Your body needs its essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to fully function. In this article, we’ll focus on Vitamin B12, its role and importance, and how vitamin B12 injections can benefit you.
Vitamin B12: Definition and Role
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, also known as cobalamin. Water-soluble means that it’s a vitamin that can dissolve in water and flow through your bloodstream. It is one of the eight B-Vitamins, and it plays many roles in your body.
- Vitamin B12 keeps the nerve and blood cells healthy
- It helps create DNA
- It helps prevent megaloblastic anemia (red blood cells that are too big)
- It helps in the production of red blood cells
- It is important for brain function
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
A body with a low supply of vitamin B12 is more prone to weakness and fatigue. As mentioned, B12 helps make red blood cells, which are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout your body. When there’s not sufficient oxygen in your body, you feel tired and weak. Low vitamin B12 can also affect your memory and thinking.
Where to get Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is found in animal products. To raise your vitamin B12 level fast, regularly consume fish, meat, eggs, poultry, milk, and other dairies. You can also purchase B12 tablets over-the-counter. However, if you need a higher dose of vitamins, you need to get a prescription first.
Another method is through getting vitamin B12 injections. This option is recommended for people who badly need a supply of the vitamin in their body. Here is a list of the people at risk when they experience vitamin B12 deficiency:
- People with vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms
- Symptoms include decreased cognitive function, fatigue, issues with memories, lethargy, depression, and irritability. Sometimes you’ll experience headaches, constipation, and a sudden feeling of fainting.
- People with gastrointestinal problems
When the gastrointestinal tract starts to malfunction, it will inhibit the release of vitamin B12 from the protein to your body. Other functions that are supposed to follow get affected too. Also, people who underwent gastrointestinal surgery have fewer cells. It can alter the acid secretion of the stomach and therefore inhibit its vitamin B12 absorption.
- People who engage with these risky activities:
People who smoke, overdrink alcohol, take antacids, have diabetes or thyroid disorders, and follow the vegan and vegetarian diet have the highest risk for vitamin B12 deficiency. Gastrointestinal disorders and aging are also contributing factors. - If you take Metformin
Metformin is a medication used for many things: diabetes, prediabetes, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), weight loss and others. It depletes your B12 levels, if you are on Metformin, you should be supplementing with B12.
If you find yourself belonging to any of the mentioned groups, vitamin B12 injections can help improve your condition.
Vitamin B12 Injection Benefits
Getting a shot of vitamin B12 gives your body faster absorption since the vitamin is more quickly put into your bloodstream. The vitamin then will travel and pass by the gastrointestinal system, ensuring your body has enough supply of it.
Apart from that, here are some of the immediate benefits of a vitamin B12 shot:
- Boosts your immune system
- Helps improve your sleeping pattern
- Increases energy level
- Improves your concentration
- Improves your metabolism
Conclusion
One vitamin deficiency can already affect and weaken your entire body. Eat healthy to ensure that your body keeps on functioning as it should be. If you need a supplement or a shot, consult your healthcare provider.
At Well Life Medicine, we offer top quality B12 injections. We have clinics in Salem and Hillsboro. Contact us today to set an appointment!