B12 injections give our bodies more resources to produce more red blood cells. These red blood cells carry more oxygen throughout the body. B12 injections can help those who receive such treatment feel more energetic and less tired.
Today, let us learn more about B12 deficiency and the signs that can tell us about this deficiency. Read until the very end and discover how this vitamin can help you.
What are B12 Injections?
Vitamin B12 shots, also called B12 injections, contain high levels of cyanocobalamin, which boosts B12 levels quickly in the body. The vitamins in injections are soluble in water, so your body stores and uses them as necessary. Injections require a prescription.
B12 injections are considered better options over traditional pills. The B12 injection enters the bloodstream directly. You bypass the stomach, where some nutrients may be lost by consuming the vitamin now. If you have symptoms of a B12 deficiency, a shot may be the best option.
Vitamin B12: What to Know
Vitamin B12 can do a lot of things for our bodies. This vitamin helps us make our DNA and red blood cells. Because our bodies do not make vitamin B12, we must get it from animal-based foods or supplements. And it would help if we did that regularly. Although B12 is stored in the liver for up to five years, we can eventually become deficient if our diets don’t help maintain safe levels.
Benefits of B12 Injections
Vitamin B12 injections have many benefits. These supplements may be a good option when you are deficient in vitamins. Your provider can recognize deficiency symptoms and order a test to confirm the diagnosis.
An injection may correct your body’s deficiency, reduce your risk of severe disease, and provide other benefits. These include:
- Provides better sleep
- Boosts the immune system
- Improves concentration and mood
- Enhances fertility
- Increases energy levels
- Stops hair loss
- Contributes to weight loss
In addition, B12 injections last about a week. We will discuss an injection schedule that meets your needs. There are plans for vitamin B12 treatments that you can customize based on the severity of the deficiency in each individual.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Most Americans get enough of the B12 nutrient. If you’re unsure, ask your doctor if you should get blood tests to see if your vitamin B12 levels are in check. It can be more challenging to absorb this vitamin as we get older. It can also happen after having weight loss surgery or other procedures that remove part of our stomach or if we are heavy drinkers.
We might also be more likely to develop vitamin B12 deficiency if we have or experience the following:
- Atrophic gastritis or the thinning of the stomach lining
- Pernicious anemia, which makes it hard to absorb B12
- Conditions that affect your small intestines (bacterial growth, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or parasites)
- Alcohol misuse or heavy drinking (makes the body complex to absorb nutrients or prevents eating enough calories)
- Glossitis or a swollen and inflamed tongue
- Disorders in the immune system (Graves’ disease or lupus)
- Intake of certain medications that interfere with the absorption of B12. This line-up includes some heartburn medicines like PPIs or proton pump inhibitors – rabeprazole (Aciphex), esomeprazole (Nexium), omeprazole (Prilosec OTC), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and pantoprazole (Protonix), H2 Blockers like famotidine (Pepcid AC) and cimetidine (Tagamet); and certain diabetes medicines like metformin (Glucophage)
Also get vitamin B12 deficiency if you follow a vegan diet (meaning you don’t eat animal products, including meat, milk, cheese, and eggs) or you are a vegetarian who doesn’t eat enough eggs or dairy products to meet your vitamin B12 needs. In both instances, we can add fortified foods to our diets or take supplements to meet this need.
For Pregnant or New Moms
Pregnant women on vegan or vegetarian diets who plans only to breastfeed their babies should talk to their doctors before having their babies. Doing so ensures that moms have a plan to get enough vitamin B12 and keep their babies healthy. Without enough B12, infants could have developmental delays and not thrive and grow as they should.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
If you have a vitamin B12 deficiency, you could become anemic. A mild lack may cause no symptoms. But you might have B12 deficiency symptoms if you experience certain signs or symptoms. If left untreated, it may lead to symptoms such as:
- Anemia
- A smooth tongue
- Constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or gas
- Fatigue
- Heart palpitations and shortness of breath
- Mental issues, such as depression, memory loss, or behavioral changes
- Nerve problems like numbers or tingling, muscle weakness, and problems with walking
- Numbness, tingling, or numbness in the head, legs, or feet
- Pale skin
- Problems thinking and even reasoning or memory loss
- Stumbling or issues with balance when walking
- Swollen or inflamed tongue
- Weakness, tiredness, or lightheadedness
- Vision loss
Treatment
For those with pernicious anemia or trouble absorbing vitamin B12, you’ll need shots of this vitamin first. You may be required to keep getting these shots, have a high-dose intake of supplements orally, or have it done nasally after that.
Others who don’t eat animal products still have options. They can change their diets and include vitamin B12-fortified grains, a supplement or B12 injections, or a high-dose oral vitamin B12 if you are deficient. Older adults with a vitamin B12 deficiency will likely have to take a daily B12 supplement or a multivitamin containing B12.
For most people, treatment resolves the problem. But, any nerve damage brought by this deficiency could be permanent.
Prevention
Most people can prevent vitamin B12 deficiency by eating enough meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, and eggs. Suppose you don’t eat animal products or have a medical condition limiting how well your body absorbs nutrients. In that case, you can take vitamin B12 in a multivitamin or other supplement and foods fortified with vitamin B12.
If you choose to take vitamin B12 supplements, let your doctor know, so they can tell you how much you need or ensure they won’t affect any medicines you’re taking.
The Bottom Line
B12 deficiency is an existing problem. But because of B12 injections, one who lacks this essential vitamin can recover, compensate for their loss, and live life normally. Discover how B12 injections can also help you recover and compensate.
Do you want to experience B12 injections? Our awesome friends at Age-Less Weigh-Less can help you today.
