Benifits of the B12 Shot

Nearly everyone understands the importance of receiving an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals. Vitamins play a vital role in the overall health of the body and are found in foods that we eat. Each individual vitamin plays a specific role for a healthy body. Vitamin D helps keep our bones strong, and vitamin A helps to optimize our sight. However, the B vitamins are one of the most important nutrients to help keep our body energized. In particular, the B12 vitamin plays a substantial role in the body's health and if not received in the food we eat, can be supplemented with a B12 shot.

One of the main functions of the B12 vitamin is to promote healthy nerve cells, and it also helps produce genetic material in the body such as RNA and DNA. Vitamin B12 also works with other B vitamins to help the body utilize iron, help immune function, mood, and to control homocysteine levels. One of B12's most vital functions is to help promote healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. B12 vitamins are found in foods that come from animals. This would include dairy, fish, meat, eggs, and poultry.

There are a number of situations in which a B12 deficiency can occur. The most common occurrences are in the elderly and vegetarians. Vegetarians and vegans are obviously prone to deficiencies since B12 is found in foods that come from animals. Vegetarians often utilize vitamin B12 injections to obtain their required amounts.

There are also a number of conditions and diseases that could result in a vitamin B12 deficiency and require an injection. Stress, infections, alcoholism, anemia, and even ongoing fevers can result in low levels of B12. Also, diseases of the kidneys, liver, pancreas, and thyroid can also cause deficiencies. In addition, there are genetic disorders that may also cause the body not to absorb B12 such as homocystinuria and methylmalonic aciduria. Finally, since B12 is a water soluble vitamin that must be absorbed through the digestive tract, diseases of the intestines and stomach can result in the need for B12 shots.

Similar to all vitamins, the correct dosage of vitamin B12 varies by age and condition. The dosage for B12 is measured in micrograms. Infants to children age 3 should receive between .3 and .7 mcgs. Dosages for children ages 4 to 6 are 1 mcg and they are increased to 1.4 mcg for children ages 7 to 10. Most adolescents and adults are then prescribed 2 mcgs for healthy B12 levels. The level of a B12 injection is increased for pregnant and breast-feeding women. Pregnant women are encouraged to receive 2.2 mcgs, and the amount is increased to 2.6 mcgs for women that are currently breast-feeding.

Side effects of vitamin B12 injections are exceedingly rare. Even in extremely large doses B12 shots rarely produce harm to the body. Since the vitamins are water soluble anything the body cannot absorb and store will be flushed out of the system through the body’s urine. With that said, there are those occasions when the injections will result in increased anxiety, mild diarrhea, and even heart palpitations. In addition, there have been reports of people suffering from chest pains, insomnia, and more commonly skin rashes.

There has been much controversy surrounding the claims by the B12 shots can help with weight loss. As usual, many individuals will skip the tried and true route of limiting calories and good old-fashioned exercise in an attempt to find that magic pill, or in this case injection. Similarly, as with the controversy surrounding Hcg injections, there is no scientific proof that injections of B12 will increase weight loss. Weight loss correlation with B12 may simply be the fact that people who maintain healthy levels of vitamins are more fit overall.

One of the biggest reasons that people will seek out a B12 shot is to increase energy. This is also in conjunction with the theory behind losing weight with B12 injections. The reasoning is the B12 gives the recipient increased energy to accomplish more.

Many physicians and others in the medical industry contend that the injection of B12 merely acts as a placebo. On the other hand, many recipients of these injections will absolutely swear to their increased energy levels and health. Even if the shot is only acting as a placebo, the effects it has on the recipient may still be well worth the money spent.

For many years the popular choice to receive the vitamin B12 shot was at the doctor's office. Once a month they would make the journey to the local clinic to receive the shop from their physician. They would have to wait in the seating area and become exposed to illnesses carried by other patrons of the clinic. That has all changed these days. If you so choose, you can readily find many companies that sell vials of B12 on the internet. However, in the US you will still be required to have a prescription from your physician to buy B12 shots online. These vials are intended for self-injection. If you are not comfortable with injecting yourself you may be able to find someone in the medical field, such as a friend or neighbor, who could help with the injections.

The price of B12 shots can be quite high if received from a physician. The shots can average about $45-$55 per visit at a clinic. The average consumer can realize great savings when purchasing their B12 online. A 1000mcg/ml 10ml vial will cost about $17 from an online pharmacy.

As you can see, there are a number of important functions delivered by B12. Whether it is by itself or in conjunction with other B vitamins, B12 is a vital nutrient in the body’s complex network. Remember, if you happen to be one of those people who suffer from a deficiency because of disease or a medical condition, this is easily solved with a B12 shot. Also, if you want to take a chance on increased energy and weight loss, then perhaps the injection may also work for you.