How Does Metabolism Work
Metabolism is instrumental in helping you maintain a healthy weight. If your metabolism is too slow, your body will store extra fat, and you will have a lot more problems shedding those unwanted pounds. There are several ways that you can increase your metabolism naturally, like eating well and exercising regularly, but occasionally your metabolism will dip due to factors outside of your control.
B12 can help reset your metabolism and keep you at an ongoing healthy weight and with the energy to get out and enjoy life to the fullest. Many patients report that they feel upticks in their energy levels and are more active after starting their B12 regimen.
In addition to your B12 regimen, make sure that you each a healthy diet with plenty of complex carbohydrates and leafy green vegetables and get in at least a few gym sessions every week. These simple steps will keep your metabolism running smoothly and help you lose weight in between treatments.
B12 Deficiency Can Put You In Jeopardy
A B12 deficiency can cause a specific form of anemia called pernicious anemia. Pernicious means dangerous this anemia can be life-threatening. Pernicious anemia is a red blood cell anemia that originates in the stomach. Pernicious anemia is caused when someone doesnt make enough of the protein intrinsic factor, which helps the intestines absorb B12.
Depleting your B12 can lead to nerve damage, which is why one symptom of a deficiency is numbness or tingling. A long-term deficiency can cause permanent damage to your body, including insomnia, neurologic damage, erectile dysfunction, and difficulty with bowel and bladder control. A B12 deficiency can also leave you at a higher risk of infections.
Do You Need A Vitamin B12 Injection
Pregnant and breastfeeding women require vitamin B12 for their infants neurological development, red blood cell production, and immune system vitality. Getting adequate vitamin B12, in the form of a high-quality prenatal, supplement, or injection is key. In addition, many older adultsor those who have undergone digestion-related surgerydont have enough hydrochloric acid in their stomach to absorb vitamin B12 in food. Therefore, they also benefit from an injection or supplementing.
People with autoimmune conditions or diseases like celiac or Crohns might benefit from a vitamin B12 shotin essence, those with gut issues. Last but not least, vegetarians, vegans, or predominantly plant-based eaters are likely low in vitamin B12. Even when eating a varied diet, they arent getting enough vitamin B12 from their food. Therefore, routine supplementation or injections are key.
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Vitamin B12 Injections And Weight Loss
While low B12 levels can lead to unhealthy weight loss, other prominent symptoms, such as fatigue and low energy, can make it difficult to exercise or build lean muscle mass. These factors can interfere with weight loss efforts and make you feel less emotionally content in the process. When your vitamin B12 levels improve thanks to injections, you can expect greater energy and motivation to stay on track with your weight control plan. And because the body excretes any vitamin B12 it doesnt need, you can safely surpass your daily requirement.
Vitamin B12 shots work faster than oral supplements, which your body has to process more gradually, and each treatment takes only minutes. To learn more or schedule an appointment, Delta Medical Weight Management Center or email us through our website.
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What Makes B12 Shots Effective For Cfs
So what is it that makes Vitamin B12 shots potentially effective for chronic fatigue syndrome? Recently, a group of researchers affiliated with the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at Swedens Gothenburg University published their results from a study attempting to answer to this question. The researchers drew from their 15 years of experience studying CFS patients and treating them with vitamin B12. During this time, they had already determined that CFS patients respond best to the injective form of B12 therapy.
For this study, they examined clinical data from 38 female patients with CFS who had been on B12 injections at least once a week for six months and up to several years, all of whom expressed favorable response, from mild to dramatic. Heres what they found:
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Ask The Doctor: B12 Shots Vs Pills
Q.I am 72 years old and was recently diagnosed with B12 deficiency. Which is betterthe B12 pill or the shot?
A. Low B12 can cause anemia and fatigue. For many people with low B12 levels, a daily supplement in the form of a pill is as effective as taking a monthly muscle injection. The choice of shot or pill depends on the reason for the deficiency.
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Who Is At Risk For A B12 Deficiency
People with digestive issues or celiac disease may not be able to process and absorb B12. Vegetarians or vegans will not be getting sufficient B12 in their diets. As you age, you produce less stomach acid, which is critical for the absorption of B12. Adults over 50 are at a higher risk for a B12 deficiency.
Oral contraceptives that are high in estrogen put women at risk of a B12 deficiency. B12 is stored in the liver. People who drink regularly may be depleting their B12 stores. Various medications can put you at risk for a B12 deficiency. People with gastrointestinal diseases may have trouble absorbing B12.
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Helps With Weight Loss
B12 shots dont directly result in weight loss but they do in an indirect way. Let me explain:
Some of the benefits of B12 shots include:
- Better sleep
- More energy
- Increased mood
Whats interesting is that all of these lifestyle factors influence how and if your body will lose weight and burn fat mass. For instance:
Lack of sleep has been shown to increase your risk of developing obesity by increasing your blood sugar. Likewise, a slow metabolism can help predict weight gain long term . Low energy levels make exercise difficult and it has been shown to increase your risk of weight gain . Low B12 is also associated with depression which is directly associated with weight gain and obesity.
All of these are intuitive and shouldnt come as a shock to you, so it also shouldnt come as a surprise to know that if you can improve these factors then you can help your body with weight loss.
Make sense?
Vitamin B12 shots can help improve your sleep, increase your energy, normalize your metabolism and improve your mood. ALL of these factors may indirectly influence your ability to lose weight and may explain why patients who use vitamin B12 shots usually report some degree of weight loss.
Vitamin B12 shots can also be combined with lipotropic supplements to further help boost weight loss. Lipotropic vitamins and nutrients directly help your body burn fat and break down adipose tissue which results in fat loss.
What Happens When We Dont Get Enough B12
When people don’t get enough B12 through diet alone, they are likely to suffer from ailments such as megaloblastic anemia. Megaloblastic anemia is marked specifically by an insufficient amount of red blood cells – a health issue which is known for making patients feel tired and weak.
Over time, low levels of the vitamin may also raise your risk of experiencing mental health problems such as depression. In the worst long-term cases of B12 deficiency, people also experience neurological problems.
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What Is Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is a condition in which your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells, due to a lack of vitamin B12. This vitamin is needed to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of your body. Without enough red blood cells, your tissues and organs dont get enough oxygen. Without enough oxygen, your body cant work as well.
Folic acid, also called folate, is another B vitamin. Anemias caused by a lack of vitamin B12 or a lack of folate are 2 types of megaloblastic anemia. With these types of anemia, the red blood cells dont develop normally. They are very large. And they are shaped like an oval, not round like healthy red blood cells. This causes the bone marrow to make fewer red blood cells. In some cases the red blood cells die sooner than normal.
Vitamin B12 Injections: Do They Work
Confused by whats going on in this picture? Dont be. Its just Rita Ora and her friend, Emily Rose, getting shots of B12 in their backsides. As you do.
Rose tweeted the picture of herself and Ora being injected by their hairstylist.
Madonna has long been extolling the virtues of B12 injections, as have Justin Timberlake, Lindsay Lohan and Katy Perry. Victoria Beckham swore by B12 for keeping her in top shape during her pregnancy, while Chelsea Handler has made claims for the vitamins aphrodisiac qualities, tweeting: Guess whos getting a b12 shot for horniness?
What does vitamin B12 do?
Vitamin B12 is vital for healthy functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood. Your body uses B12 for metabolism, fatty acid synthesis and energy production.
B12 deficiency is a cause of anaemia. Typical symptoms include fatigue, lethargy, faintness, breathlessness, headache, tinnitus, a yellow tinge to the skin, mouth ulcers, visual disturbance, and mood changes.
Pernicious anaemia is a condition where vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed into your body.
If you have a B12 deficiency
A serious B12 deficiency can be corrected with B12 injections or daily high dose B12 pills. In many people, a vitamin B12 deficiency can be prevented by eating the right diet and possibly taking nutritional supplements.
Good food sources of B12 include meat, salmon, cod, milk, cheese, eggs and some fortified breakfast cereals.
If you dont have a B12 deficiency
The bottom line:
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Frequently Asked Questions About Vitamin B12 Shots
After reading this you may have more questions about using vitamin B12 shots and injections.
I’ve provided this frequently asked questions sections to answer those questions.
This information is based on my experience in treating hundreds of patients with high quality, pharmaceutical grade B12 and my results.
If you are looking for a safe and reliable place to buy B12 shots you can use the link below to get 10 vitamin B12 injections including small insulin needles + syringes which are prepackaged and ready to be used.
Where can I get the right form of B12 shots?
Finding high-quality methylcobalamin B12 shots can be difficult unless you are looking in the right place.
You can usually find them locally if you look for an integrative physicians office but make sure they are the following:
- Methylcobalamin 5,000mcg dosage
Frequently offices may try to give out 1,000mcg dosages of cyanocobalamin because it’s cheaper – you will want to avoid this type of dosage and form of B12.
They also need to be shipped on ice and should preferably include needles + syringes.
Remember not all forms of B12 are created equal.
Will B12 shots work for me?
It’s hard to say for sure.
In my experience about 60-70% of patients benefit from taking B12 shots in some way.
The most common benefit is more sustained energy levels without crashes throughout the day.
At the end of the day remember this:
Where do I inject the B12 shots?
Does it matter if the shots are subcutaneous or intramuscular?
Bottom line:
What Are B12 Shots
First let’s cover the basics. Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin also known as cobalamin. The cobalmin molecule can be combine with a cyanide molecule as in cynaocobalmin, a hydroxyl molecule as in hydroxycobalmin, methyl group as in methylcobalmin, or an adenosine molecule as in adenosylcobalmin. All of these are considered b12 and all of these have specific affinities and activities in the body, except for cyanocobalmin. All are available in oral form and sublingual form but not all forms are available as a b12 shot.
