Can you lose weight with vitamin B12?

The human body needs vitamins to survive. We take in most of these vitamins through food and thus cover our needs. This is because foods such as meat, fruit and vegetables generally contain all the vitamins the body needs in sufficient quantities. Each vitamin fulfils certain functions in the body. Vitamin B12 is important for three functions at once: it affects the nerves, blood and metabolism.

Vitamin B12 is found in meat, especially offal, and fish. Eggs and dairy products also contain vitamin B12, albeit in lower concentrations. Plant-based products such as seaweed, shiitake mushrooms, sauerkraut or tempeh can also contain B12, but in much smaller amounts. In some cases, they only contain traces of the vitamin or an inactive form of the vitamin. Like many other vitamins, vitamin B12 is also available to buy as a dietary supplement.

We have summarised further information on vitamin B12 for you here.

How do I notice a vitamin B12 deficiency?

A vitamin B12 deficiency can be identified by various symptoms. These include tiredness, lack of concentration, headaches, tingling in the extremities, confusion and hair loss. The longer the deficiency remains untreated, the more serious the symptoms can become. A deficiency can even lead to anaemia, gait instability, depression, muscle weakness and paralysis. However, all these symptoms never clearly indicate a vitamin B12 deficiency, as they can also indicate many other illnesses. If these symptoms occur over a longer period of time, it is advisable to consult a doctor to determine the actual cause.

What does it mean to suffer from a B12 deficiency and gain weight at the same time?

It is more common for a vitamin B12 deficiency and weight gain to occur at the same time. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the B12 deficiency is the reason for the weight gain. This is why many people also wonder whether taking vitamin B12 supplements can help them lose weight. But it's not quite that simple. It is therefore important to take a closer look at the connection between gaining or losing weight and a possible deficiency.

Is there a link between a vitamin B12 deficiency and weight gain?

If these symptoms occur at the same time, it is indeed likely that there is a correlative link - a causal link, on the other hand, is unlikely. There are two possibilities here: Firstly, it is possible that both the vitamin B12 deficiency and the obesity are triggered by a disease. This could be autoimmune thyroiditis, for example. In addition to weight gain, the symptoms of this disease also include a reduction in the body's ability to absorb vitamins, which in turn can lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency.

The second possibility is that chronic fatigue as a symptom of a vitamin B12 deficiency in the body (in addition to fatigue and reduced resilience) means that those affected are less active and do not get enough exercise. It is not difficult to visualise the connection between constant exhaustion and weight gain: If you're constantly exhausted, it's hard to get yourself to exercise or cook healthy meals. As a result, the body can quickly put on some fat. If you are trying to lose weight and fail to lose weight despite dieting, you should find out what the underlying causes of your excess weight might be.

However, even if a causal relationship between a vitamin B12 deficiency and weight gain has not yet been sufficiently scientifically proven, it is known that vitamin B12 is significantly involved in the conversion of fat and carbohydrates into energy and supports the normal functioning of the metabolism.

What do these findings mean?

The link between a B12 deficiency and weight gain is not demonstrably causal. Therefore, the statement that a B12 deficiency leads to an increase in body weight is not correct. This is because weight gain as a direct consequence of a vitamin B12 deficiency has not been sufficiently scientifically proven - despite several studies on this topic.

Nevertheless, there is a connection between the two - just not as straightforward a cause-and-effect relationship as it might seem at first glance. Instead, it may be that the vitamin deficiency and the increase are both indicators of one and the same disease.

If you notice both problems, you should have yourself examined and seek medical advice. It is important to mention both symptoms. The doctor can then decide which further examinations are necessary in order to make a concrete diagnosis. In particular, an examination of the thyroid gland should be considered. The good thing is that a successful diagnosis and treatment can kill two birds with one stone: the symptoms of thyroid disease and other symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency disappear.

How can the B12 balance be restored?

This depends on the cause of the vitamin B12 deficiency. Either there is an illness that prevents the absorption of vitamin B12, or the body has simply not been supplied with enough B12 through food or diet. This is particularly often the case with a vegan or vegetarian diet, where no conscious attention is paid to additional B12 intake. If this is the case, the diet should definitely be adjusted. Either by eating more foods containing B12 or by taking dietary supplements. And that is good news: changes to the diet are always a better solution than taking medication. What is expressly not recommended, however (even though B12 is a water-soluble vitamin and overdosing cannot occur), is to take additional supplements if you have a normal vitamin B12 level.

If the B-12 deficiency occurs due to an illness that blocks the absorption of this vitamin, this must of course be treated. This should always be done in consultation with a doctor. After a certain period of time, the doctor should then also check whether the B12 level has normalised accordingly.

And one thing is clear: if you eat a balanced and conscious diet, you can positively influence both your B12 level and your own body weight.

We have summarised more information on vitamin B12 for you here.

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