Wellness
Vitamin B12 Injections
The wellness and beauty world are colliding more than ever, making vitamin supplements a popular treatment. While injections of essential vitamins, like B12, and other nutrients help make up for what the body lacks, vitamin B12 supplementation is widespread, especially with vitamin deficiencies on the rise. Yet people who opt for these vitamin injections often desire increased energy, improved weight loss, and even age-related functional changes.
Vitamin B12 is essential for optimal brain health and DNA production
Yet because the vitamin can be stored in the liver for long periods, detecting a true deficiency isn’t always cut and dry. However, routine treatment can make a difference if necessary and is part of a well-rounded and comprehensive health plan.
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a vital role in brain function and red blood cell production. Given the critical roles that vitamin B12 plays within the body, a deficiency can have serious health consequences. Low blood levels of the vitamin have been linked to several health problems. Vitamin B12 shots are the most common way to prevent or treat a deficiency.
What are Vitamin B12 Injections?
Vitamin B12 injections are simple, painless injections. This medical treatment floods the body with high doses of synthetic versions of vitamin B12 to ease the effects of a vitamin deficiency. These injections are an excellent way of ensuring that the body receives the benefits of the vitamin.
When a true vitamin B12 deficiency exists, serious issues can arise. That’s because the body lacks the vitamin needed to produce adequate amounts of red blood cells. However, routine shots are an easy way to supplement what may be missing from your diet. These injections are given into the muscle and are usually in the form of either hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin, synthetic forms of vitamin B12, which effectively raise blood levels.
How do Vitamin B12 Injections work?
Even if you eat a diet rich in animal protein, it’s still possible to be deficient in vitamin B12, which is where the shots come into play.
During the treatment, a small needle is injected into the muscles of the upper arm, thigh, or buttocks. Injecting it into the vein can cause the treatment to be null and void as you pass it through urine. While the injections take hold relatively fast, their effects are not immediate. The body produces new red blood cells within 48 to 72 hours after the shot.
The degree of the deficiency determines how many injections you’ll need and how frequently.
What do vitamin B12 injections feel like?
The injections are relatively painless and feel like a routine vaccination at most. Most vitamin B12 injections don’t pose the risk of side effects. However, there may be some slight stinging at the injection site following the shot, which soon dissipates. Also, rare redness, minor pain, and a headache may accompany the treatment.
What are the benefits of vitamin B12 injections?
There are many benefits of regular vitamin B12 injections. Some of the more noted advantages include:
- Improved brain function
- More focus and better memory
- A less tired feeling
- Improved energy and mood
- Less depression
- Stronger bones
- Maintained weight
- Less hair loss and thinning
- Improved vision
- Improvement in GI issues
While oral supplementation of vitamin B12 is adequate, getting a shot is quick and more straightforward than swallowing a pill daily.
Who is a good candidate for vitamin B12 injections?
While those with a true vitamin B12 deficiency benefit most from vitamin B12 injections, you don’t have to have a clinically low diagnosis or low levels to reap the benefits of the treatment. Most adults store vitamin B12 in the liver and have ample amounts, but these shots can benefit those at risk of developing a deficiency or having one.
Of course, people with a proper vitamin B12 deficiency will see more of a benefit, like improvement with less fatigue, nausea, and irritability.
Some symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency include:
- difficulty thinking
- brain fog
- fatigue
- pale skin
- weight loss
- dementia
- numbness and tingling in hands and feet
- mood changes
- decreased appetite
- constipation
A lack of animal protein and following a plant-based diet sans appropriate supplementation can lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency. Vegans, vegetarians, and those who eat small amounts of animal-based proteins and meats often see a noticeable difference after vitamin B12 injections. Also, people who smoke cigarettes, take certain medications or have GI conditions also benefit from the treatment since they lack the vitamin.
Common FAQs
The injections are relatively painless and feel like a routine vaccination at most. Most vitamin B12 injections don’t pose the risk of side effects. However, there may be some slight stinging at the injection site following the shot, which soon dissipates. Also, rare redness, minor pain, and a headache may accompany the treatment.
The injections are relatively painless and feel like a routine vaccination at most. Most vitamin B12 injections don’t pose the risk of side effects. However, there may be some slight stinging at the injection site following the shot, which soon dissipates. Also, rare redness, minor pain, and a headache may accompany the treatment.
With vitamin B12 injections, your body only takes what it needs. Because the vitamin is water-soluble, excess amounts of it will be eliminated. If your B12 levels are sufficient, you may not see an increase in energy. To determine this, we recommend a consultation first.
Everyone is individual, but most people benefit from a weekly shot for four weeks. From there, your provider may recommend monthly injections. Again, we recommend a consultation to determine a plan that fits your need
Get started with AdvancedMD Aesthetics of Atlanta
If you’re ready to get on the road to healthy, there’s no better time than now to book a consultation with Advanced MD Aesthetics of Atlanta. A one-on-one consultation with our experienced, professional aestheticians and team of skin experts will determine the best vitamin injections for you. We can also customize a package specific to your needs so you can obtain the best results possible.
Click the button below to schedule a consultation or book your vitamin B12 injection appointment today!
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