As a whole b12 serves as co-factor for many reactions in the body including proper functioning of the nervous system, metabolism, neurotransmitter production, DNA repair, cell membrane production, and more. For instance, because of its role in DNA repair, it is essential for cell division and plays a significant role in the formation and repair of all cells. Because of its connection to so many aspects of normal human health, b12 deficiency can manifest itself with many symptoms. These include:
- Numbness, tingling, neuropathy, or buzzing sensation anywhere in the body.
- Fatigue, depression, low motivation.
- Shortness of breath and weakness
- Problems with coordination and balance
When a b12 vitamin deficiency is suspected, supplements can be given either in the form of oral pill, sublingual lozenges, or vitamin B12 injections also known as B12 shots. So when you are getting a b12 shot, when should you expect it to work?
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Benefits Of Taking Vitamin B12
What kind of diseases and syndromes can vitamin B12 actually help?
As you might expect because the symptoms of deficiency are so diverse, the replacement of vitamin B12 can help a multitude of problems.
Benefits of Vitamin B12 shots and injections:
- Increase energy levels
- Improved sleep at night
- Improved hair growth or decreased hair loss
- Improved immune system
- Improved weight loss
- Improved mood, decreased depressive symptoms and more emotional stability
- Improved concentration and decreased brain fog
- More consistent cortisol levels in cases of adrenal fatigue
The above list is what I have observed and noticed in both patients and myself .
They certainly don’t represent the total spectrum of benefits that you may experience when taking B12 shots but they do cover many of the frequent symptoms that vitamin b12 patients have.
Having used vitamin B12 extensively in my practice with great results I’ve also discovered that certain patients do much better when taking vitamin B12.
In most cases I will recommend vitamin B12 shots to patients who have any of the following medical conditions:
These patients represent a specific subgroup of the population with very special needs and a propensity to develop B12 deficiency that may go undiagnosed.
If you have any of the following medical conditions vitamin b12 shots would be worth considering even for a short trial period.
What Are Vitamin B12 Injections
As you consider the pros and cons of a vitamin B12 injection, its helpful to understand what they are and how they work. Injections are given intramuscularly, whether you visit a doctors office, med spa, or in my case, walk up to my neighborhood wellness truck. In other words, a quick shot. They can either be prescribed by a doctor or made via appointment. Some wellness centers take walk-ins too.
Injections are usually administered as hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin . These are very effective at raising blood levels of vitamin B12, thus preventing or reversing a vitamin B12 deficiency. Hydroxocobalamin, in particular, is usually the recommended option as it stays in the body longer. On average, the price of an injection costs anywhere from $20-$100.
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Is Your B12 Shot Working
The typical course for B12 shots is to give a few injections in the first month at 1000mcg per shot and then start to spread them out. This is a rough guide and can be adjusted based on symptom severity and the severity of deficiency. The thing we have to keep in mind when treating b12 deficiency is that often times the symptoms have taken years to manifest and we may not see a noticeable change after 1-2 shots. That said, however, in most people I usually see a noticeable improvement after 2-3 shots. Sometimes the change will only last a few days and revert back to the previous health state. The most common noticeable change is in energy or clarity of thought.
So what do you do if you are not getting the expected outcome from your b12 shots?
Helps Improve Sleeping Patterns & Circadian Rhythm
Another VERY important, and often under-appreciated benefit of methylcobalamin is how it affects your circadian rhythm. Your circadian rhythm is the process that helps regulate the quality and depth of your sleep which can directly influence your mood, energy levels, and weight.
Studies have shown that methylcobalamin can improve this rhythm .
It should be noted that this study compared the effects of cyanocobalamin to methylcobalamin and found that methylcobalamin is the only form of vitamin B12 to have this effect.
Both cyanocobalamin and methylcobalamin are forms of Vitamin B12 but they are not created equal. Cyanocobalamin is considered the cheaper and less effective form of B12.
Compared to methylcobalamin which comes premethylated and ready for processing in your body and mitochondria. If you get B12 shots, make sure that you are getting methylated B12 for best results.
If you are having sleep issues including difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, problems getting tired at night or low energy levels then you may be experiencing problems with your circadian rhythm.
Taking methylcobalamin B12 shots may improve this rhythm and help increase your energy and help with weight loss.
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Vitamin B12 Supplementation In Pets With Epi
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency impairs an animals ability to digest and absorb the nutrients available in food. Because there are insufficient digestive enzymes created by the pancreas, food passes through the body basically undigested. The affected animal will begin to lose weight and have loose, foul-smelling diarrhea. Animals with EPI eat voraciously because they are not able to gain nourishment from the food they do ingest.
Treatment for this condition focuses on the use of enzyme replacements in the food. Replacements are typically required for the remainder of the animals life. Other factors will play a role in this disease condition, and your veterinarian will need to monitor your pet long-term to see if additional supplements, such as vitamin B12, or medications are necessary to maintain control.
