Getting the right balance of vitamins and nutrients in your diet can feel like a constant battle. While most of us will get what we need from the diet we eat, B12 can be particularly difficult for those who don’t or can’t eat certain foods such as meat, shellfish, eggs and dairy. With around 15% of people failing to get the right levels of Vitamin B12 through their diet alone and with the body unable to produce any for itself, supplements and injections have become a common solution.
Our Vitamin B12 injections are designed to provide a much-needed vitamin boost, particularly to those who may be experiencing signs of deficiency including exhaustion, brain fog, a rapid heartbeat, frequent headaches or other relevant symptoms. We’re exploring the benefits, here.
How Do Vitamin B12 Injections Work?
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Vitamin B12 is a vital component in ensuring we function properly in our day to day lives. It helps us stay energetic, protects us against a number of health issues and studies have even suggested that it can improve your memory and overall brain function. Vitamin B12 injections typically contain synthetic Vitamin B12 – a man-made version called cyanocobalamin – and can quickly boost the levels of B12 in a person’s system as needed.
An injection is one of the most effective ways to get B12 and is typically used for those who might not benefit from tablets, liquids or capsule supplements for any reason. They are typically injected into a muscle or under the skin and the dose you will be given will ultimately depend on your age, whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your diet and if you have any existing medical conditions. As Vitamin B12 is also water-soluble, any excess of the vitamin that your body doesn’t need or have the capacity for will pass through and remove any risk of overdose.
Who Could Benefit?
While most people can benefit from a B12 injection, certain groups of people may see more obvious benefits than others:
- People With Signs Of B12 Deficiency
Any person with the signs or symptoms of a B12 deficiency should pay a visit to their doctor, but an injection may still provide them with benefits. Signs to look out for include fatigue and lethargy, depression, irritability, headaches, difficulty with balance, decreased cognitive function, constipation, sore or swollen tongue, heart palpitations, mouth ulcers, pins and needles and changes to vision.
If you are experiencing any of the above, a Vitamin B12 shot could provide you with some relief from the symptoms, but you should still consult your GP to rule out any other causes. This is particularly important if you are part of any of the groups considered to be at high risk of B12 deficiency, including alcoholics, smokers, those on diabetes drugs, adults over 65, those with gastrointestinal disorders and those who have had surgery relating to the digestive tract.
- People With Gastrointestinal Issues
As mentioned above, if you’re suffering from any gastrointestinal disorders, you may be at a higher risk of Vitamin B12 deficiency. This is because issues with regular function of the gastrointestinal tract can prevent the proper release and absorption of the vitamin, which can cause a deficiency if not supplemented properly. Injections are particularly good in these cases, as they bypass the tract for higher absorption rates than with food or oral supplements.
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- Adults over the age of 65
Due to a number of common issues associated with ageing, including the reduced production of stomach acid, men and women over the age of 65 may be more prone to a B12 deficiency. For this reason, people in this age group are often recommended to either take supplements, eat fortified foods or get regular injections.
- Vegetarians and Vegans
Vitamin B12 isn’t produced by our bodies despite being one of the most important nutrients needed for everyday function. However, it can be found in foods like fish, eggs, meat and dairy products. For this reason, those eating a vegetarian or a vegan diet are more prone to B12 deficiency and will, therefore, need to supplement this. Injections are particularly beneficial for pregnant women who may follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, as it can more accurately ensure that both mum and baby are getting the right volume that they need.
The Benefits
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Even if you don’t suffer from a deficiency, a B12 boost can still provide a number of benefits, from reducing the risk of deficiency-related conditions to improving brain function, bone health and giving you an overall energy boost:
- Reduced risk of associated complications
Even if you aren’t showing pressing signs of a B12 deficiency, many of us still aren’t getting the right volume every day, particularly if we’re sick, pregnant or breastfeeding. Vitamin B12 shots can help to prevent the associated complications of deficiency, including heart disease, coordination problems, vision loss, infertility, neurocognitive disorders and peripheral neuropathy. Some of these conditions can be solved with an injection, but we can discuss this with you on a case-by-case basis.
- Higher Level Of Absorption
When injected into the body, Vitamin B12 can bypass the gastrointestinal tract and go directly where it’s needed – for this reason, a shot can be a better choice than oral supplements for a higher level of assimilation. This is particularly beneficial for adults over 65 and those with problems or previous surgery in the digestive tract.
- May Help Brain Function
While B12 can’t necessarily improve your brain function on its own, it can help to prevent the loss of neurons associated with memory reduction. Some studies suggest that it can even slow down the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. One study, in particular, suggested that while it could not reverse the effects, a mixture of B12 and Omega-3 could slow down mental decline for early-stage dementia patients.
It has also been suggested that B12 deficiency could be a cause of poor memory on a shorter-term basis, which may be helped by a B12 injection or supplement.
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- May Reduce Depression Risk
Studies into depression have suggested that low B12 can be a cause of a depressed mood. B12 is a key player in the production of the mood-regulating chemical serotonin and when your body is lacking the vitamin, production can decrease. While B12 injections can’t cure depression on their own, they have been known to relieve or reduce some of the symptoms and can also be used to reduce the risk of severe cases of depression.
- May Promote Bone Health
While a B12 shot won’t immediately solve any bone-related issues you may have, the ongoing maintenance of a healthy level may help to promote your bone health. Those suffering from B12 deficiency have been known to have lower than normal bone mineral density, which can lead to osteoporosis over time.
- May Give An Energy Boost
All B vitamins, not just B12, play an important part in how your body produces energy. A lack of B12 in the body can lead to fatigue and tiredness and for this reason, those of us with a deficiency could see an energy boost after a Vitamin B12 injection.
To get your Vitamin B12 boost via an injection, you can speak to a member of our team or book your appointment, today.