Vitamin B12 Injections Can Help Deal With Deficiencies
What’s an essential vitamin that the human body needs but can’t produce? Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, plays many roles in the body. B12 helps the nerve cells function normally and is key to the creation of red blood cells. The typical adult needs 2.4 mcg, but pregnant or breastfeeding women need more of this key vitamin. Since the body doesn’t make vitamin B12, men and women need to get it from animal-based foods and supplements. The body also doesn’t store B12 for a long period of time, so the body must get this vitamin regularly in some form. A lack of vitamin B12 can lead to anemia, meaning the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells to do their normal work, leading the body to feel weak and tired.
Benefits of Vitamin B12
Why is B12 so important? It can boost energy, improve memory, and help in the prevention of heart disease, and so much more. Here are more health benefits of B12.
- Key to the formation of red blood cells and preventing anemia - Low levels of B12 cause an irregular shape in the red blood cell, making it difficult for the cells to move freely into the bloodstream at the normal rate, leading to anemia. When anemic, there’s not enough oxygen getting into the red blood cells, leading to fatigue and weakness.
- Prevention of birth defects - Normal levels of B12 are important to a healthy pregnancy, so low levels of this vitamin can lead to birth defects such as premature birth or miscarriage.
- Bone health and osteoporosis prevention - Healthy levels of vitamin B12 may help support bone health as low levels of this vitamin have been linked with an increased likelihood of osteoporosis, especially in women.
- Improvement in a person's mood - While not completely understood, B12 is involved in the body’s creation and use of serotonin, which is responsible for regulating mood. A vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to a decrease in serotonin production and depression.
Why are B12 Injections Given?
Long-term B12 deficiency can lead to serious neurological problems or anemia. The most common way to prevent this deficiency is through vitamin B12 shots. These injections are prescribed by doctors and given into the muscle. Vitamin B12 injections are very effective at reversing the effects of a B12 deficiency in those individuals who have not had luck with supplements or diets. In particular, vegans and vegetarians have a higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency because of the lack of animal-based foods in their diets. These injections can help with brain function, preventing depressions, osteoporosis, and age-related muscular degeneration since all of these are potential side effects of a vitamin B12 deficiency. These injections are also used for individuals who don’t have a vitamin B12 deficiency. Many people claim that these injections can increase energy levels, help people to lose weight, and improve mood.
How Long Does a Vitamin B12 Shot Last?
Vitamin B12 injections will last a different amount of time per individual if they had a deficiency, and how long they were deficient. Once the normal level of vitamin B12 is in the body, injections are needed every 1 to 3 months to prevent the recurrence of symptoms. Since levels of B12 can be checked in a complete blood count, a doctor can monitor the levels in a patient’s blood to make sure they are receiving injections as needed.
