You might have heard of all forms of suggestions to cure hangovers, including consumption of vitamin b12. Vitamin b12 is among the eight known B vitamins. It’s found in high concentration on animal products such as fish, eggs, milk, and meat. Persons who are strictly vegan or don’t consume animal products can fall deficient in vitamin b12.
And if you are wondering whether vitamin b12 is actually good enough for a hangover, then you’re not alone. At Hangover Hospital Key West, Florida, the 45-minute IV hangover relief will ensure that all your hangover symptoms are erased, and you can get back on your feet. In this article, we take a more detailed look into the Vitamin b12 hangover cure.
What Does Vitamin b12 Do?
Vitamin b12 is a co-factor, meaning that it’s a vital component for particular enzymes’ functioning. Mainly, b12 is essential in the synthesis of DNA, which supports the production of nerve cells and red blood cells. Therefore, deficiency results in a particular form of anemia that causes dysfunction in the nerve cells.
Even though vitamin b12 found highly concentrated in animal products, there are several b12 plant sources, but you will require a lot to maintain the stores. Vitamin b12 is stored in the liver cells, and for a healthy person with standard levels, they will have 3-5 years’ stores. Thus, it’s very hard to become b12 deficient regardless of whether you are an acute or chronic alcohol consumption.
Is b12 Great For Hangovers?
Even though there’s no proof that drinking affects b12 levels, can one find relief from hangovers after consuming b12? Many hangover supplements out there have this vitamin in their ingredient’s formula, although there isn’t much explanation to it.
Compiling evidence from past studies, it’s improbable that b12 will have any significance for hangovers. Mainly because you have years of b12 worth stored in the liver, replacing it by taking hangover supplements following a drinking spree won’t help you much.
What B-Vitamins Are Perfect For Hangovers?
Even though b12 might not carry hangover benefits, some studies show that alcohol can reduce the levels of the following B-vitamins:
- Vitamin b1
- Vitamin b2
- Vitamin b6
First, because alcohol is a diuretic, it forces you to excrete more water than you’re consuming. Unlike the b12 vitamins, which are stored, the vitamins b1, b2, and b6 tend to fluctuate after drinking.
Aside from the vitamin loss through excessive excretion by the kidneys, vitamin b1, b2, and b6 are vital for metabolizing food. Because alcohol is typically an energy source, and the vitamins are depleted, producing the enzymes used in breaking it down.
Besides, the vitamins are vital for regenerating antioxidants used in neutralizing the toxic by-products of alcohol breakdown. Thankfully, many hangover products in the market comprise these B vitamins that can help replenish the used-up stores.
Concluding Thoughts
That said, although research is limited on whether vitamin b12 is a viable hangover cure, it’s vital for nerve cell generation and the production of red blood cells. Other B-vitamins such as b1, b2, and b6 might make the difference as they are more involved in the metabolic processes responsible for breaking down alcohol. For more information on a potential hangover cure, request your appointment at Hangover Hospital today.