"Vitamin B12 Shots -
Do They Really Work?"

Have you ever had a vitamin B12 shot before? Are you wondering if you should? Many individuals request them each time they visit their doctor and think that they make them feel better after getting one.

But do they really work? Here's the inside scoop.

First, vitamin B12 is an essential water-soluble vitamin typically found in a number of foods including eggs, fish, poultry, meat and dairy products. It helps with the formation of red blood cells and is needed for normal functioning of nerves.

Your body typically stores several years of this vitamin, making a deficiency of it rare. However, a deficiency may be found in those individuals that are vegetarians, as a good source of this vitamin is found in animal meats. A deficiency of it may also occur if you are unable to absorb B12 from food.

You may be asking yourself, if it is so prevalent in our diets, why do I need a shot.

Many individuals suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome find that a B12 shot gives them the energy boost they need.

In one study of 12 women with chronic fatigue syndrome, it was found that homocysteine levels were elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of these women and that there was a positive correlation between homocysteine levels and vitamin B12 in the CSF and fatigue.

Homocysteine is an amino acid found in the blood that, when elevated, puts you at risk for developing conditions such as heart disease and chronic fatigue syndrome.

In another study of 28 individuals receiving B12 injections for two weeks, which was followed by a two-week period where they were given a placebo. In approximately 1/2 of the individuals, the placebo injections were given first.

Those individuals receiving a placebo first experienced a significant response to B12 regarding their overall well-being when given injections of it.

When the B12 was given first, the patients saw no difference in their conditions when the placebo was given, suggesting that B12 was effective for the entire four weeks.

These studies provide evidence that vitamin B12 shots do make you feel better, even though you may not be deficient in this vitamin.

The probable reason for shots being more effective than oral supplementation is that they are injected directly into the bloodstream, avoiding the digestive system.

In the digestive system, you lose the full effect of any medicine or supplement you take, as the digestive system is unable to completely absorb them.

Anemia is a condition that is characterized by a lack of hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin is needed to carry oxygen to cells and tissues.

Common symptoms of anemia include fatigue and weakness, and it may be caused by deficiency of this vitamin along with folic acid and iron.

The nucleus refers to the center of a cell’s structure, while the cytoplasm refers to all material within a living cell excluding the nucleus.

In fact, it is recommended that individuals with this condition be given an injection of B12, to help replenish depleted stores of B12.

The medical community feels that folic acid and the other B vitamins can reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke. They think this is because it can lower cholesterol and homocysteine levels in the blood.

A deficiency of B12 can lead to neurological changes including numbness and tingling in the extremities, as well as fatigue and weakness, constipation and weight loss.

So, in conclusion, do vitamin B12 shots really work? I’ll let you be the judge.

They almost certainly won't hurt, and they will probably give you an energy boost, so ask your physician the next time you see him to give you one.

Let me know if it helps.