Ah, energy. It’s what so many of us crave and lack at the same time. Blame it on a demanding 9-5, the fact that we’re always “on”, juggling work, study, exercise, friends, family—all whilst trying to pay rent or save for that house, car, holiday, life… the list goes on and on—and it’s no wonder we all feel pretty exhausted from time to time.
When it comes to boosting energy, chances are you’re familiar with vitamin B12. It’s a term that gets thrown around a lot, but how exactly does it work and is it worth a try? Here, we consult Cherihan Zaydan, Naturopath for Medlab (makers of the NanoCelle Activated B12 Spray) who helps explain everything there is to know when it comes to B12 and what it might mean for your energy levels.
Vitamin B12
“Vitamin B12 helps to transform the food you eat into energy your cells can use. Iron is also essential as it carries oxygen in the haemoglobin (protein component) of red blood cells to produce energy. This allows red blood cells to transport oxygen from your lungs to the organs and tissues throughout your body. Without enough iron, your red blood cells cannot carry oxygen properly to the body’s tissues.”
NanoCelle Activated B12
“NanoCelle Activated B12 is one of Medlab’s oral sprays which uses nanotechnology delivery platform to administer B12 into the body. Those who may have B12 deficiency include groups such as vegetarians, vegans, the elderly, and those taking certain medications which lowers stomach acid.”
“B12 deficiency can also be a cause megaloblastic anaemia, which results in tiredness and muscle weakness. B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that we must obtain through diet, our bodies don’t store excess amounts. Our bodies cannot produce B12 on its own, which makes B12 essential as it plays an important role in the integrity of nerve function and formation of red blood cells. B12 also plays an important role in the synthesis of DNA.”
B12 absorption
“What makes NanoCelle B12 Spray so revolutionary is that it uses nanoparticles in a spray that is administered to the oral-buccal lining – inside the cheek. The amount of capillaries lining the walls of your mouth means there is a much larger surface area for the already incredibly tiny nanoparticles to be absorbed and instantly enter the bloodstream.”
“This route of administration means that the bioavailability of B12 in Medlab’s NanoCelle spray is significantly higher than other delivery systems of B12 supplements. Using this method, up to 95% of the spray is absorbed. As a point of comparison, taking a gel cap only yields a 30% absorption rate. An intravenous injection delivers 100% of the B12 into your body. That means a B12 spray is only 5% less effective than intravenous injection. Injections are notoriously invasive and uncomfortable, so taking your B12 via a spray is significantly more convenient and less painful.”
Energy-boosting food
For your slow burn, all-day grind kind of energy, Cherihan recommends that you eat foods with a low glycaemic index (GI) rating. “This includes complex carbohydrates like oats, brown rice and bread with lots of roughage and ideally with as little sugar or processing as possible. A bowl of rolled oats cooked in almond milk with honey and berries is the perfect way to begin the day because it’s filling and tastes delicious.”
“My favourite piece of advice, like all pieces of great advice, is simple and concise: Eat food, not too much, mostly plants. Many studies are now demonstrating the innumerable benefits of fasting on metabolism, immune functioning and energy levels. Think about it: your body is constantly bombarded with food. Thermoses, the process whereby food is digested into energy, takes up to 30% of your energy to function. Therefore, taking a day off to fast, or even fasting from dinner to lunch, allows your digestive system to rest and reset.”
“Plant-based diets are gaining popularity rapidly not just because of their eco and moral justification, but because plant-based diets are lighter on the calories and incredibly nutrient-dense. We also know, nutrients like minerals and vitamins are essential for all energy systems to function properly. So we’re starving, but we’re full… And being full of all this ‘dead food’ makes us lethargic and our digestion sluggish.”
“As a Naturopath, I would always want to treat the underlying causes of illness rather than the symptoms of disease. Symptoms are an external manifestation of an internal imbalance due to any combination of mental, physical or emotional stress.”
If you’re really struggling with fatigue, be sure to seek advice from a medical professional (especially seeing as burnout is now classified as a workplace condition and shouldn’t be taken lightly).
Visit www.medlab.co for more.
