B12 Facts:
- B12 injections are typically used as a treatment for a certain type of anemia (pernicious anemia). In this type of anemia, people lack intrinsic factor in the stomach which is necessary for the absorption of the vitamin.
- Vegetarians (especially vegans) are also given shots of B12 since their diet is low in animal products, the primary source of B12.
- People with chronic fatigue or anemia require monthly injections of vitamin B12 usually because the oral form is not dependable.
- Vitamin B12 shots are most effective when taken at regular intervals (usually monthly). a regular schedule to receive the injections can be customized to each individual.
- The body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12 is reduced with increasing age. Older people are often detected to have a more potent vitamin B12 deficiency, even in cases where they do not suffer from pernicious anemia.
- Deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to abnormal neurologic and psychiatric symptoms including ataxia (shaky movements and unsteady gait), muscle weakness, spasticity, incontinence, hypotension, vision problems, dementia, psychoses, and mood disturbances.
Benefits of B12:
- Improves energy, mental alertness, and stamina for everyday tasks.
- Builds red blood cells.
- Supports the immune system.
- Improves sleep.
- Increases metabolism, thereby aiding in weight loss.
- Reduces allergies, stress, and depression.
- Improves mood stabilization.
- Decreases frequency and severity of migraines and headaches.
- Helps lower homocysteine levels in the blood, thereby reducing the probability of heart diseases and stroke.
Possible Side Effects and Contraindications of B12
- A vitamin B12 shot is safe and generally has no side effects, even in higher doses.
- Some redness and swelling at the injection site may occur. This should start to get better within forty-eight (48) hours.
- In rare cases, B12 can cause diarrhea, peripheral vascular thrombosis, itching, transitory exanthema, urticaria, feelings of swelling of the whole body.
- Sensitivity to cobalt and/or cobalamin is a contraindication.
- People with chronic liver and/or kidney dysfunction should not take frequent B12 injections; therefore we ask that you please provide us with a recent copy of lab work, which reflects liver and kidney function. This lab work is usually referred to as a metabolic panel. If you have not checked your lab work recently, we ask that you get a complete blood workup as soon as possible.
- Interactions with drugs, Chloramphenicol can impede on the red blood cell producing properties of B12.
- Other drugs that decrease or reduce absorption of B12; antibiotics, cobalt irradiation, colchicine, colestipol, H2-blockers, metformin, nicotine, birth control pills, potassium chloride, proton pump inhibitors such as Prevacid, Losec, Aciphex, Pantaloc, and Zidovudine.
- B12 is contraindicated in Leber’s disease, a hereditary optic nerve condition.
The Methylcobalamine difference
- Cyanocobalamin is the most commonly supplemented form of vitamin B12, but does not actually occur in plants or animal tissues.
- Cyanocobalamin contains a cyanide molecule. The amount of cyanide in cyanocobalamin is minor however, your body will still need to remove and eliminate this compound.
- Methylcobalamin is better absorbed and retained in higher amounts within your tissues
- Methylcobalamin is the specific form of B12 primarily in your liver, brain and nervous system. Methylcobalamin deficiency in the nervous system can result in numbness, tingling, loss of feeling sensation, burning sensations, muscle cramps, nerve pain and slowness of reflexes.
- Elevated homocysteine is an indication of decreased levels of methylcobalamin. In combination with folic acid homocysteine levels indicative of heart disease can be effectively lowered using methylcobalamin.
- Methylcobalamin’s is also an important vitamin to regulate your 24-hour release of the stress hormone cortisol
Come in and see if B-12 can make a difference in your health
B-12 shot happy hours: Monday 8:30-12pm, Wednesday 8:30-5:30, and Friday 8:30 -12pm
15$ regular 25$
Dr. Michele Raithel, ND