Your diet isn’t just about maintaining physical health — it also helps you stay mentally fit. An essential natural medicine for safeguarding brain health is vitamin B12, which provides your body with energy and nurtures brain function and memory. The professionals at the Ellenburg Center for Natural Medicine in Anchorage, AK, say it’s a vital part of a healthy diet and explain its benefits.

According to a Harvard Medical School article, a vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to an array of ailments. Physical symptoms include weakness, fatigue, anemia, and pins-and-needles feelings in the hands, legs, or feet. Mental effects of insufficient vitamin B12 range from difficulty with reasoning to memory loss, paranoia, and even hallucinations.

While brain atrophy is a normal part of the aging process, you can combat it by ensuring you consume a sufficient amount of vitamin B12. It exists naturally in many foods, including meat, eggs, and fish — especially salmon, mackerel, and sardines. Dietary changes supplemented by a multivitamin can address a shortage. 

People over 50 years old should ask their doctor to check their vitamin B12 level with a blood test. However, proper intake of this vitamin alone isn’t enough to safeguard your mental health as you age. A nutritious diet, regular exercise, mental stimulation, and limited stress are essential to preserving brain function.

If you want to know more about how Vitamin B12 can help you stay mentally fit, consult a health care professional about this amazing natural medicine. A physician or naturopathic treatments expert will advise you how to get the proper amount in your diet.

For expert wellness advice in the Anchorage, AK, area, turn to the Ellenburg Center for Natural Medicine. Dr. Michael J. Ellenburg offers natural medicine treatments tailored to each patient’s needs. His practice provides everything from acupuncture to nutritional counseling, using approaches that tap into your body’s ability to heal itself. Visit them online for an overview of their naturopathic services and call (907) 563-2366 to schedule an appointment. Like them on Facebook for more remedies and advice from their experts.