Our busy modern lifestyles mean that many of us are unknowingly deficient in key vitamins and minerals that are essential to our health and for the optimum performance of the body. 

Vitamin B12 plays an important role in many of the body’s functions and a deficiency in this valuable vitamin will quickly make itself known.

It’s water-soluble, so the body does not store it and many of us are susceptible to not getting enough B12 from our diets. Luckily, there is an easy solution, just get a vitamin B12 shot!

 

What Is A Vitamin B12 Injection?

A vitamin B12 injection is typically prescribed by doctors for those suffering from low vitamin B12 levels. 

A B12 shot normally contains one form of B12 and can be any of the four types of B12 available including: 

  • Methylcobalamin
  • Adenosylcobalamin
  • Cyanocobalamin
  • Hydroxocobalamin
An image of supplement tablets

What Are The Health Benefits of Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is essential for various critical functions within our body. Also known as cobalamin, it plays a pivotal role in energy production by aiding in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. 

Moreover, vitamin B12 is a key player in the formation of red blood cells, ensuring effective oxygen transport throughout the body. It contributes to nerve health by supporting the creation of the protective myelin sheath, vital for efficient nerve communication. 

Additionally, vitamin B12 is involved in DNA synthesis, making it vital for cell division and the growth of new cells. Some studies also indicate its potential role in cognitive function and brain health. 

 

How To Increase Your B12 Levels

To increase your vitamin B12 levels, you have several effective options to consider. 

Incorporating foods naturally rich in B12 into your diet is a great starting point. These include animal products like meat, fish, dairy items, and eggs. If you have a vegetarian or vegan diet, seek out fortified foods such as cereals, plant-based milk alternatives, and nutritional yeast. 

If dietary sources aren’t sufficient, vitamin B12 supplements, available in various forms, can help fill the gap – just ensure to consult a healthcare professional beforehand. 

In more severe cases or instances of poor absorption, regular injections might be recommended. Ageing and certain health conditions can impact B12 absorption, so staying attuned to your body’s needs and seeking medical advice can be invaluable.

Foods Rich in Vitamin B12

  • Dairy
  • Fortified Non-Dairy Milk
  • Beef
  • Chicken
  • Animal Liver and Kidney
  • Eggs
  • Fortified Cereals
  • Fish – Tuna, Sardines, Trout and Salmon
  • Clams
  • Fortified Nutritional Yeast
A person getting a plaster put on after an injection

The 14 Vitamin B12 Injection Benefits

Vitamin B12 shots can help boost your body’s energy levels by preventing fatigue, helping you to lose weight and also by lowering the risk of heart disease and other serious health concerns. Vitamin B12 is also essential for the health of your skin, hair and nails.

Its other benefits include boosting your brainpower by slowing down memory loss, alleviating anxiety and aiding sleep. Here’s a list of the benefits:

  1. Prevents Anaemia
  2. Alleviates Anxiety
  3. Improves Sleep
  4. Boosts Energy
  5. Improves Brain Power
  6. Supports Heart Health
  7. Reduces Risk of Birth Defects
  8. Eases Morning Sickness
  9. Prevents Osteoporosis
  10. Reduces the Risk of Macular (Eye) Degeneration
  11. Boosts Immunity
  12. Aids Weight-loss
  13. Prevents Hair-loss
  14. Enhances Skin Health and Appearance

 

1. Prevents Anaemia

Getting a B12 shot can help to prevent anaemia because it supports the erythropoiesis process. Erythropoiesis is the process where red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow which is triggered by the erythropoietin hormone.

 2. Alleviates Anxiety

B12 can help fight mood swings, loss of focus and depression in a number of ways. One way it does this is by synthesising melatonin, dopamine and serotonin, the chemical messengers that influence your moods. Regular B12 shots can play a huge part in improving your mood.

3. Improves Sleep

As well as regulating your mood, melatonin also controls your sleeping patterns and if you’re suffering from a B12 deficiency, a common side effect is being unable to sleep and then feeling tired throughout the day.

Vitamin B12 is required for the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen and nutrients around the body. Many patients suffering from a B12 deficiency visit their GP complaining of tiredness and fatigue. 

4. Boosts Energy

B12 injection benefits a person’s body by assisting in the process of converting food into glucose, which the body requires for energy production.

5. Improves Brain Function

Vitamin B12 plays a role in supporting mental and cognitive performance. B12 has been proven to increase the cognitive function of older people and has even been used to prevent or slow the progression of dementia.

Vitamin B12 can slow down memory loss – a study published earlier this year in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition compared the use of lower and higher serum Vitamin B12 concentrations in ageing patients and found that those who had the higher dose performed better in memory tasks.

6. Supports Heart Health

B12 lowers levels of a compound known as homocysteine which is linked to a higher risk of heart attacks and stroke. 

While vitamin B12 has the power to lower the risk of heart disease, it is also linked to the fact that individuals with healthy levels of Vitamin B12 are more likely to spend time outdoors and exercise.

7. Reduce Risk of Birth Defects

Expectant mothers will need healthy levels of Vitamin B along with Folic Acid (Vitamin B9). 

Vitamin B-9 (Folate) has been shown to reduce an unborn baby’s risk of developing neural tube defects like spina bifida. It can also reduce the risk of spinal and nervous system defects.

8. Eases Morning Sickness

Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine) has even been successfully used to ease nausea and vomiting associated with morning sickness during pregnancy.

9. Prevents Osteoporosis

Pernicious anaemia is often referred to as vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia or B12 deficiency. 

Pernicious anaemia is associated with osteoporosis. Vitamin B12 has been shown to improve anaemia as mentioned earlier. In addition, Vitamin B12 has the power to restore bone density and strength lost due to osteoporosis.

10. Reduces the Risk of Macular (Eye) Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is more than twice as common in individuals with a Vitamin B12 deficiency than in those with healthy levels of Vitamin B12. This means regular Vitamin B shots can lower your risk of AMD by as much as 30%.

11. Boosts Immunity

Due to the fact that Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell formation, DNA production and metabolic function, B12 boosts your immunity by ensuring the body is functioning as it should in multiple areas. It has been found to be key in preventing and combating a number of serious health concerns, including various types of cancer.

12. Aids Weight Loss

B12 boosts your metabolism, so increasing levels of this vitamin can be invaluable support if you’re trying to lose weight through diet. Its energy-giving and mood-boosting benefits will also aid your efforts in the gym.

13. Prevents Hair-loss

Due to Vitamin B12’s vital role in cell rejuvenation and blood circulation, it is known to be essential for healthy, glowing hair.

The sooner you start getting more Vitamin B12 for your hair, the better. Oxygen-rich red blood cells promote healthy hair growth while strengthening and conditioning your hair from the inside.

14. Enhances Skin Health and Appearance

B12 is essential for the health of your skin, hair and nails as it plays a role in cell reproduction and therefore the renewal of your skin.

A B12 shot can help to increase collagen maintenance, improve cell turnover, reduce inflammation and redness, dryness and even help ease acne. 

 

Get An Instant B12 Boost

IV nutrient therapy at IV health clinics is fast becoming the preferred method for ensuring you’re getting adequate vitamins and minerals. 

At IV Boost UK, many of our vitamin drips contain B12, but we also offer a B12 vitamin shot to those who want instant delivery of this powerhouse vitamin to exactly where it is needed. Visiting our clinic is an easy way to get your hands on the B12 vitamin injection benefits.