Do vitamin b12 shots for weight loss work? Or more specifically, in which ways can vitamin b12 injections help you manage your weight?
Opinions are varied, but there are many individuals who give examples of their own experiences and how they have been able to lose weight by taking regular vitamin b12 shots. Perhaps a look at the dietary sources, functions and deficiency symptoms of vitamin b12 can give us a pointer.
Dietary Sources of Vitamin B12
All natural vitamin b12 sources are animal based. They include the liver, kidneys, beef, pork, chicken, eggs, fish and dairy products. This clearly shows that vegans are greatly constrained in getting this important vitamin from food sources. But even non vegans and the elderly may have digestive systems which are unable to absorb vitamin B12 from the diet. The recourse is supplementation, the most direct route being vitamin b12 shots which place the vitamin right into the bloodstream, ready for action.
Functions of vitamin B 12
Vitamin b12 is responsible for a wide range of functions. It is involved in many enzyme activities, production of genetic materials in cells, production of red blood cells within the bone marrow and the proper functioning of the nervous system. It also helps in the utilization of other vitamins such as folic acid as well as energy metabolism.
Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms include pernicious anemia, general tiredness, breathlessness following even short exercise and heart palpitations. Other symptoms are neuropathy, which brings about poor sensitivity and pain as well as poor coordination, poor concentration, forgetfulness and depression. Uncorrected deficiency leads to damage to the spinal cord, heart disease, sleep problems and psychosis.
Why B12 Shots for Weight Loss May Work
By looking at the animal sources of vitamin B12, its functions within the body and the problems arising from its deficiency, we can find a thread that shows the likely way by which vitamin b12 shots for weight loss can have merit.
Animal food sources are known to have many negative effects in the body including excess cholesterol, arteriosclerosis, hypertension and heart disease. These foods are also packed with a lot of saturated fats, which lead to excess weight gain.
On the other hand, deficiency of vitamin b12 leads to many debilitating symptoms. The fact is that b12 deficiency symptoms can be quite serious. A vitamin b12 deficient person suffering from pernicious anemia, general tiredness, heart palpitations, poor coordination, poor sensitivity, forgetfulness and depression will be weak and unmotivated and is unlikely to get involved in any significant physical exercises. While this may lead to low weight especially in the case of pernicious anemia, it is more likely to result with excess weight due to the inevitable resultant sedentary lifestyle.
Ours becomes a catch 22 situation in which we seek to get the gains of the vitamin and yet we also want to maintain reasonable weight.
B12 weight loss programs aim to provide sufficient vitamin without the negative inputs of the dietary sources. This ensures that you are full of energy and vigor so that you lead a happy and active life, burning up excess weight in exercises and receiving all the other benefits associated with vitamin b12. Sublingual b12 may also be effective.
So, while the decision to take vitamin b12 shots for weight loss is personal, let no one lead you to dismiss the idea. You can take a shot at it knowing that even excess b12 has no toxic effects.
