Monday, March 25, 2024
HomeWeightDo Vitamin B12 Shots Help With Weight Loss

Do Vitamin B12 Shots Help With Weight Loss

This Was Interesting What Are My Next Steps

Vitamin B-12 injections for weight loss: Do they work? FAQs from Slimming Studios

Were happy to discuss our injection services and to answer any additional questions you may have directly. Please contact our team if this is a discussion you want to have! We will gladly help you determine whether you are a good candidate for lipotropic injections, or if another weight loss solution is a better fit for you. With our board-certified staff, custom plans and FDA approved tools, our team can provide the advice and tools you need to achieve your weight loss goals.

Many People Are Deficient

The recommended daily intake of vitamin B12 is 6 micrograms per day.

Deficiency is common, especially in people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.

In fact, its thought that up to 90% of people following these diets have a deficiency .

This is because B12 is only found naturally in animal foods.

However, vegans and vegetarians are not the only ones who are deficient. Even some meat eaters dont absorb it very well .

Unlike other vitamins, the absorption of vitamin B12 depends on a protein produced in your stomach, called intrinsic factor.

Intrinsic factor binds to vitamin B12, so that you can absorb it into the blood. People who dont produce enough intrinsic factor can become deficient.

Deficiency is particularly common in elderly people, because the ability to absorb vitamin B12 can decrease with age .

Other people at risk of deficiency include those who have had intestinal surgery, including weight loss surgery. Those with diseases that affect the gut, such as Crohns disease or celiac disease, are also at risk .

Bottom Line:

Those at greatest risk of vitamin B12 deficiency are vegans and vegetarians, who get little to no B12 from the diet. Deficiency can also be caused by poor absorption.

Symptoms Of B12 Deficiency

Your body requires vitamin B12 for important functions, like metabolism, production of blood cells, and brain health. Deficiencies of the nutrient can cause a range of mild to severe side effects.

Vitamin B12 blood levels of 200 picomoles per liter or below are typically considered low, though diagnosing a true deficiency can be complicated (

In many cases, it can take years for these types of symptoms to appear.

SUMMARY

Vitamin B12 deficiency can take years to develop. Symptoms include irregular heartbeat, psychosis, dementia-like symptoms, irritability, and more.

In severe cases of malabsorption or in people with risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiencies, a liquid supplement could help prevent deficiency and associated symptoms. It may even have a few additional health benefits.

Read Also: What Vitamins Are In Garlic

B12 Amino Acid Injections For Weight Loss

Vitamin B12 is not the only vitamin thats important in metabolism. Other B vitamins, including vitamin B9 and vitamin B3 , are also known to play very important roles in the bodys energy use.

This is why vitamin B12 injections for weight loss often dont contain vitamin B12 alone. Rather, they may contain several other nutrients that are also important in metabolism, including:

  • Other B vitamins , which are involved in energy production throughout the body
  • Methionine, an amino acid that is important in the synthesis of enzymes and other proteins and supports the liver in fat processing
  • Choline, which is important in generating energy within cells and helps in breaking down fat for use as an energy source
  • Inositol, a naturally occurring sugar that plays a role in metabolism, energy storage, and energy consumption, and which has been shown to accelerate weight loss while helping to preserve muscle mass
  • L-carnitine, which is derived from two different amino acids, and is important in the process of generating energy from fatty acids within a cell

Collectively, these are known as lipotropic nutrients. They work together to support a healthy metabolism and fat processing within the body. Lipotropic injections containing these nutrients are commonly given twice a week to help with weight loss. However, the frequency can vary depending on an individuals specific needs and what is prescribed.

Why Do People Take Vitamin B

Best Does Vitamin B12 Shots Help You Lose Weight

Vitamin B-12 has been looked at as a treatment for many diseases and conditions. These include fatigue, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, breast cancer, high cholesterol, and sickle cell disease. However, the results have been inconclusive. Studies suggest that vitamin B-12 does not help with stroke risk or lung cancer.

