In a world where weight loss is a highly sought-after goal, people always search for the latest and greatest tips and tricks to shed those extra pounds. From fad diets to intense workout routines, there is no shortage of methods promising fast and effective weight loss. However, one nutrient that is often overlooked in this quest is vitamin B12. While it's well-known for its role in energy production and nerve function, recent research suggests that vitamin B12 could also play a significant role in weight loss. This article explores whether vitamin B12 is the secret nutrient for weight loss and how it can benefit your health.
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a vital role in multiple functions of the body.
This vitamin is attached to the food you eat. Vitamin B12 metabolism starts in the mouth when food is mixed with saliva and ingested.
Two active forms of vitamin B12 are available - methylcobalamin and 5-deoxy adenosylcobalamin.
About 6% of adults and 20% of older adults (aged 60 and above) may be vitamin B12 deficient in the United States and the United Kingdom.
10-30% of adults may struggle to absorb vitamin B12 from food.
As a result, they may not be getting their Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of B12 every day.
Vitamin B12 is more abundant in animal and dairy products than plant-based foods.
Some foods may have higher levels of B12, but their bioavailability value may be low. Bioavailability is the number of vitamins that can be absorbed from the food.
The bioavailability of B12 is three times more in dairy products than in animal products.
Similarly, bioavailability is 50% more in dietary supplements when compared to natural food sources.
The following are some of the foods rich in vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 plays various roles in the body, including the following.
Vitamin B12 helps with weight loss in several ways, including the following.
A 2016 study reports that pregnant women with low vitamin B12 levels in their first trimester had increased BMI levels compared to those with normal B12 levels.
A 2017 case-controlled study was conducted in Turkey, analyzing the effects of vitamin B12 levels on childhood obesity.
According to the study, children with low B12 had higher BMI levels than children with normal levels of B12.
A 2016 study on female mice reports that severe B12 deficiency may increase cholesterol levels and body fat percentages.
A 2019 study analyzed the effects of vitamin B12 deficiency on body weight in 9,075 American adults.
According to this study, obese and overweight individuals consistently had lower serum vitamin B12 levels than those with normal BMI levels.
Vitamin B12 in the body is converted into an active form called deoxyadenosylcobalamin.
Deoxyadenosylcobalamin plays a role in fat metabolism (the breakdown and storage of lipids).
According to studies, insufficient or partial breakdown of lipids may lead to increased weight gain and risk of metabolic conditions like type II diabetes.
Boosting vitamin B12 may help improve lipid metabolism and promote weight loss.
Vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to fatigue and tiredness, preventing people from being physically active.
Physical activity helps burn calories, which directly influences weight loss strategies.
Therefore, supplementing vitamin B12 in those deficient in this nutrient may help improve their physical activity levels, which, in turn, will help them lose weight.
A 2022 study reports that gut microbial diversity and proper functioning are important for weight loss.
About 80% of the microbes in the gut need vitamin B12 to function.
A lack of vitamin B12 can alter the microbial profile in the stomach. Supplementing the right amounts of vitamin B12 can help improve gut health and support weight loss.
According to experts, the link between vitamin B12, energy levels, and mood may answer why vitamin B12 deficiency leads to weight gain.
Vitamin B12 helps boost energy levels. Lack of vitamin B12 can decrease general energy levels in individuals, preventing them from being physically active.
Also, vitamin B12 helps maintain mental health, keeping the risk of mood swings and depression low. Mental health conditions may also contribute to weight gain.
The following people are at higher risk for vitamin B12 deficiency.
The following are the signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Weight gain or the inability to lose weight can be due to multiple factors, with vitamin B12 deficiency being one of them.
Vitamin B12 injections are easy ways to quickly improve B12 levels and promptly treat the signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Studies haven't found a direct link between vitamin B12 injections and weight loss.
However, improving B12 levels may improve energy, help with better metabolism, and reduce mental health risks.
A healthy diet, moderate physical activity, and normal vitamin B12 levels may help lose weight.
You can meet your vitamin B12 needs through food sources and dietary supplements.
The following are the Recommended Dietary Allowances for vitamin B12.
| Age | RDA of vitamin B12 (in mcg) |
| 0-6 months | 0.4 |
| 7-12 months | 0.5 |
| 1-3 years | 0.9 |
| 4-8 years | 1.2 |
| 9-13 years | 1.8 |
| 14+ years | 2.4 |
Include healthy portions of beef, seafood, and dairy products in your everyday meals. Vegetarians and vegans can include nutritional yeast and vitamin B12-fortified foods regularly.
Vitamin B12 supplements are available as Over-The-Counter (OTC) oral supplements and lozenges.
Prescription supplements in injections or nasal sprays are available for people with diagnosed vitamin B12 deficiency.
Please consider dietary supplements only after consulting with your doctor.
We may be carriers of certain conditions (not have the condition but possess the ability to pass it to the next generation). Learn more:
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited genetic disease that affects nearly 30,000 children and adults in the USA.
The development of thick, sticky mucus build-up in organs characterizes this condition.
Diagnosing cystic fibrosis early helps effectively manage the condition and improves the individual's quality of life.
The cystic fibrosis sweat test helps determine if an individual has this condition by assessing the amount of chloride in their sweat.
The sweat chloride test is the gold standard for diagnosing cystic fibrosis.
In people with cystic fibrosis, there is a problem with the movement of chloride ions across cell membranes.
This means there is a higher concentration of salt in sweat when compared with people who do not have cystic fibrosis.
The sweat chloride test can be performed as early as 48 hours after birth.
It is recommended for babies with a family history of the condition or those who tested positive for cystic fibrosis in the newborn screening test.
The chloride sweat test is a simple procedure that takes about 30 minutes.
No special preparation is required for the cystic fibrosis sweat test.
You can allow your child to eat, drink and continue their routine.
However, avoiding lotions on the skin for 24 hours before the test is recommended.
How Do I Prepare My Child For A Sweat Test?
Since no needles are used in this sweat test, you can rest assured that your child will be comfortable throughout the test duration.
The test usually takes around 30 minutes but may take longer in some cases. Bring a few books or toys to entertain your child during the test.
The chloride sweat test is simple and usually involves the following steps:
The area on the arm or leg that was used for the rest may remain red for a few hours, but there is nothing to worry about.
Can The Sweat Test Be Administered More Than Once?
The chloride sweat test may need to be repeated in the following scenarios:
Cystic fibrosis test results may take a few days to arrive. Confirm the timeline when booking the sweat test.
Chloride in sweat is measured in mmol/L (millimoles per liter)
So, having a sweat chloride level over 60 millimoles per liter is considered abnormal and may indicate cystic fibrosis.
The doctor will perform other tests and symptomatic assessments to confirm a cystic fibrosis diagnosis.
False positive results are rare in the case of a sweat chloride test.
However, some conditions that may falsely increase sweat chloride levels include:
A sweat chloride test is accurate in around 98% of patients with cystic fibrosis.
Risks due to the sweat chloride test are rare.
The electrical stimulation may cause skin reddening, which resolves in a few hours.
In sporadic cases, the skin may look mildly sunburned.
The cystic fibrosis sweat test costs around USD 250.
Despite advances in medical technology, predicting heart attacks remains a challenge. With heart disease being the leading cause of death worldwide, humans would benefit enormously if we could predict the odds of getting heart disease. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), there is growing hope that we can improve our ability to predict and prevent heart attacks. Can AI predict heart attacks? Let's explore this fascinating question together.
Cardiac arrest is a condition when the heart stops beating suddenly.
It stops blood flow to other vital organs, which can starve them of oxygen, called hypoxia.
It ultimately leads to irreversible organ damage and even death.
Before a cardiac arrest, a person might experience nausea, chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Cardiac arrest can be caused either by atrial or ventricular fibrillation.
When the heart's ventricles beat irregularly, blood flow to vital organs and other body parts can slow down or completely stop.
When the SA node, the heart's atria, malfunctions, it does not generate an impulse for a heartbeat.
It can also cause irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest.
People who have a history of heart disease in the family or are suffering from diabetes or hypertension are more prone to cardiac arrests.
Obesity and low potassium and magnesium in the diet can also increase the risk of suffering a cardiac arrest.
AI has tremendous potential to revolutionize healthcare.
With its ability to analyze vast amounts of data and detect patterns, AI can help diagnose diseases earlier, develop more personalized treatment plans, and improve patient outcomes.
AI-powered systems can also help reduce human error.
Additionally, AI can help researchers discover new drugs and therapies and streamline the drug development process.
