The vitamin has vital roles in the production of DNA and red blood cells, and in the proper functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B12 can be found in its natural form in food products such as dairy, meat, fish and eggs.

It can also be found in products which are fortified with B12, such as in plant-based milks and certain varieties of bread. It’s also commonly consumed in pill, drops, or spray form.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

B12 deficiency is very common. Those who are at the highest risk of developing a B12 deficiency are the elderly, children, pregnant or breast-feeding woman, those with diabetes, and people who follow a strict vegan or vegetarian diet.

It has been reported that Vitamin B12 deficiency is estimated to occur in about 20 percent of people who are over 60, and 6 percent for those under 60 in the United States.

You can become at risk of being deficient in B12 if you simply do not consume enough in your diet, or if you are not able to absorb enough of the nutrient into your cells. Due to this, people on a strictly plant-based diet are more susceptible to vitamin B12 deficiency, as plant foods do not naturally contain any of this vitamin (at least in a bio-available form).

It is therefore recommended that they take a B12 supplement in order to improve the levels in their blood and cells.

In addition, a protein that is produced in the stomach called intrinsic factor is also necessary to extract and absorb vitamin B12 from a particular food.

IMPORTANT: Some people with ‘pernicious anemia’ will produce an antibody in their stomach which neutralizes any intrinsic factor that they have produced – a type of autoimmune disease.

These individuals therefore cannot efficiently absorb Vitamin B12 from foods in their natural form, and may need to receive ‘artificial’ B12 as a replacement. This can be taken in the form of a tablet or spray.

Symptoms Of A Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Symptoms of a B12 deficiency can take years to show and can be complex to discover. Below are some of the signs that may occur if you have vitamin B12 deficiency:

• Fatigue – This can be caused by your body not being able to produce enough red blood cells due to the lack of Vitamin B12. Due to this, your body is unable to transport oxygen to your blood cells, which results in you feeling weak and tired.
• Changes To Mobility – If this deficiency is left untreated, it can result in affecting the way you are able to move by reducing co-ordination and balance. This symptom often goes undiagnosed in the elderly. The good news is that it can be prevented and improved if the deficiency is treated.
• Breathlessness – This is caused because your body is lacking the red blood cells it requires in order to get oxygen to your body’s cells.
• Sensation Of Pins And Needles – A long term effect and one of the more serious ones.
• Oral Symptoms – These oral symptoms include mouth ulcers, an inflamed tongue (glossitis), or itching/burning sensation in the mouth.
• Affected Vision – When B12 deficiency is left untreated, the nervous system can become damaged to the optic nerve that connects to the eye. The damage can disrupt the nervous signal that travels from your eye to your brain, which causes your vision to become impaired. This condition is known as optic neuropathy.

Vitamin B12 Injections And Sprays

In the late 1940s, artificial B12 was produced and injected into patients who suffer from Pernicious Anaemia at regular intervals. It is still treated in this way now.

However, over the past 5 decades, the time in which patients have to wait in between injections is now longer. This often leaves patients feeling the symptoms returning before their next injection and is where the B12 spray can be extremely beneficial.

The spray can be used in between the patient’s appointments in order to keep the symptoms away. It is absorbed via a membrane under the tongue and enters the bloodstream immediately.

This should then boost the patient’s energy and improve other symptoms until the next injection. However, some patients feel as though they do not need the injection and solely use the spray to improve their mild symptoms – such as their energy levels.

What Does A Vitamin B12 Spray Do?

A vitamin B12 spray is beneficial as it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream while bypassing the digestive system, which means it will get to work even quicker.

It works by being absorbed via the oral mucosa, as opposed to absorption in the small intestine with traditional B12 tablets. This lowers the risk of the vitamin B12 being destroyed by the gastric fluids, and hence why it is more bio-available to our cells.

It is safe to use as the body only absorbs as much as it needs, and any excess is passed through our urine.

Vitamin B12 sprays are known to have a better composition when compared to B12 tablets, as tablets contain many additives that are thought to negatively impact how the vitamin is absorbed.

The spray is also simple and easy to use, particularly for those who have difficulty swallowing tablets – making sprays ideal for the elderly and children.

What Are The Benefits Of Vitamin B12?

