What are the Benefits of B12 Injections?
Vitamin B12 is part of a larger vitamin B complex, but it is regularly singled out as an essential vitamin that is necessary for good health. For this reason, more and more people are choosing to supplement their diet with vitamin B12 shots. You may be wondering what do B12 shots do, so read on to discover more about this vitamin and the benefits of B12 injections.
Vitamin B12: The Basics
First of all, it is important to understand exactly what vitamin B12 does and why it is important. B12 is a naturally occurring vitamin found in animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy.
It is important for the proper functioning of the circulatory and nervous systems. Vitamin B12 plays a critical role in red blood cell production and provides energy for the brain to function smoothly.
Most people get enough B12 from diet alone, especially if their diet includes lots of animal products. However, even a slight deficiency can cause problems that may seem minor at first but can escalate if the deficiency is not addressed.
Common signs of a slight deficiency include fatigue, difficulty in remembering, light-headedness, and constipation or diarrhea. These problems can persist if a deficiency is left untreated.
Vitamin B12 Shots: The Benefits
The reasons for why people start using B12 injections are numerous. So what do B12 shots do? Listed below are some of the more commonly sought benefits of B12 shots:
- Since vitamin B12 is associated with neural and cognitive functioning, some people take B12 to improve mood, energy, and concentration.
- Lipotropic shots contain B12 in addition to several amino acids that help the body metabolize fat, which is a great tool that helps people lose weight. When used in conjunction with diet and exercise, lipotropic shots can do wonders for your waistline.
- Vitamin B12 plays a key role in the circulatory system, and high levels of B12 can reduce homocysteine levels. Homocysteine blocks the arteries and taxes the heart, so by reducing homocysteine levels, vitamin B12 reduces the risk for heart disease and stroke.
- By helping the body regulate your circadian rhythms, vitamin B12 can help you sleep better.
- Vitamin B12 provides a boost to the immune system by making the rest of the body run more smoothly, which can reduce chance of illness.
Who Should Use Vitamin B12 Injections?
There are certain people who should pay particular attention to the benefits of B12 shots, though anyone could reap the benefits of B12 injections. Some people who may want to pay particular attention and know what do B12 shots do include:
- People who do not eat animal products, including vegetarians and vegans. Though a vegetarian or vegan diet can be perfectly healthy, vitamin B12 is naturally found only in animal products. As such, it is important for these people to find a way to supplement their diet to prevent deficiency.
- The elderly. As people age, their bodies tend to become less efficient at processing nutrients. As such, the elderly are more susceptible to nutritional deficiency and conditions such as atrophic gastrisis, which can exacerbate a deficiency.
- People with intestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease. These and similar disorders inhibit the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food, which means that even if these people eat a well-balanced diet, they will not get all of the nutrients that they need. Regular takers of acid-reducing drugs may consider vitamin B12 as it can reduce some of the negative effects associated with taking these drugs.
- People with long-term illnesses such as diabetes, osteoporosis, muscular degeneration, and Lou Gehrig’s disease tend to fare better when they supplement their diet with vitamin B12.
Why Injections are Better
Vitamin B12 is available in several forms such as pills, skin patches, and injections. Of these methods, injections are more highly recommended as only injections provide absolute assurance that the vitamin will be directly absorbed and used by the body.
Thus, the benefits of B12 injections are higher than other supplements because very little of the nutrients are wasted.
Many people dislike needles and feel uncomfortable with injections, but with a little research into B12 injection instructions and the best B12 injection sites, anyone can successfully reap the benefits of B12 shots.
For more info. please feel free to call Cortney Singleton Acupuncture physician at 407.256.8559