The potential benefits of AI in healthcare are vast, and as the technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovative applications that will transform the field.
Studies have shown that sudden cardiac arrests due to irregular heartbeat are the leading cause of death.
Yet, there is minimal healthcare professionals can do to stop such deaths.
Researchers have found that many people at low risk of cardiac arrest are getting defibrillators, leaving those at a higher risk vulnerable.
AI algorithm can determine who is at risk of cardiac arrest and when it can potentially occur, increasing the chances of treatment of vulnerable patients.
AI can predict heart attacks by analyzing large amounts of patient data and identifying patterns and risk factors associated with heart disease. Some of how AI has been used to predict heart attacks include:
Overall, while more research is needed, the current evidence suggests that AI has great potential to improve our ability to predict heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases.
SSCAR
A new type of AI called Survival Study of Cardiac Arrhythmia Risk (SSCAR) can change how doctors diagnose and treat cardiac failures.
This technology can detect minute cardiac scarring that the naked eye might otherwise miss.
Cardiac scarring can be caused by long-term hypertension and previous heart attacks.
Detecting such abnormalities in the heart can significantly increase patients' chances of getting treatment early on.
QUARTZ
It is an AI-enabled tool that studies the imaging of the retina’s veins and arteries and combines it with other known risk factors to predict vascular health and death.
The researchers used the tool to scan images from 88,052 UK Biobank participants aged 40 to 69. They found the data computed by Quartz was significantly associated with cardiovascular disease, deaths and strokes
Coronary Plaque Buildup
Investigators from Cedars-Sinai have created an AI-enabled tool to help predict heart attacks.
The tool analyzes the coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) 3D images of the heart and arteries to study the plaque buildup in the arteries.
The tool accurately predicted which patients would experience a heart attack in five years based on the amount and composition of plaque in arteries that supply blood to the heart.
Apple watches have optical sensors and electrocardiograms to detect health issues early.
Recent studies show that Apple watches can detect irregular heartbeats and potential cardiac failure.
Although it cannot prevent a heart attack, Apple watches can alert the user and detect any abnormality before a formal diagnosis.
AI can monitor patients' heart health and alert them if anything unnatural occurs.
It implies that patients can get treatment faster, potentially saving a life.
Many physicians have argued that AI should always be used as a guiding tool rather than something that can diagnose diseases.
Algorithms cannot replace the years of experience of healthcare professionals.
AI and algorithms should always be used in context and under healthcare professionals' guidance for maximum benefits.
If AI is widely used to predict patients' health, it has the potential to revamp the healthcare system completely.
It can help safeguard patients from potentially fatal heart attacks.
It can also help doctors monitor their patients better and provide more personalized treatment plans.
AI can potentially transform the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Heart attack is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
AI can provide accurate predictions about heart attacks before a clinical diagnosis.
It can speed up treatment and potentially save lives.
However, AI can never replace the human angle involved in healthcare.
AI, coupled with the expertise and experience of healthcare professionals, can help patients get better medical care.
Mental health is a topic that is often talked about but remains largely unknown.
When someone says mental health, “genes” or “genetics” is not the next immediate thing that comes to mind, maybe not even the fourth or fifth.
However, recent research into mental health urges us to think otherwise by establishing a significant genetic component for many mental health disorders.
These results can be crucial for understanding and treating mental health disorders.
Thinking about it logically, this shouldn’t surprise us at all!
The millions of activities in the brain contribute to our thoughts, emotions, love, consciousness, and so on.
Millions of brain cells or neurons transmit brain activities or signals.
So for effective brain activity, the brain cells must function well.
Each cell has DNA with thousands of genes. And if you have “normal” genes, your brain cells usually function.
However, if you carry a “change” or an “error” in one or more of the genes in the DNA of the brain cells, their functioning may be hampered.
Imagine an electricity grid; what’d happen if one circuit is flawed?
It may not result in a complete blackout, but we may face power fluctuations.
The brain is only 1000 times more complex! Minor changes may not entirely contribute to a mental disorder - there is no one “depression gene” or “anxiety mutation.”
But genetic factors make some people more likely to have mental health issues by interfering with the normal functioning of the brain cells.
This could explain why issues like depression or bipolar disorders seemingly run in the family.
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States, with an estimated 15 million Americans affected yearly.
A growing body of research suggests that depression may be partly due to genes passed down from family members.
Studies have shown that depression is more common in families with a history of mental illness.
This suggests that there may be a genetic component to depression.
Heritability – the proportion of variation in a trait due to genetic factors – is estimated to account for about 40-50% of the risk for developing depression.
Glutamate Receptors and Mood Disorders
Years’ worth of research shows that glutamate is instrumental in depression.
There is also increasing evidence of a possible relationship between glutamate and the pathophysiology and treatment of depression.
Glutamate is a neurotransmitter (or chemical messenger) released in the brain that is important for learning and memory.
Excessive glutamate release in the body may be associated with excitotoxicity-induced brain damage.
Glutamate is synthesized in the body and ingested from certain kinds of food, including meat, cheese, and food seasonings containing MSG or monosodium glutamate.
High levels of glutamate have been linked to mood disorders like depression.
Glutamate receptors play a role in determining the levels of glutamate.
People with certain changes in the gene coding for glutamate receptors may be more prone to depression than others.
Evidence-based studies reveal that anxiety, in part, is dictated by our genes.
Experts noticed a connection between genes and anxiety before discovering the role of DNA and genes.
If you have an immediate relative with anxiety, there are 2 to 6 times increased risk of developing it.
The serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) is one of the well-researched genes for anxiety.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter or a brain chemical.
It is believed to be a mood stabilizer, which can aid healthy sleep patterns and boost your mood.
The 5-HTT gene is a crucial regulator of serotonin levels in the brain.
A clear correlation has been established between low serotonin levels and increases in depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
The 5-HTT gene comes in two forms: L and S.
The S form is associated with lower 5-HTT gene expression and, subsequently, lower serotonin reuptake.
This results in an increased risk for anxiety.
Before starting on the genetic link to stress, it is important to know that stress is not always a villain.
There are two types of stress: eustress and distress,
Most of us know that distress is a negative feeling characterized by extreme sorrow, sadness, and pain - bad stress.
Eustress is a positive form of stress that produces positive feelings of excitement, fulfillment, meaning, satisfaction, and well-being.
One of the most important genes connected with your stress response is COMT.
The COMT gene produces the catechol-O-methyltransferase or the COMT enzyme.
COMT breaks down neurotransmitters like epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
Your fight or flight response is activated in response to excessive stress and is triggered by epinephrine and norepinephrine.
Dopamine plays a crucial role in reward response.
A selected COMT gene modification called rs4680 or V158M has been proven to bring about changes in intellectual and behavioral traits and other illnesses.
People with the GG version of the COMT gene tend to have low dopamine levels and perform better under stress.
Those with the AA version tend to have lower stress resilience.
Xcode Life’s genetic test analyzes genes associated with mental health, like the ones mentioned above.
With the results, you can understand your risk for various mental conditions, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, stress, and anorexia.
The reports also include customized recommendations to improve your mental health.
Do you suffer from headaches, itching, or hives after consuming certain foods?
If so, you may be among the millions of people suffering from histamine intolerance.
While the causes of this condition are complex, recent research has suggested that excess vitamin B12 intake may play a significant role.
In this article, we explore the link between excess vitamin B12 and histamine intolerance and what you can do to alleviate your symptoms.
Histamine is a chemical substance that is vital to many bodily functions.
It is synthesized from the amino acid histidine.
It regulates our immune and nervous systems' functioning and sleep-wake cycles.
Histamine is stored in "mast cells" on our skin, lungs, and GI tract.
Many foods naturally contain histamine, especially fermented and cured foods.
However, this histamine does not enter our bloodstream as it is broken down by an enzyme called Diamine Oxidase (DAO).
When the DAO enzyme fails to function correctly, breaking down histamine naturally becomes difficult, leading to an allergic reaction called histamine intolerance.
It can manifest as headaches, itching, and stomach problems.
Some medications, such as aspirin and diclofenac, can also interfere with histamine release in the body, causing intolerance.
Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is an essential nutrient for the body.
It is essential for DNA synthesis and the maintenance of nerve cells.
A deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause many symptoms, such as fatigue, depression, and shortness of breath.
Severe deficiency can lead to irreversible brain and nerve damage.
However, excess vitamin B12 in the body can cause histamine intolerance symptoms.
