Chances are, over the course of your life you’ve heard a lot about how important it is to get your body the vitamins it needs to stay healthy. However, you might not know as much about specific vitamins, like vitamin B12. Because vitamin B12 injections are becoming more and more popular every day, we wanted to take a minute to answer some popular questions about this important vitamin.
What Exactly is B12?
B12 is a vitamin that helps with important functions(opens in a new tab) within the body, like:
- Forming red blood cells: When the body isn’t getting enough B12, red blood cells develop an irregular shape. Healthy blood cells are small and round, but when there isn’t enough B12, they can become larger and oblong, preventing them from moving from bone marrow to bloodstream as efficiently, causing a form of anemia called megaloblastic anemia.
- Supporting bone health: Research has shown that adults with a vitamin B12 deficiency have lower bone density than those getting enough B12, which can cause issues with bone health, including an increased risk of developing osteoporosis.
- Reducing symptoms of depression: The effect of B12 on mood isn’t fully understood yet, but we do know that B12 helps with creating and metabolizing serotonin in the body. Serotonin is a hormone that regulates mood, and those with a B12 deficiency may also have decreased production of serotonin, which can lead to depression. In fact, research shows that people with vitamin B12 deficiency are at double the risk(opens in a new tab) of developing severe depression.
Moreover, B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning that it doesn’t stay in the body for very long and can’t be stored for later use. This can be a problem since it’s an important vitamin that our bodies don’t produce naturally. Instead, we have to get regular amounts of it from animal-based foods, supplements, or injections to avoid deficiency.
Can B12 Shots Be Used for Weight Loss?
On top of helping your body maintain bone density, produce healthy red blood cells, and metabolize serotonin, B12 can help you lose weight. When low B12 levels are increased within the body, energy levels are boosted, improving overall mood and liveliness, which can help you stay active and burn more calories. Improved levels of B12 can also boost metabolism, allowing your body to more easily break down fat.
Are B12 Shots Safe?
Yes! Not only are side effects rare, but no upper limit has been established with regards to vitamin B12; in other words, it’s not harmful even in large doses. This is in part because our bodies only absorb what they need, with the rest harmlessly passing through, meaning that there is no way to take a dangerous amount. This function is also why B12 shots are so efficient; because injections deliver the vitamin directly into the bloodstream, 100% absorption is ensured, unlike with slower-acting supplements. With B12 shots, your body gets exactly as much B12 as it needs to keep you healthy.
If you’re interested in B12 injections for weight loss or our other weight loss programs, give Right Weight Center a call at 301-345-7885. Our team proudly offers free consultations to first-time patients! With our wide variety of customizable weight loss plans and supplemental fat-burning boosters, we’ll offer the support you need to improve your quality of life.
