Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B12
For the health condition: Nervous Exhaustion

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is scientifically recognized as an essential nutrient for the normal functioning of the nervous system. It plays a crucial role in myelin synthesis (the protective sheath around nerves) and in the production of neurotransmitters. Deficiency of vitamin B12 is well-documented to cause neurological symptoms such as fatigue, memory loss, depression, numbness, and in severe cases, irreversible nerve damage. The term "nervous exhaustion" is somewhat nonspecific, historically used to describe symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and decreased mental energy or "neurasthenia." In clinical practice, individuals with B12 deficiency may present with similar symptoms, and supplementation can reverse these symptoms when deficiency is the cause.

However, the use of vitamin B12 to treat "nervous exhaustion" in people with normal B12 status is not strongly supported by scientific evidence. Studies show that supplementation is effective only in those who are deficient. In cases of unexplained fatigue or exhaustion without laboratory-confirmed B12 deficiency, supplementation has not consistently shown benefit. Thus, while vitamin B12 is essential for neurological health and can treat symptoms resembling nervous exhaustion in deficient individuals, its use as a general tonic for nervous exhaustion in the absence of deficiency is not well-validated. The overall evidence rating is moderate (3/5), reflecting strong evidence for its use in deficiency, but limited support for broader application.

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