Vitamin B12 Injections are an effective and easy way to boost your B12 levels. They are the most common vitamin deficiencies in the UK and globally as they are difficult to get from the diet.
What is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin performs several important functions in the body, including production of red blood cells, DNA in regenerating cells, and myelin synthesis for our nerve cells.
B12 is made in the soil by bacteria with a mineral called cobalt. Unlike other B vitamins, B12 is not available in plant foods. Previously found naturally in animal-based foods (such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy), the decline in soil quality and change in farming methods means that now even animals are given B12 supplements!
What if I don’t get enough vitamin B12?
Deficiency in the general population is high at 40% and can cause a wide range of problems:
- Anaemia
- Extreme tiredness or lack of energy
- A sore red tongue or mouth ulcers
- Nerve damage causing muscle weakness or unsteady gait
- Blurred vision
- Poor memory, judgement or understanding
- Low mood or confusion
- Heart and vascular disease, including stroke, heart attack
Am I at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency?
Risk factors for deficiency are caused by poor intake or poor absorption:
- Vegetarian or vegan diets contain low levels of Vitamin B12
- Eating disorders
- Age 50 yrs + (reduced production stomach acid leads to poor absorption)
- Pernicious anaemia (autoimmune condition prevents production of intrinsic factor which is necessary for absorption)
- Gastritis (stomach inflammation reduces acid production and leads to poor absorption)
- Overweight
- Alcohol
- Medications reducing stomach acid (Lansoprazole, Omeprazole, Ranitidine) or Metformin for treating Diabetes.
- Intestinal disease (Coeliac, Crohn’s, IBS, regular diarrhoea)
- Intestinal surgery
How much should I take?
The recommended Daily Intake (RDI) is 2.4mcg per day in the USA. To prevent deficiency, supplementation is recommended for everyone through either fortified foods, oral supplements, or intramuscular injections.
Eat fortified foods daily, including yeast extract, fortified non-dairy milks, and cereals.
Oral supplements 10 mcg per day or 2 mg once weekly will prevent deficiency if the body is able to absorb it, though this method is often unreliable.
Intramuscular vitamin B12 is the best treatment for those with deficiency, poor absorption or forget to take supplements.
Hydroxocobalamin is retained longest in the body, a dose of 1mg every 2-3 months will keep your stores topped up.
Please note, these doses will not adequately treat a diagnosed deficiency. If you have symptoms or signs, you will need a review with your GP and a full set of bloods, as dosing in these instances can be much higher and will be guided by your blood profile.
What are the benefits of Vitamin B12?
- Prevents anaemia
- Improved energy if your levels were low
- Better cognitive focus and mental clarity
- Improves mood, anxiety and depression
- Healthy skin, hair, and nails
- Lowers homocysteine levels, thereby reducing risk of vascular or heart disease
- Improves metabolism, may help weight loss
Are vitamin injections safe?
Vitamin B12 is generally considered very safe. It is a water soluble vitamin, this means your body excretes any extra it does not need in your urine.
Not advised for people:
- with blood pressure issues
- with kidney or liver issues
- who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- who have had a blood transfusion in the last 6 months
Customer Review:
Rich Maybe a long distance runner recently received a B12 injection and said:
“The B12 injection really helped my recovery after a viral infection. I’d been struggling with fatigue, and my training had stalled. A week after the injection, my energy levels were on the up and I’m now back running as normal. Thanks Natalie!”
What to expect:
A 20 minute session for a Vitamin B12 injection given every 6-8 weeks. I give a 1050mg dose.
Natalie Bhangal is a personal trainer who has a passion for health, fitness and strength training. She trains beginners, athletes, pregnant and postnatal women, those with injuries and injury prone clients. For more information email natalie@graftfitness.co.uk
IT'S TIME TO GET YOUR #GRAFT ON!
Our exclusive range of Graft fitness clothing is designed to be functional and is manufactured using the latest technical fabrics. Once you get them on, you’ll instantly feel part of the #graft movement and be ready to tackle anything, including one of my fitness sessions!