Vitamin B-12 supplements do help people who have a deficiency. Low levels of vitamin B-12 are more likely in people over age 50. Vitamin B-12 is also more common in those with certain conditions, like digestive problems and some types of anemia. Low vitamin B-12 can cause fatigue, weakness, memory loss, and other problems with the nervous system.

A recent study showed that vitamin B-12, used with folic acid and vitamin B6, reduces the risk for age-related macular degeneration in women with heart disease or multiple risk factors for heart disease.

Recommended Reading: What Is Vitamin D3 Is Good For

Vitamin B12 For Weight Loss

Vitamin B12 is one of the essential B vitamins that help support a healthy nervous system. B12 works by converting the food we eat into sugar and other types of fuel that keep the body running smoothly.

B12 is often associated with weight loss because of its ability to boost metabolism and provide lasting energy. The vitamin doesnt work this way with everyone, though. And to feel the full effect, your body must first have a B12 deficiency.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, B12, or cobalamin, is an especially important vitamin for maintaining healthy nerve cells, and it helps in the production of DNA and RNA, the bodys genetic material.

B12 works with other B vitamins to produce red blood cells and help iron work its way through the body.

A B12 deficiency can be counteracted with a dose of the vitamin, causing energy levels to regulate and the metabolism to work harder to burn up fuel. The result is weight loss when the deficiency is mitigated, but adding B12 to a body with sufficient levels doesnt really increase natural effects.

What Foods Have Vitamin B12

Animal organ meats such as liver and kidneys contain high amounts of vitamin B12 especially those from lamb. Seafoods including clams, sardines, tuna, trout, and salmon are also all high in B12. Beef is an optimal source of B12 and provides the highest amount of this vitamin when grilled or roasted, since frying beef is shown to deplete some of its nutritional value.

Cereals, non-dairy milk, and nutritional yeast may be fortified with vitamin B12, but make sure you fully read the nutrition labels before relying on these sources for B12. Eggs are also high in vitamin B12, but yolks have higher amounts of B12 than egg whites, with the B12 in yolks being more easily absorbed by the body. Eat whole eggs instead of just the whites if your goal is to boost B12 intake through food.

Don’t Miss: How Much Is Vitamin C Iv Therapy

Why Injections Are Effective

Injections are far more effective than other sorts of treatments because they deliver nutrients and vitamins right into your bloodstream. When you take pills or oral medicines, it takes time for them to work through your system and into your blood. Some of the benefits are also lost along the way. Injections bypass the majority of this process and get right into your bloodstream, starting to work immediately.

You can also pair ingredients into highly effective injections, which is what weve done with our B12, lipoplex, and lipotropic shots. Its an efficient and instant way to infuse your body with everything it needs to functions at its optimal level.

Vitamin B12 Shots Are Very Effective

DO B12 INJECTIONS HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS? | FIRST B12 SHOT EXPERIENCE | B12 BENEFITS | THE YUSUFS

An untreated vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to neurological problems or pernicious anemia, which occurs when your body doesnt have enough B12 to produce the amount of red blood cells it needs .

Vitamin B12 shots are the most common way to prevent or treat a deficiency. The injections are prescribed by a doctor and given intramuscularly, or into muscle.

Injections are usually given as hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin. These are very effective at raising blood levels of B12 and preventing/reversing a deficiency.

Bottom Line:

If you are deficient in vitamin B12, then the injections are very effective at raising your blood levels.

Recommended Reading: What Vitamins Are Important During Pregnancy

Risks And Side Effects

People who want to use lipotropic injections should choose a clinic with a registered physician. Some clinics may not have doctors on staff, whereas others may have weight loss specialists who are also medical doctors.

Some lipotropic injections may not be appropriate for everyone. Before receiving their first injection, a person should check if any of the ingredients can be harmful in combination with their medications or a medical condition they have.

