitamin B12.

Can stress increase b12 levels?

No. Anecdotal evidence suggests that stress can deplete vitamin B levels in the body, especially vitamin B12. And hence people with anxiety and depression may be more prone to vitamin B12 deficiency.

Does beetroot have B12?

Yes, beetroot is a rich source of vitamin B12 (and other B vitamins) and is also packed with vitamins A and C (12).

Does B12 make you sleepy?

No. There are no studies that prove a direct relationship between vitamin B12 levels and sleep.

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

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Madhu SharmaRD

Madhu Sharma is a member of the National Executive Committee of IDA. She has been associated for almost three decades with Pediatric Nutrition at PGI while serving in the Gastroenterology Department (20 years) and then the Advanced Pediatric Center (10 yrs) at PGIMER, Chandigarh. She is former Senior Dietitian from PGIMER, Chandigarh, retired in 2012.   Madhu has been closely...more

Priyanka SadhukhanNutritionist, CDE

Priyanka is a nutritionist and a Certified Diabetes Educator. She has over 8 years of experience in nutrition and dietetics with a strong research background. She is passionate about science and how it can be applied to one’s daily lifestyle. According to her, food is the best medicine, and proper nutrition is key to achieving good health. She has also...more

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Sindhu Koganti is a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach and has over 6 years of experience in writing on health and wellness topics. She has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy. After her graduation, she decided to combine her knowledge of science and love for writing to...more