Vitamin B12 for College Students
Between early classes, finals, social obligations, jobs, and more, the life of a college student can be draining. Fast food is easy and by the time you can even think about going to the gym or a jog outside, you feel as though a nap would be more beneficial. Unfortunately, with personal health often taking a backseat, it’s easy to become vitamin deficient, leading you to have a variety of health concerns that could be hurting your ability to perform your best as a student. While it can be difficult to come back from a deficiency by diet alone, thankfully there are supplements to help give you the boost you need, like the vitamin B12 injection.
How Did I Become Vitamin Deficient?
Think over your daily eating habits. Some dining halls may not offer the most comprehensive meals, or easily tempt you with some delicious yet non-nutritious options. If you live in a dorm or even your own apartment, making an easy meal in the microwave is top-priority. Perhaps ordering takeout is easiest on those days you’re cramming in a study session or just feeling downright lazy. When you’re running late to class, a quick and easy on-the-go breakfast burrito seems like a good choice. And, after a night of overindulgence, finding some greasy food to soak it all up is first on your agenda.
It’s okay to have some of these foods in moderation, but when they begin to take over your diet, essential vitamins are left out, leaving your body feeling sluggish and bloated, as well as resulting in unhealthy weight gain. Unfortunately, even those who pay attention to what they consume may be deficient if specific nutrients aren’t consumed at the right time with the right foods at the correct daily rate. It’s a complicated word problem that not many have time to properly figure out.
What is a Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
Vitamin B12 is one that is very important to our overall brain function and helps support myelin, which is what allows the nerve pulses to be conducted. Because it is a water-soluble vitamin, it is one that needs to be consumed daily, but can be stored in the liver for up to five years. It can be found naturally in foods like beef, pork, lamb, seafood, milk, eggs, and more. If your diet has been lacking this nutrition for some time, it’s possible you may have become deficient much sooner than you thought.
When you’re deficient in B12, you may have the following symptoms:
- Exhaustion
- Light-headedness
- More rapid heartbeat and breathing
- Pale skin
- Lower mood
- Lower concentration level and poor memory
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Possible increase in depression or anxiety
A vitamin B12 deficiency is most common for vegetarians, vegans, those with intestinal disorders and diabetes, but anyone is at risk if consuming an insufficient diet.
The Vitamin B12 Injection
It can be difficult to naturally ingest enough B12 to make up for a deficiency, which is where the vitamin B12 injection comes in. It is a simple shot that can help:
- Improve your energy level, mood, and ability to concentrate
- Boost your immune system
- Sleep sounder without interruption
- Reduce depression and cognitive decline
The injection is quick, and if you visit us at Midwest Express Clinic, we offer online virtual check-in to minimize your wait, having you back to your busy college life in no time. Don’t sit around feeling like you are just dragging yourself through the day, visit us today!