Apart from pain at the injection site, one of the risks of using lipotropic injections is that they may not work. People cannot rely on these injections to promote fat loss, so they should also try to adopt more healthful habits, such as exercising regularly.

Researchers have not studied the side effects of lipotropic injections. Information on side effects comes from anecdotal evidence from people who have used the injections for weight loss. Side effects may also vary from person to person.

Who Should Try It

Those with a vitamin B12 deficiency will see the most significant benefits of getting a shot, so look out for common symptoms like fatigue, regular headaches, and feelings of faintness.

“Many people are deficient in B12, especially those who eat very little meat or dairy,” says Arielle Levitan, MD. “B12 shots are a good way to deliver B12 to those who are B12 deficient but who can not absorb B12 through the oral route.”

Meet the Expert

  • Arielle Levitan, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine physician who practices in Chicago. She has a special interest in womens health and preventive medicine and is the founder of Vous Vitamin.
  • Nicole Avena, PhD, is a nutrition and health expert and the Assistant Professor at Mount Sinai Medical School. She is also the visiting professor of Health Psychology at Princeton University.

As Levitan indicated, vegans and vegetarians may discover they are deficient as B12 is found in meat. Those who smoke, take certain prescription medicine, or have a gastrointestinal disorder are also at great risk of lacking in this vitamin. If youre dealing with the latter, injections are usually recommended over oral supplements, as they bypass the stomach and are directly absorbed into the bloodstream.

Also Check: What Is Vitamin B1 Used For

Should You Get B12 Vitamin Injections

According to a recent study 1 in 12 women in the UK aged between 19 and 39 were B12 deficient, despite consuming at least the recommended minimum intake.

Many people in the UK are B12 deficient without even knowing it.

When was the last time you had your B12 levels tested?

If youve been feeling sluggish or lethargic, its worth visiting our IV therapy clinic to run some tests.

Based on our experience in treating thousands of patients, B12 vitamin shots help around 70% of our patients with improved sleep, increased energy and better weight management.

Getting the right type of B12 with high quality, pharmaceutical ingredients can make the difference between experiencing the benefits and feeling no difference at all, so choose your clinic wisely.

To learn more about the benefits of IV Nutrient Therapy, call today on

Does B12 Make You Sleepy

Are B12 Lipotropic Injections Effective for Weight Loss?

So Tired Every Day Constant fatigue is one of the main symptoms of a B12 deficiency, because when this vitamin is low, the body has fewer red blood cells. The primary job of those red blood cells is to transport oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body. A lack of red blood cells translates to fatigue.

Don’t Miss: Can Prenatal Vitamins Help You Conceive

How Vitamin B12 Injections Can Increase Your Energy And Metabolism And Jump

Wonder how your favorite celebrities seem to have endless energy, ageless looks, and effortlessly trim bodies? Whats their secret?

While they likely have many types of anti-aging and performance-enhancing therapies available to them, some health-conscious celebrities choose B12 when they want to optimize their metabolism to stay thin, trim, and vibrant.

The good news is that you dont have to be a celebrity to take advantage of the benefits of B12 therapy. Our medical team at NuvidaRx Weight Loss in Tallahassee, Florida, has helped many patients use B12 injections to resolve feelings of fatigue or improve their weight-loss efforts.

Whether youre looking for ways to jump-start weight loss or complement your wellness regimen, our B12 injection specialists develop an individualized schedule of injections to help you achieve the results you desire. Here are some of the benefits of these types of shots.

Better Absorbency More Potency

B12 injections are more readily accessible and more potent than orally administered vitamin B12. That’s because the vitamin isn’t degraded by going through your digestive tract and coming into contact with digestive fluids like saliva, bile, stomach acid and other enzymes. Instead, the vitamin B12 enters your blood stream rapidly at full potency and is immediately available to your body.

Read Also: Is Vitamin C Necessary For Skin

Vitamin B12 Shots And Injections Over Oral Forms

Why is it that I specifically recommend B12 shots over other forms of B12, specifically oral forms like tablets/liquid and sublingual forms?

