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Vitamin B-12 Injections

Why Vitamin B-12 Injections?

Vitamin B-12 injections are very safe and are the best guarantee of getting the effective dose of this essential nutrient. Although vitamin B-12 can be taken sublingually (dissolved under the tongue going through the salivary tract), the absorption is very bad and fails to provide the health benefits that vitamin B-12 has to offer. Additionally, vitamin B-12 found in a B-Complex blend from various vitamin manufacturers also has the same absorption issues and is ineffective in delivering the adequate dose necessary to maintain health vitamin B-12 levels.

What Are Vitamin B-12 Injections Used To Treat?

Generally, vitamin B-12 injections are recommended for people that have a deficiency of vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 is a vital and necessary nutrient. A deficiency of vitamin B-12 can result in a range of health issues varying from lethargy and fatigue to long-lasting neurological changes.

What is Vitamin B-12?

Vitamin B-12 which is also known as cobalamin, is a water soluble vitamin that is essential in neuro function and DNA and red blood cell production, health of nerve cells and energy production. There are various forms of vitamin B-12, however, all the forms include the mineral cobalt. While vitamin B-12 is found in various sources of food, it is predominantly present in animal protein molecules.

In order for vitamin B-12 to become effective in the body, there must be sufficient stomach acid and an absorption material called intrinsic factor, in order to break the bond between the protein molecule and vitamin B-12. Anemics who are not able to absorb and utilize vitamin B12, have a deficiency of intrinsic factor. Moreover, it may take several years to realize a vitamin B-12 deficiency, due to the fact that it is stored in the liver.

Vitamin B-12 Injections For Best Absorption and Utilization

Besides getting vitamin B-12 from food, a synthetic form of high dose B-12 is available called cyanocobalamin. If left untreated, a deficiency of vitamin B-12 causes a lower production of red blood cells by the body and may cause medical conditions such pernicious anemia and neurological issues. Vitamin B-12 injections are the quickest way to increase B-12 levels in the blood and are generally prescribed by a doctor and are injected either intramuscularly or into muscle tissue. Injections of vitamin B-12 are highly effective for the prevention and or reversal of B-12 deficiencies.

What Are Symptoms of Vitamin B-12 Deficiency?

Some of the symptoms associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency include:

  • Reduced cognitive function, including but not limited to memory and/or comprehension.
  • Increase in fatigue, lethargy and feeling faint.
  • Trouble maintaining balance, vision problems, heart palpitations and headaches.
  • Depression and/or irritability.
  • Mouth ulcers, tongue discoloration and swelling.

Other contributory factors that lead to vitamin B-12 deficiency include:

  • Abuse of alcohol and drugs.
  • Crohn’s disease and other gastrointestinal conditions.
  • Certain prescription and non-prescription medications including antacids.
  • Diabetes and/or thyroid issues.
  • Post gastric bypass surgery.
  • Consuming a vegetarian and/or vegan diet.

Health Benefits From Vitamin B-12 Injections

As a result of the critical part that vitamin B-12 has in the body, major health issues can result due to a deficiency. Moreover, low levels of B-12 in the blood have been linked to several health concerns including, brain function, depression, osteoporosis and age-related macular degeneration.

A recent study has found that low levels of vitamin B-12 might be linked to the onset of dementia. People that are prone to dementia due to family medical history may greatly benefit in thwarting off this neurocognitive disorder with the aid of B-12 injections.

There are several studies that have shown a link between depressed persons and low levels of vitamin B-12. It was proposed that long-term B-12 injections kept the depressive symptoms at bay, and kept the patient from experiencing a relapse back into depression.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease where bone mass loss causes an increased chance of bone fractures due to the effect the disease has on weakening bones. Low levels of vitamin B-12 have been found in people with lower bone mass.

Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive health condition which results in a gradual loss of vision which affects both eyes. In a study of people 50 and older, it was found that those who supplemented with vitamin B-12, had a 35% lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.

Side Effects Associated With Vitamin B-12 Injections

Toxicity and/or overdose as a result of taking vitamin B-12 is exceptionally low, due to the fact that this vitamin does not have an upper limit. Mild side effect from vitamin B-12 injections may include, itching and/or redness at the injection site, mild diarrhea, minor swelling.

Additionally, there may be drug interactions as a result of B-12 injections and certain medications such as:

  • Antibiotics
  • Aspirin
  • Antagonists, H2 Receptor
  • Metformin
  • Oral Contraceptives
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors

Furthermore, people with allergies or certain medical conditions may have a reaction to a B-12 injection. Some of the allergies or medical conditions that could have a reaction with a B-12 injection include:

  • Cobalt or cyanocobalamin allergy.
  • Low potassium levels also known as hypokalemia.
  • Kidney disease.
  • Leber’s disease, a disease of the eye.
  • Deficiencies in nutrients such as folic acid and iron.