Vitamin B12 Injection Benefits

What is Vitamin B12?

Our bodies require vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in order to function properly. When we don’t give our bodies the vitamins it needs, it can lead to serious health conditions and a decline in our overall well-being. Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that your body can’t make on its own. It helps maintain brain functioning, supports the production of red blood cells, helps make DNA, assists in metabolism, and so much more.

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that we obtain from the foods we eat. It is mostly found in foods of animal origin, including meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy products. Fortunately, for vegetarians and vegans it is also found in fortified cereals, such as Special K, Kashi GO, and Cheerios.

When it comes to a deficiency of Vitamin B12, this can lead to weight gain, depression, disease, fatigue and many other symptoms. In order to prevent a deficiency, we must ensure we are consuming an adequate amount of Vitamin B12, whether through the foods we eat, a dietary supplement, or an injection.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

A deficiency of B12 affects between 3-43% of older adults. A deficiency in Vitamin B12 may lead to fatigue, problems with balance, depression, confusion, poor memory, infertility, pale skin, heart palpitations, nerve problems, and damage to the nervous system. The Reference Daily Intake (RDI) of Vitamin B12 is about 2.4 mcg, but slightly higher for those who are pregnant or nursing.

You can consume a dietary supplement of Vitamin B12 but, unfortunately, sometimes our bodies don’t absorb vitamins through our stomach correctly. When you consume Vitamin B12 through food, the hydrochloric acid in the stomach separates the vitamin B12 from the protein, binds with another protein called intrinsic factor, and the body absorbs them together. When you consume Vitamin B12 through a dietary supplement, the B12 in the supplement combines with intrinsic factor to be absorbed.

Certain people who may not be getting enough Vitamin B12 or have trouble absorbing it are:

• People with pernicious anemia, an autoimmune disease, have trouble absorbing Vitamin B12 from foods and dietary supplements.

• People with autoimmune disease called atrophic gastritis might not absorb enough Vitamin B12 because they make too little hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor in their stomach.

• For people on vegetarian or vegan diets, up to 90% have a vitamin B12 deficiency.

• Many older adults don’t have enough hydrochloric acid in their stomach to absorb the vitamin B12 that’s naturally present in food.

• People who have had intestinal surgery might not make enough hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor to absorb Vitamin B12.

• People who have disorders of the stomach and small intestine, such as Celiac Disease or Crohn’s disease.

That’s where Vitamin B12 injections help. B12 injections bypass the stomach and go straight into the bloodstream. Vitamin B12 injections are safe, even in large doses. If you have excess Vitamin B12, it is stored in your liver and saved for future use. Eventually, it is excreted through your urine. 

What are the Vitamin B12 Injection Benefits?

As mentioned above, you may benefit from Vitamin B12 injections if you have had intestinal surgery, have autoimmune disease or problems with your stomach. In addition, Vitamin B12 injections benefit many people with multiple health conditions, including if you have fatigue or lack of energy, a vegan or vegetarian diet, anemia, anxiety or depression, a weak immune system, slow metabolism, or poor sleep.

By regularly getting a B12 injection, your body gets immediate health benefits. An injection is also more effective than ingestion or absorption of Vitamin B12 through diet or supplements. The Vitamin B12 injection benefits are listed below:

1. Balance or Increase in Your Metabolism

Vitamin B12 plays an important role in your metabolism. It boosts your metabolism, increases your energy and aids in weight loss management. It helps your metabolism function better and converts fats and proteins into energy. 

2. Prevents Anemia 

Vitamin B12 aids in the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells transport oxygen to other cells in your body, providing fuel for your cells to produce energy. A lack of red blood cell production will make you feel fatigued, low energy and lead to anemia. B12 prevents anemia and helps your body produce enough red blood cells. 

3. Better Sleep

Vitamin B12 is a key factor in the production of tryptophan, the amino acid found in foods that make you feel drowsy. A lack of Vitamin B12 slows down the tryptophan production, causing restless nights. B12 injections can help you get better sleep.

4. Improves Mental Clarity and Brain Health

Vitamin B12 aids in normal functioning of the nervous system. It helps with mental clarity and improves your memory. Because it helps with cell metabolism and formation, it plays a key role in the cells and neurons in your brain. It helps the regeneration process of nerve fiber sheaths which helps protect and speed up the brain process.

5. Improved Mood

Your brain is in control of your mood. Since Vitamin B12 aids in brain health and cell formation, it also improves your emotions. It plays a role in the creation of serotonin, the chemical that boosts your mood. It promotes well-being, mood, focus and concentration.

6. Improves Hair, Skin, and Nails

A lack of B12 may lead to hair loss or hair thinning. Because cells are not being metabolized efficiently, it is difficult for hair growth to occur normally. New cells need Vitamin B12 to form properly. It helps in cell reproduction and constant renewal of the skin. Having adequate Vitamin B12 levels will keep your hair, skin, and nails healthy.

For other methods on improving hair restoration, check out our PRP Har Restoration treatment.

7. Balanced Immune System

Because Vitamin B12 aids in the formation of cells, it also supports a healthy immune system. Vitamin B12 regulates the immune system and helps your body fight off bacteria, viruses and infections.

What are the Vitamin B12 Injection Side Effects?

Side effects of Vitamin B12 are rare and generally mild. Possible side effects include mild nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea or due to the sudden boost of vitamins. If this does occur, it should resolve quickly. Possible additional side effects include headache, dizziness or pain at the injection site. Vitamin B12 injections are given intramuscularly. The intramuscular injections may be rotated between the upper arm, thigh, or buttock to minimize pain and inflammation.

Allergic reactions are extremely rare with Vitamin B12 injections, but also possible. Side effects of an allergic reaction are itching, hives, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of the tongue, throat, or mouth.

Recent studies of excess Vitamin B12 has shown an increase in acne and rosacea breakouts. If you believe your Vitamin B12 is either low or excessively high, you may want to get it tested.

Vitamin B12 injections have multiple benefits. It is so important to listen to your body and give it the vitamins and nutrients it needs. A Vitamin B12 injection may be the solution your body needs. Promote your overall well-being and invest in your health by getting a Vitamin B12 Injection today!

XO, Pure Bliss Aesthetics