Studies suggest that vitamin B12 can trigger histamine release in the body.
Certain bacteria or yeasts can convert histidine into histamine in the body, triggering an allergic reaction.
Fermented foods high in certain types of microorganisms can trigger a histamine allergy in the body.
However, there are differences in how each individual reacts to vitamin B12.
Therefore, in one person, it may trigger excess histamine release, causing the symptoms of histamine intolerance, while in another person, it may not cause any symptoms.
A histamine diet should exclude foods rich in vitamin B12, like shellfish, fish, crustaceans, liver, and red meat.
Cheese, eggs, and fortified cereals might also trigger excess histamine release in the body.
Try avoiding fermented foods such as kombucha and kimchi.
However, low histamine diets can also result in malnutrition.
Thus, it is always important to consult your doctor before you include or exclude anything from your diet.
Histamine intolerance is a condition that is caused due to under-secretion of the DAO enzyme, which metabolizes histamine in the body.
It can cause an allergic reaction and manifest as headaches and stomach problems.
Studies show that there might be a connection between histamine intolerance and vitamin B12.
Foods rich in vitamin B12 also contain high levels of histamine, which can trigger a reaction.
Fermented foods, fortified cereals, and canned fish are all rich in vitamin B12 and histamine.
It is essential to consult with your doctor before making any dietary changes, as eliminating a food group can cause various deficiencies.
Have you ever wondered if cystic fibrosis is contagious? With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have become familiar with the '6-feet rule' to prevent the spread of the virus. But does the same rule apply to cystic fibrosis? Let's discover the facts and myths surrounding this chronic disease and the truth.
Cystic fibrosis is the most common lung disease in children. Many individuals with this condition also have digestive issues.
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease characterized by the accumulation of sticky mucus that may damage organs in the body.
The severity of the disease and its features vary in different individuals.
Cystic fibrosis is more common in white newborns and less common in other ethnic groups.
In this article, let’s understand more about cystic fibrosis, its symptoms, and its genetics.
Mucus is routinely produced by certain cells in the body and is thin and slippery.
It is most often found lining the airways, digestive tract, and reproductive system.
However, in cystic fibrosis, the mucus is abnormally thick and sticky and tends to clog the airways.
This results in breathing problems and an increased tendency to develop bacterial infections in the lung.
Coughing, wheezing, and inflammation are common in people with cystic fibrosis.
When inflammation becomes chronic (long-lasting), it causes scar and cyst formation in the lungs.
Mutations (abnormal changes) in the CFTR gene are said to cause cystic fibrosis.
The CFTR or CF transmembrane conductance regulator gene provides instructions for making a protein.
This protein acts like a channel to transport negatively-charged chloride ions across the cell.
Mutations in the CFTR gene disrupt the chloride ion transport, preventing them from regulating water and chloride ion movement across the cell membranes.
This results in the production of mucus that is thick and sticky that clogs the airways and other ducts.
Signs and symptoms in children with classic cystic fibrosis are:
Respiratory signs and symptoms in people with atypical cystic fibrosis are:
Cystic fibrosis is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern.
This means an individual must have both copies of the defective CFTR gene to develop this condition.
Most people with cystic fibrosis are asked to keep at least a 6-feet distance between themselves and anyone who is sick around them.
However, this is not because cystic fibrosis is a contagious disease.
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited genetic disorder.
In people with cystic fibrosis, the thick and sticky mucus in the lungs and the airways trap bacteria that can cause infections.
These infections can be dangerous or life-threatening to people with cystic fibrosis.
For this reason, people with cystic fibrosis are asked to stay at least 6-feet apart from people who are sick.
People with cystic fibrosis must also stay away from others with the condition.
6 feet distance is a globally followed rule because that is how far germs can travel when a person sneezes, coughs, or speaks.
Two people with cystic fibrosis must stay away from each other or maintain a 6-feet distance between themselves.
To prevent cross-infections between cystic fibrosis patients, it is recommended that they must not allow any bodily contact, including kissing, with each other.
The respiratory tract, including cystic fibrosis patients' lungs, carries infection-causing bacteria.
When two people with this condition are close to each other, they stand a chance of getting infected by the other in case they are carrying bacteria.
Since respiratory infections can be dangerous or even life-threatening for cystic fibrosis, two people with this condition cannot be near each other.
