Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that is often overlooked. We all know the importance of calcium in preventing osteoporosis and that fiber keeps us regular. But who worries about their daily intake of lil ol’ vitamin B12?
The fact of the matter is that vitamin B12 plays a very important role in our health. Not only does it work together with the other components of the B vitamin complex to convert food into energy, it also has some other duties. Vitamin B12 is responsible for maintaining healthy brain, nervous system, red blood cell and circulatory health. Those are some pretty important responsibilities!
Everyone should consume adequate amounts of vitamin B12 on a daily basis. However, sometimes people need a little something extra.
The Most Common Uses for Vitamin B12 Supplements
Those who are familiar with the nutrient often think of using supplementation for one of three reasons:[arrowlist]
- Vitamin B12 injections are used to treat a deficiency. Even if you are consuming enough vitamin B12, there is a possibility your body still isn’t getting enough. Some people have problems absorbing the nutrient. When this happens, a vitamin B12 deficiency can occur. Because the body can’t absorb the B12, it must be administered in another way. To get the adequate dose, most people need a vitamin B12 injection.
- Vitamin B12 is the only known treatment for pernicious anemia.
- Most vegetarians and vegans need a vitamin B12 supplement. Vitamin B12 is only found in animal products (meat, chicken, fish, eggs, etc.). People who do not eat these types of food will need to obtain their daily dietary recommendation some other way.
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Other Significant Benefits of Vitamin B12
While using vitamin B12 injections to counteract the effects of a vitamin deficiency, pernicious anemia and vegetarian lifestyle are important, there are other ways the nutrient can improve health. You don’t need to suffer from one of the above mentioned conditions in order to use vitamin B12 injections.
People who are deemed otherwise healthy should consider vitamin B12 supplements too. Let’s take a look at how vitamin B12 injections can help just about everyone.
Vitamin B12 helps with digestive issues.
A condition called atrophic gastritis (or thinning of the stomach lining) affects more than 30% of individuals over the age of 50. Vitamin B12 supplements can help restore a healthy digestive tract for these patients.
Patients who have had part of their stomach or small intestines removed will need the help of vitamin B12 supplements. Likewise, patients who suffer from celiac disease can benefit from regular vitamin B12 injections.
Using acid-reducing drugs for an extended period of time can have a negative effect on your stomach. Vitamin B12 can help reduce the unpleasant side effects and help restore a healthy digestive system.
Alcohol interferes with the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12 from the foods we eat. For people who consume a fair amount of alcohol, extra doses of vitamin B12 are essential.
Vitamin B12 helps ease respiratory distress.
Patients who suffer from allergies and/or asthma have found relief with vitamin B12 supplements.
The side effects of chronic illness can be lessened with vitamin B12.
The jury is still out on how exactly vitamin B12 helps, but patients are adamant that the nutrient does ease unpleasant side effects of various chronic illnesses. Patients who suffer from osteoporosis, diabetes, macular degeneration, and ALS claim vitamin B12 injections were responsible for their improved health.
The vitamin helps decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Studies show that lower levels of homocysteine are in direct correlation with higher levels of vitamin B12. Low levels of the amino acid are ideal since it can destroy the main structural components of the arteries and inhibit the formation of new ones.
Vitamin B12 can greatly enhance mental health.
Studies have recently found that a nutrient cocktail consisting of vitamin B12, B6 and folic acid can help reduce the risk of brain shrinkage that leads to Alzheimer’s disease, other types of dementia and schizophrenia.
Additionally, vitamin B12 helps boost memory and concentration while fighting against panic attacks, depression and anxiety.
Vitamin B12 injections can help your weight loss efforts.
Among other things, vitamin B12 is responsible for maintaining a healthy metabolism. When your metabolism is operating at an optimum level, you can burn the maximum amount of calories.
Additionally, the vitamin helps establish healthy sleeping patterns. A restful night of sleep is essential when faced with an early morning workout!
Lastly, vitamin B12 gives the body a much needed boost of energy. Those who are looking to lose weight, exercise regularly, and fight the temptation of unhealthy foods need all the energy they can get!
While something is definitely better than nothing, vitamin B12 injections are the preferred method of supplementation. Other methods – like pills, sprays, skin patches or drops – aren’t as effective as injections. Injections are the only form of supplementation that guarantees 100% absorption.
If you think vitamin B12 injections could help you live a healthier, happier, more productive life, talk to your doctor. A simple vitamin supplement can bring about big changes in your overall health. Give it a try!
[box_light]Wilma Adams is a health and fitness writer who feels passionately about helping others live a healthier lifestyle. She regularly shares her thoughts about B12 injections on this site. In addition to writing about B12 shots and other vitamin supplements, Wilma also pens advice for weight loss and exercise techniques. [/box_light]
Related articles
- Ways to Avoid Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Vegetarians (medindia.net)
- B12 Patches Are an Easier Way to Refill Your Vitamin Levels (b12patches.wordpress.com)
- Vitamin B12 and What it Does for You (healthysummer.wordpress.com)
- Vitamin B12 supplements – a pleasant alternative to chopped liver? (purevitamins.com.au)
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