The benefits from adding a B12 supplement to your diet, include:

• Energy Boost – Vitamin B12 is involved in energy production in the body. This is the most common symptom people with vitamin B12 deficiency tend to suffer from. Therefore, taking a Vitamin B12 supplement may improve your energy levels and keep you active, but only if you are deficient in this vitamin already.
• Prevents Anemia – Vitamin B12 is part of the process in red blood cell formation. When vitamin B12 levels are low, the production of red blood cells is changed, which causes megaloblastic anemia.
• Supports Bone Health – Vitamin B12 can play a vital role in bone health. Low blood levels of vitamin B12 have often been associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis.
• Improved Mood – Vitamin B12 is required to produce serotonin, a chemical that is responsible for regulating mood. Vitamin B12 supplements could help to improve mood in people with depression who have an existing deficiency. A Vitamin B12 supplement is often taken in conjunction with an anti-depressant drug, and many studies have shown this can be beneficial.
• May Improve Heart Health – High blood levels of amino acid homocysteine have been previously linked to an increased risk of heart disease. If you’re significantly deficient in vitamin B12, your homocysteine levels can become elevated.
• Supports Healthy Hair, Skin and Nails – If you have low vitamin B12 levels it can cause various symptoms, including hyperpigmentation, nail discoloration and hair changes. So, taking a B12 supplement would be beneficial to you. If you take the supplement without having a deficiency you are not likely to notice a change.

What Are The Side Effects Of Vitamin B12

Side effects that can occur include:

• Itching
• Mild diarrhoea
• Skin rash
• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness

Other drugs that could interfere with your B12 supplement:

Aminosalicylic Acid

This drug which is used to treat digestive problems and can affect your absorption of Vitamin B12.

Metformin

This drug, which is used for those with diabetes, can also affect your absorption of Vitamin B12.

Vitamin C Supplement

Taking vitamin C with vitamin B12 may reduce the available amount of vitamin B12 in your body. To avoid this interaction, it is recommended that you take vitamin C at least 3 hours before and/or after taking a vitamin B12 supplement.

Omeprazole or Lansoprazole

These stomach acid-reducing drugs or other similar ones may decrease your absorption of B12.

How Much Vitamin B12 Is Needed And How Is It Tested?

To test your Vitamin B12 levels, you can go to your doctors or conduct a home test with a urine sample. If it measures below 150pg/ml (picograms per millilitre), your levels are low. If it measures at 200 to 600 pg/ml, your levels are normal. Finally, if it measures at 800mg/ml, it is high.

It is important to keep in mind that results vary in different laboratories, so it is worth consulting your doctor for accurate results.

Research has shown the daily amounts of Vitamin B12 that is needed for different age groups. The daily amounts are measured in micrograms.

• 14 – 18 years old – 2.4 mcg
• 18 and older – 2.4 mcg
• Pregnant women – 2.6 mcg
• Breastfeeding women – 2.8 mcg

What Form Of Vitamin B12 Is Best?

Based on the information gathered in this article, vitamin B12 spray is effective and easy to use. It can be conveniently carried around with you for when you feel you may need it and will work to help save you time and money.

The spray can be used in conjunction with a B12 injection if necessary or can be used solely to help reduce symptoms for those who suffer from mild symptoms from a B12 deficiency.

Also, the spray I keep recommending on this blog is infused with caffeine, which is ideal for those who are sensitive to coffee and energy drinks. It will provide you with an energy boost to keep you active and able to carry out your daily tasks.

While it is ideal to take a supplement to improve your levels of Vitamin B12, it is worth being aware of which food products can also contribute to improving your B12 levels, to improve your general health and support a healthy lifestyle.

These food products include liver, kidneys, clams, tuna, salmon, sardines, beef, nutritional yeast, fortified cereal and non-dairy milk.

While non-dairy milks do not naturally contain vitamin B12 as they are usually fortified with them, it is still a great source of B12 for those on a plant-based diet.

How To Use The Spray

The oral spray can be used daily, and your dosage is easy to administer. To use the spray, shake the bottle well before each use, carefully spray into your mouth, hold for a few seconds before replacing the cap after use. The dosage is equivalent to 0.9ml, with 33 dosages expected to be provided by the spray.

The post Vitamin B12 Spray: Which Brand Is Best? appeared first on Kobra Dynasty.

One of the primary functions of Vitamin B12 is to support the formation of red blood cells, which are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. Without enough Vitamin B12, the body can’t produce enough healthy red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. Anemia is a condition that can cause fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and other symptoms.

Vitamin B12 is also crucial for DNA synthesis, which is the process by which cells make new DNA molecules. This is essential for growth and development, as well as for repairing damaged cells. Without enough Vitamin B12, the body can’t make enough new cells, which can lead to a variety of health problems.

Another critical role of Vitamin B12 is in nerve function. The vitamin helps to maintain the myelin sheath that surrounds and protects nerve cells, allowing them to function properly. Without enough Vitamin B12, the myelin sheath can become damaged, which can lead to nerve damage and neurological problems.

In addition to its essential roles in red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and nerve function, Vitamin B12 also plays a critical role in maintaining overall health and well-being. Some of the other health benefits of Vitamin B12 include:

• Improved energy levels: Vitamin B12 helps to convert food into energy, so getting enough of this nutrient can help boost your energy levels.
• Better mood: Vitamin B12 is essential for the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are associated with mood regulation.
• Stronger immune system: Vitamin B12 is necessary for the production of white blood cells, which are critical for fighting off infections and diseases.
• Lower risk of heart disease: Some studies have suggested that getting enough Vitamin B12 may help lower your risk of heart disease by reducing levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that can damage the heart.

Despite its importance, many people don’t get enough Vitamin B12 in their diets. The vitamin is naturally found in animal-based foods like meat, fish, and dairy products, so vegans and vegetarians may be at risk for deficiency. Additionally, some people may have difficulty absorbing Vitamin B12 from their diet due to certain medical conditions or medications.

If you’re concerned about your Vitamin B12 intake, talk to your doctor about whether you should consider taking a supplement. Vitamin B12 supplements are widely available and can be an effective way to ensure that you’re getting enough of this essential nutrient to support your overall health and well-being.

The post The Importance of Vitamin B12 for Overall Health appeared first on Kobra Dynasty.

While they are ultimately responsible for making them popular again, meal replacement shakes have been around longer than me. They are nothing new!

Regardless of who came up with the idea of replacing meals with quickly made (yet nutritious) shakes, it is a genius concept. And they have been a life changer for me in many ways, some of which I will get into a bit later.

But first, what are the best meal replacement shakes?

Established vs. Hype Brands

A few years ago I came across a contributed article on Tim Ferris’ blog where a young guy documented going on this meal replacement shake for a few weeks and seeing tremendous benefits despite the shakes being absolutely disgusting in every way imaginable.

Now, as someone who loves food, the first thought that entered my mind was: Why would you do that to yourself?

New Meal Replacement Shake Brand

I then started looking into the company who’s shakes he was consuming and discovered that – at the time – they didn’t care one bit as to what the finished shake:

• looked like (it wasn’t an appetizing look)
• tasted like (it didn’t taste good at all)
• felt like (slimy texture… yuck)
• smelled like (not a pleasant aroma)
• etc

Turns out the only thing the creator of the shake was concerned with was that each shake had about a third of the important nutrients the human body needs to function, so that in replacing 3 meals a day with the shake, the consumer would get the recommended daily amount of nutrients.

He seemed to not care too much if the ingredients being used were synthetic instead of natural. Definitely a very tech/engineering approach to replacing meals.

I am not saying that to discredit or dismiss the company or it’s founders. In fact, I am absolutely intrigued by the momentum they created, the raving fan base they built (in record time), how they contribute to food banks, etc.

Pretty much exactly what I would want to do if I were to start a meal replacement company. Except my focus would be more on making sure the ingredients being used are as natural as possible.

Established Meal Replacement Shake Brand

I then remembered a company I used to be with that too had meal replacement shakes. Even though they marketed their shakes as weight management shakes, the nutritional ingredients were identical if not more extensive than those of the new company I just mentioned.

I then remembered that their shakes had a wide range of flavors to chose from. Which – for a food lover like me – is important. Shake or not – I like to enjoy my meals. I like them to not only be nutritious and satisfying, but taste, smell, feel and look appetizing as well.

So the idea of just gulping down something I didn’t enjoy did not interest me much – no matter how good it was supposed to be for me.

And so – when I finally came to a point where I wanted to replace 1 to 2 meals per day with a shake (for a myriad of reasons of which I will go into later), I ended up choosing the company that had a 40 year track record of making quality meal replacement shakes over a company that was just a few years old.

Best Meal Replacement Shake Company

Anytime I hear someone make a biased claim like “this company makes by far the best product” in whatever niche they are in, I shake my head. Did they try the product of every competing brand? If not, how do they know that their brand is the best?

The same rule applies here. I am not going to pretend that I have tried every meal replacement shake under the sun and that this is the best meal replacement shake company out there, but I will say I have tried and researched enough products (by different companies) to know value when I see it.

In this case, the protein shake that ticks all the boxes for me is the Herbalife meal replacement shake. Aside from an abundance of vitamins and minerals in their shakes, Herbalife has a few important factors going for it that most other meal replacement shake companies don’t have.

Here are just a few examples:

1.) Established Track Record

Herbalife isn’t a new company. Unlike most of the meal replacement shake companies out there, Herbalife has been around for 40 years. What other company has been improving and standing behind it’s products for this long? Not many!

No-one is in business for 40 years unless they have a pretty solid product. Period!

2.) Established Science

Again, 40 years of testing and tweaking with the oversight of dozens (possibly hundreds) of different doctors, nutritionists, and scientists, the Herbalife products are pretty solid.

To add to that: there are roughly 40 million health conscious people around the world consuming the Herbalife products right now. If the science had been off on these shakes for over 40 years, this would not be happening.

3.) Affordable Prices

I remember the first time I purchased the Herbalife meal replacement shakes I thought they were expensive. I suppose I wasn’t used to prepaying for 30 meals at once. Once I looked at it from that perspective, it seemed very affordable.

Also, when I attempted to purchase a similar powder from a couple other brands, I quickly realized how the Herbalife shakes were actually extremely competitively priced. Especially considering the companies long established reputation in the industry.

What’s more, if you buy in larger quantities like I am, you can easily get a 25% discount (message me if this is something that interests you), which makes these one of the most affordable meal replacement shake powders sold today.

4.) Complete Nutrition

Later I will get into how you can customize each shake to your needs/liking, but one thing I have always liked about Herbalife is that their products support (and can be customized to support) various nutritional needs. It’s not at all a one glove fits all approach.

Every one of their meal replacement protein powders comes with at 9 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and over 20 essential vitamins and minerals per serving.

On top of that, there is plenty of room for you to customize each shake/smoothie to be:

• the best meal replacement shake for weight loss
• the best meal replacement shake for muscle gain
• the best meal replacement shake for runners
• the best meal replacement shake for diabetics
• etc, etc.

I will get more into how I do this a little later, but for now…

Why Should You Consume Meal Replacement Shakes?

As just hinted at, people look for meal replacement shakes for a variety of reasons. My reason was to get my gut health under control. I was having so many food sensitivities that I was always in pain or discomfort.

Replacing 1 to 2 meals a day with a nutritious meal replacement protein shake has allowed me to get that part of my life under control. No more pain. No more discomfort. And I feel healthier and stronger than I felt in my youth.

Here are some more reasons as to why people choose to replace their meals with the Herbalife meal replacement protein shakes.

1.) To Save Time & Simplify Daily Life

It really depends on how you make your shake, but a simple version – where you put the powder and your choice of milk into a shaker bottle and shake it – can be made within 30 seconds and can be consumed within a minute or two.

This makes it a huge time saver. Not just that, but it makes it extremely convenient as well. No need to spend an hour or more every day cooking or eating out. You got all the fuel you need with less than a minute of prep time. It doesn’t get any easier than this.

2.) To Balance Daily Nutritional Intake

Having a toast with jam first thing in the morning is nice, but how nutritious is it really? Having those hamburgers and fries for lunch is delicious, but how stuffed and tired will you feel after? Having pizza for supper is fun and convenient sometimes, but again: does it have the optimal nutrients your body needs to run on all cylinders?

Whether you replace one meal a day or three meals a day with the Herbalife meal replacement shakes, you can rest easy knowing that your body gets the nutrients it needs to thrive. Especially if you customize the shake to your needs (as I outline further down this page).

3.) To Help Deal With Food Allergies & Sensitivities

As mentioned earlier, this was the primary reason for me to start replacing meals with these protein shakes. I had severe bloating issues whenever I ate something containing wheat or cow milk. On top of that I was supposedly allergic to eggs (according to an allergy test I did).

This didn’t leave me with many breakfast options. So I started replacing my breakfasts with the Herbalife meal replacement shakes. At times I will even replace lunch (and/or) supper with a shake and I always feel great doing so.

