Can taking vitamin B12 boost energy? Here’s what the science says.

 

Q: I’m tired often and heard that vitamin B12 can help with fatigue and boost energy levels. Should I be taking a supplement?

A: There’s no proven benefit to taking vitamin B12 for fatigue unless you have a deficiency that causes anemia. Start by asking your doctor for a simple set of blood tests for vitamin B12 and related biomarkers. Adults above age 65 and vegans are particularly at risk of a deficiency.

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If you’re deficient in the vitamin, you should take a supplement.

For everyone else looking for an energy boost, my advice as a rule of thumb in medicine is, where possible, less is more. Don’t take a supplement without a proven benefit. Instead, talk to your physician about other ways to help with energy levels, including making lifestyle changes or getting tested to rule out potential medical issues such as thyroid disease.

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What is vitamin B12 good for?

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that serves several important biological functions, including in metabolism and producing healthy blood cells. Here are the areas where we know supplementation can be beneficial: