Vitamin B12 is a powerhouse. It helps make DNA, nerve, and blood cells and is crucial for a healthy brain and immune system. Your metabolism wouldn’t run smoothly without it. But B12 isn’t like other vitamins. It’s only found in animal products like eggs, meat, shellfish, and dairy. Up to 15% of people don’t get enough B12.
B12 hasn’t nicknamed the energy vitamin for nothing. Inadequate B12 intake makes a dent in red blood cell production, and some of the earliest signs of a deficiency include feeling dragged, confused, and weak.
However, these clues are so vague, and not everyone experiences them the same way. And since they can be attributed to so many other possible triggers, most people don’t think to be tested. Consult your doctor and rule out other causes first.
Beef liver and clams are tops in B12, according to the National Institutes of Health. If you’re not a fan of either, plenty of good options abound. Beef, turkey, oysters, chicken, trout, and salmon are B12 superstars; a serving of each delivers close to or more than 100% of your recommended daily requirement.