4.) To Help With Weight Management

Weight loss (weight management) is by far the most common reason why people take meal replacement shakes.

It is also the main reason Herbalife made the meal replacement protein powder to begin with: to help men and women from all walks of life burn fat and then make it easy to keep off as well.

You can – however – use these shakes to gain healthy amounts of muscle weight as well if that is your end goal. Instead of using them to replace a meal, you would add them to a meal – thereby increasing your daily calorie intake instead of reducing it.

Why Herbalife Meal Replacement Shakes?

I am careful with what I put in my body. You could argue I am not very trusting of mass produced consumables. So finding a product with a long history of consumption was important to me. Herbalife ticks that box with 40 years of history in the meal replacement category.

Herbalife has been under the microscope too long to have subpar products. Beyond that though…

Herbalife Gives You Options

As delicious as the Herbalife shakes are (they really are), I like to mix things up so it isn’t the same shake every time.

Flavors:

First off, I love the ability to pick a different flavor whenever I feel like it. Depending on what country you live in, Herbalife has a wide range of flavors. Here are the ones available to me in Mexico:

• Dulce de Leche (caramel)
• Vanilla
• Strawberry (my daughter’s favorite)
• Banana (my favorite)
• Choco Mix Mokaccino
• Choco-Hazelnut
• Coconut
• Cookies’ n Cream (my wife likes this one)
• Strawberry
• Tropical Fruits
• Piña Colada (great addition to a real Piña Colada

Optional Add-ons

These shakes are formulated to give you the nutrients you normally need to get from a meal, except at about half the calorie count. This makes them ideal if you want to lose weight or if you don’t live a physically active lifestyle (where you don’t burn a lot of calories).

I personally don’t consume these shakes to lose weight (although they have helped me manage my weight), so I am not too worried about the calorie count. Meaning I usually throw in a real fruit into the blender with the roughly 25 grams of recommended powder – just to boost my fresh fruit intake for the day.

I often add one of the following:

• a banana
• an apple
• a handful of fresh or frozen berries
• a table spoon of powdered additive like:
  • hemp protein
  • spirulina
  • moringa
  • acai
  • etc
• a table spoon of coconut oil
• etc.

Point is: a shake will have less calories than a typical meal. So unless you are trying to use meal replacement shakes for weight-loss, you can add your fruit of choice into it. Ultimately giving you the freedom to have a different tasting (yet delicious) shake every meal of the week.

Heck, some mornings I’ll blend the shake powder with a cup of soy-milk and pour it over my cornflakes. It’s to die for delicious

Herbalife Saves You Money

The cost of a Herbalife meal replacement shake obviously depends on how you prepare it. I laid out some of my favorite ways of doing it earlier (25 grams of powder, a cup of soy-milk, plus whatever else I feel like adding), but it costs me a whole lot less than I would pay if I were to eat out that meal and on average probably less that it would cost me to cook something at home.

The cost of a container can seem expensive at first, but when you look at how much time and money you save by replacing 30 meals, it is starting to make a lot of economical sense. And it sure is a whole lot more nutritious than a typical on the go sandwich.

Where To Get The Best Meal Replacement Shakes

I have seen people buy the Herbalife meal replacement shakes off of Amazon but I strongly discourage it. And for good reasons:

1. They aren’t actually Herbalife products. With so many fake products being sold online, you just never know if the product is legit… even if the containers appear to be legit. What if the container being sold was resealed and sold as new? You just can’t be 100% certain what you’re getting when purchasing from any source that isn’t the official one. So DO NOT BUY HERBALIFE PRODUCTS FROM THIRD PARTY SOURCES.
2. It isn’t fresh inventory. Distributors often buy large quantities of Herbalife products to get a discount. When they don’t use all that inventory, they attempt to sell it through sites like Amazon. This often leads to them selling products near or past the expiry date. NOT GOOD!
3. You get no guarantee. Herbalife is so committed to their product that – if for whatever reason you do not like the shake – you send the container back within 30 days for a full refund. No questions asked. When you purchase through Amazon, you bypass this guarantee. So… DON’T DO IT!

I always order mine directly from their closest warehouse. That way I always get fresh products and have the official Herbalife guarantee with each product I get. No room for monkey business that way.

To get your own meal replacement shake protein powder, order them here.

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