The answer has to do with absorption and dosage.

As I’ve mentioned several times above simply taking vitamin B12 by mouth isn’t enough to get it into your body or into your cells.

In order for B12 to be properly absorbed you need all of the following to be working perfectly:

1. Adequate amounts of stomach acid and hydrochloric acid

2. Adequate amounts of intrinsic factor

3. Functioning pancreas with adequate amounts of proteases and enzymes

4. Functioning small intestines and villi

5. Proper metabolism of B12 in the body and cells

You can see that the first 4 steps all require proper function in the GI tract.

But the problem with that is how many of you suffer from SOME kind of gastrointestinal disorder?

I’m talking about any of the following:

  • Chronic constipation
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • History of using acid blockers like proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers

Just one of these conditions is enough to interfere with the absorption and the first three steps of vitamin B12 absorption .

With as many as 20% of the population with IBS alone , it’s not hard to see how so many patients may be taking oral forms of vitamin B12 without any benefit.

That may explain oral and liquid forms of B12, but what about sublingual forms of B12?

In my experience I can say that sublingual forms are not always rapidly absorbed and utilized by the body.

Is It Safe To Inject Vitamin B12 At Home

Does Vitamin B12 Promote Weight Loss?

Its important to choose a reputable provider if you choose to administer B12 shots at home. Never buy B12 online without a prescription, especially if its shipped from outside of the country. You dont know exactly whats in the vial or whether its safe to use. You also may receive expired B12 and be none the wiser.

As long as you thoroughly check the credentials of your provider, receive an actual medical consultation from a real doctor, and diligently follow the instructions youve received, its generally very safe and common to inject vitamin B12 at home.

Choose a care provider that makes themselves or even supportive staff available for questions and check-ins as often as you need them. If youre ever unsure about what youre doing and you want to speak to your care provider about your progress, its important to have access to the answers you need in a timely manner.

You May Like: When To Stop Prenatal Vitamins

Vitamin B12 And Thyroid Function

It’s worth spending some time to talk about Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s and how they relate to B12 deficiency.

As you may know, low thyroid can directly lead to a number of nutrient deficiencies and in order to fix the thyroid they really have to be addressed.

And Vitamin B12 is no exception.

As many as 50% of thyroid patients are B12 deficient and that creates a very special circumstance.

The symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency and hypothyroidism closely overlap:

Chronic fatigue, hair loss, brain fog, decreased concentration, etc.

It’s easy to see how you can confuse the symptoms of hypothyroidism for the symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency.

And this happens quite often.

Many patients wrongly assume that ALL of their symptoms are due to thyroid hormone so they continually seek out higher and higher doses of thyroid hormone.

The problem is that low thyroid hormone causes low stomach acid which decreases the absorption of vitamin B12.

In addition to this problem many hypothyroid patients also have GI issues like SIBO/SIFO.

And any intestinal issue further worsens vitamin B12 absorption making the whole situation worse.

The kicker is that simply replacing thyroid hormone is NOT enough to replace vitamin B12 levels.

Hypothyroid patients are special in that they often need both Thyroid hormone which accompanying Vitamin B12 AND Iron .

Only then do thyroid patients actually start to feel better.

How Does Exercise Help You Lose Weight

Losing weight naturally involves burning more calories than you take in. This results in what is known as a caloric deficit and, in theory, this will help you lose weight as your body is forced to turn fat into energy to make up for it. This is where vitamin B12 comes into play.

The faster your metabolism is, the more fat your body will be able to turn into energy. It can be extremely difficult to seriously limit your caloric intake in an effort to create a larger caloric deficit necessary for weight loss. Instead, receiving vitamin B12 can ensure your metabolism is capable of burning as much fat as possible while maintaining a diet that meets your bodys needs to maintain proper functioning.

Recommended Reading: What Vitamins Are Best For Boosting Immune System

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular