Nowadays, Vitamin B12 deficiency is common among all of us. In most cases it is considered safe to take supplements through injections to make up for this deficiency, but if you want to know more about it then this article is for you. Vitamin supplements are very popular, not just vitamin B12 but supplements for all vitamins. People often believe that they will act as a safety net and help ensure adequate nutrient intake.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is widespread. Nowadays people regularly get injections of Vitamin B12. They are claimed to help improve energy levels, brain function and weight loss.

Read more - (Boost Your B12: Essential Foods Rich in Vitamin B12)

  1. What is Vitamin B12
  2. Who is Deficient in Vitamin B12?
  3. Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
  4. Risks of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
  5. Are Vitamin B12 Injections Effective
  6. Health Benefits of Vitamin B12
  7. Safety and Side Effects of Vitamin B12
  8. Ways to Get Vitamin B12
  9. Summary

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, also known as cobalamin. It plays an important role in brain function and the production of DNA and red blood cells. Chemically, vitamin B12 exists in several different forms. However, vitamin B12 can be stored in the liver for a long time, so it does not easily become deficient.

 

The recommended daily dose of vitamin B12 for adults over the age of 19 is 2.4 micrograms per day. This deficiency is often found in vegetarian people. This is because B12 is found naturally only in animal foods.

Unlike other vitamins, absorption of vitamin B12 depends on a protein produced in your stomach, called intrinsic factor. Stomach proteins bind with vitamin B12 so that it can be absorbed into the blood. So people who do not produce enough protein in their stomach may also be deficient in Vitamin B12. Elderly people may also be deficient, as the ability to absorb vitamin B12 decreases with age.

Vitamin B12 deficiency may also occur in people who have had intestinal surgery, including weight loss surgery. People who have diseases that affect the intestines, such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease, are also at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency.

Read more - (Vitamin B12 Deficiency symptoms, causes, treatment)

 

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency or pernicious anemia are as follows-

  • difficulty thinking and remembering
  • Tiredness

  • heart palpitation

  • pale skin

  • weight loss

  • infertility

  • Numbness and tingling in hands and feet

The following risk factors can increase the chances of developing vitamin B12 deficiency such as –

  • excessive alcohol consumption
  • older age

  • blood deficiency

  • Atrophic gastritis, inflammation of the stomach

  • Helicobacter pylori infection

  • celiac disease

  • Crohn's disease

  • History of gastrointestinal surgery

  • Vegetarian

  • aids

  • Some hereditary conditions that affect vitamin B12 absorption

Read more - (Why Are Vitamins Important For The Body For Vital Nutrients)

 

It is thought that vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to neurological problems or pernicious anemia, and this occurs when the body does not have enough B12 to produce the amount of red blood cells it needs. Vitamin B12 injections are usually the most common way to prevent or treat a deficiency. Injections are prescribed by a doctor and given intramuscularly or into the muscle.

Injections are usually given as hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin and are very effective in increasing blood B12 levels and preventing deficiency. So vitamin B12 injections are very effective.

 

Given the important role of vitamin B12 in the body, its deficiency can have serious health consequences. Low levels of the vitamin in the blood are linked to many health problems.

  • Brain function

Low levels of Vitamin B12 can lead to a decline in brain function. A 2020 study found that people with vitamin B12 deficiency may have cognitive disorders. According to another study, taking vitamins over a long period of time may help prevent recurrence of depression.

  • Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease in which low bone mass causes bones to become weak and the risk of bone fractures increases. Low blood levels of vitamin B12 have been linked with decreased bone mass.

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  • Age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is a condition that causes your central vision to gradually be lost, usually in both eyes. In people aged 50 and older, adequate intake of vitamin B12 is considered important for maintaining good vision and avoiding macular degeneration.

Some other proponents claim that regular injections of vitamin B12 can increase energy levels and help with weight loss and mood improvement.

Read more - (Which vitamin deficiency causes anemia?)

 

Vitamin B12 injections are generally considered very safe. They do not have any major side effects. In very rare cases, some people may experience allergic reactions. Talk to your doctor if you experience any side effects.

 

Vitamin B12 is found in animal foods, and B12 is also added to some fortified foods. Some particularly good sources of vitamin B12 include:

  • Liver
  • beef kidney

  • trout

  • canned salmon fish

  • Ground beef

  • eggs

  • Milk

  • Chicken

It may be difficult for some people to meet vitamin B12 requirements, especially vegetarians. Only in such situations, it is advisable to take injections of Vitamin B12.

Read more - (Vitamin B: Benefits, Foods, Sources, Dosage)

 

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that the body needs for various functions. While many people get adequate amounts only through diet, some may need to supplement vitamin B12 levels with injections. The injections, while relatively safe, can cause some side effects if the person taking them does not tolerate them well.

Typically, a person with a severe deficiency needs to get B12 shots every other day for two weeks. These can be installed at home or by visiting a doctor. Use this only after consulting your doctor. If you eat a balanced diet that includes foods rich in vitamin B12, you will rarely need to take additional B12. People who are at risk for deficiency will probably need to take supplements. In these cases, oral supplements may be as effective as injections for many people. Some experts suggest that regular injections should only be used as a last resort if supplements do not work or if deficiency symptoms are severe.

 
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