B12 Injections FAQ
What is B12?
Vitamin B12 is an essential water soluble vitamin. Many body functions require vitamin B12. Its major role is to help with metabolization and cell formation. It also helps neurons and cell development, which contributes to brain activity. It is necessary for DNA synthesis and red blood cell production. It helps the body convert food into glucose which is also essential for brain activity.
What are the uses of B12 Injections?
Anemia caused by a lack of vitamin B12 is usually curable with diet and vitamin supplementation or injections. Boost your vitamin B12 intake by consuming more foods containing it, such as:
- Steak, chicken, and liver
- Lactose-free milk, yogurt, and butter
- Breakfast cereal with added nutrients
- Eggs
- Trout, salmon, tuna fish, and clams
A doctor may recommend oral supplementation or vitamin injections if a person's vitamin B12 levels are low due to a medical condition. Injections are typically used for people whose bodies have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 such as in certain autoimmune diseases such as Chron’s disease or celiac, as well as those who have had gastric bypass surgery. This is because injections allow the body to absorb vitamin B12 without passing via the digestive system. Both dietary B12 and oral supplements pass through the digestive system requiring your body to be able to absorb it before being able to use it. Another group of people who would benefit from B12 shots are vegetarians and vegans. Evan with a varied diet, this group often do not get enough absorbable B12 from their food and often have a B12 deficiency.
You can get higher-dose of vitamin B12 shots if you are seriously deficient.Treatment for the underlying medical issue causing your anemia may also be required.
Depending on the medical reason for your B12 deficiency, you may need to take oral vitamin B12 tablets or get B12 injections periodically to maintain healthy levels. After increasing your B12 levels, you should feel better and more energized. Maintaining your vitamin B12 levels is critical. Choosing to ignore it for an extended period can harm your heart, nerves, bones, and other body parts.
Benefits of Proper B12 Levels
- Aids in red blood cell formation and the prevention of anemia
Vitamin B12 is necessary for the formation of red blood cells. Red blood cell production is disrupted when vitamin B12 levels are too low, resulting in megaloblastic anemia.
- Major Birth Defects Could Be Avoided
A healthy pregnancy requires adequate vitamin B12 levels. They are essential in avoiding congenital brain and spinal cord disorders.
- Vitamin B12 is very important for bone health.
Low levels of this vitamin in the blood have been related to an increased risk of osteoporosis.
- Could Lower Your Risk of Macular Degeneration
Maintaining adequate vitamin B12 levels in your blood lowers homocysteine levels. This may aid in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration.
- Improves Mood and Depression Symptoms
Vitamin B12 is required to produce serotonin, a chemical that regulates mood. People who are lacking in vitamin B12 may benefit from supplementation.
- It Could Help Your Brain By Preventing Neuron Loss.
Vitamin B12 aids in the prevention of brain atrophy and also memory issues. More research is required to determine whether taking this supplement can improve memory in people who do not have a deficiency.
- Energy Boost
Vitamin B12 assists your body in producing energy. If you are low in this vitamin, taking a supplement may help you feel more active.
Vitamin B12 Shots Vs. Oral Supplements
Vitamin B-12 pills and injections are effective ways to increase B12 levels in the body if there are no underlying issues with your body being able to absorb B12. When tested, none is more effective than the other, providing similar results. However oral B12 was much slower to recover deficiencies than injections and do not last in the body as long as injections.