Vitamin supplements are very popular.
People often believe they’ll act as a safety net and help to ensure adequate nutrient intake.
Supplementing with vitamin B12 is particularly common because deficiency is widespread.
Many people regularly get injections with vitamin B12.
These are claimed to help with energy levels, brain function, and weight loss, to name a few.
This article reviews B12 injections and whether they are something you should consider.
What is vitamin B12, and what does it do?
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, also known as cobalamin.
It plays a vital role in brain function and the production of DNA and red blood cells.
Chemically, vitamin B12 can exist in several forms, but all contain the mineral cobalt.
The vitamin can be stored in the liver for a long time, so it may take a few years for a deficiency to develop.
Summary: Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an essential role in brain function and red blood cell production.
Many people are deficient in vitamin B12
The recommended daily intake of vitamin B12 is six micrograms per day.
Deficiency is common, especially in people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.
It’s thought that up to 90% of people following these diets have a deficiency.
This is because B12 is only found naturally in animal foods.
However, vegans and vegetarians are not the only ones who are deficient. Even some meat eaters don’t absorb it very well.
Unlike other vitamins, the absorption of vitamin B12 depends on a protein produced in your stomach, called the intrinsic factor.
Intrinsic factor binds to vitamin B12 so that you can absorb it into the blood. People who don’t produce enough intrinsic factor can become deficient.
Deficiency is particularly common in elderly people because the ability to absorb vitamin B12 can decrease with age.
Other people at risk of deficiency include those who have had intestinal surgery, including weight loss surgery. Those with diseases that affect the gut, such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease, are also at risk.
Summary: Those at greatest risk of vitamin B12 deficiency are vegans and vegetarians, who get little to no B12 from the diet. Deficiency can also be caused by poor absorption.
Vitamin B12 shots are very effective
An untreated vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to neurological problems or pernicious anemia, which occurs when your body doesn’t have enough B12 to produce the number of red blood cells it needs.
Vitamin B12 shots are the most common way to prevent or treat a deficiency. The injections are prescribed by a doctor and given intramuscularly or into muscle.
Injections are usually given as hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin. These are very effective at raising blood levels of B12 and preventing/reversing a deficiency.
Summary: If you are deficient in vitamin B12, the injections are very effective at raising your blood levels.
Potential health benefits of vitamin B12 injections
Given the vital roles that vitamin B12 plays in your body, a deficiency can have serious health consequences.
Low blood levels of the vitamin have been linked to several health problems.
Brain function
Low levels of vitamin B12 have been linked to a decline in brain function.
Two recent reviews found that there may be a link between low blood levels and the development of dementia.
However, results have been mixed, and treatment with vitamin B12 wasn’t effective at improving brain function in people with normal brain function.
Depression
It’s been suggested that there may be a link between low vitamin B12 levels and depression.
However, one review found that treating depression with vitamin B12 didn’t reduce the severity of symptoms.
Nevertheless, it was suggested that taking the vitamin long-term could help prevent a relapse into depression.
Suggested read: Can vitamin B12 help you lose weight?
Currently, there is a lack of quality research in this area. Higher quality studies are needed to determine if there is a link between vitamin B12 and depression.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease in which the loss of bone mass results in weaker bones and an increased risk of bone fractures.
Interestingly, low blood levels of vitamin B12 have been linked with reduced bone mass.
Therefore, it’s been suggested that taking vitamin B12 may reduce your risk of osteoporosis. However, studies have provided mixed results.
Age-related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is a condition that causes you to lose central vision, usually in both eyes, gradually.
In people aged 50 and over, adequate consumption of vitamin B12 is thought to be important for maintaining good vision and protecting against macular degeneration.
In one large study, 5,200 women received 1,000 mcg of vitamin B12 daily and other B vitamins and folic acid.
Seven years later, the study found a 35% lower risk of age-related macular degeneration among the women who took the supplements.
Although the risk reduction can’t be attributed to vitamin B12 only, it does suggest that getting enough may be important.
Other claims
Recently, vitamin B12 injections and infusions have become popular among healthy people who don’t appear to have a deficiency.
Advocates of this approach claim that regular injections can boost energy levels and help with weight loss and mood.
However, there is little to no evidence to support these claims.
Summary: Ensuring you have enough vitamin B12 is essential for brain function and mental, bone, and eye health. Injections are probably useless if you don’t have a deficiency.
Safety and side effects of vitamin B12 injections
Vitamin B12 injections are generally considered to be very safe. They have no significant side effects.
Suggested read: Vitamin B12 dosage: How much should you take per day?
However, in rare cases, some people can experience side effects caused by allergic reactions or sensitivity.
If you experience any side effects, speak with your doctor.
Summary: Vitamin B12 injections are very safe. In rare cases, the injections may cause allergic reactions.
Other ways to get vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is found in animal foods and some fortified foods that have added B12.
Fortified foods vary from country to country but often include milk alternatives or breakfast cereals.
Some especially good sources of vitamin B12 include:
- Liver: 1/3 cup (75 g) provides 881% of your daily need.
- Beef kidney: 1/3 cup (75 g) provides 311% of your daily need.
- Trout: 1/3 cup (75 g) provides 61% of your daily need.
- Canned salmon: 1/3 cup (75 g) provides 61% of your daily need.
- Ground beef: 1/3 cup (75 g) provides 40% of your daily need.
- Eggs: 2 large eggs provide 25% of your daily need.
- Milk: 1 cup (250 ml) provides 20% of your daily need.
- Chicken: 1/3 cup (75 g) provides 3% of your daily need.
It can be difficult for some people to meet their vitamin B12 requirements. This is particularly true for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet.
In these situations, it’s usually recommended to supplement your diet with either a B12 shot or an oral supplement.
Fortunately, there is increasing evidence that oral B12 supplements are just as good as injections for raising blood levels in most people.
Vegetarians and vegans are usually advised to take at least ten mcg per day, or at least 2,000 mcg once per week.
However, some doctors still prefer the use of injections.
Summary: Many animal foods are high in vitamin B12. Oral supplements have also been shown to be effective at raising blood levels.
Do you need vitamin B12 injections?
If you eat a well-balanced diet that includes foods rich in vitamin B12, then it is unlikely that you’ll need to take additional B12.
For most people, dietary sources provide everything that is needed. However, people at risk of deficiency will probably need to take supplements.
In these cases, oral supplements may be as effective as injections for many people.
Some experts point out that regular injections should only be used as a last resort if supplements don’t work or deficiency symptoms are serious.
Suggested read: Methylcobalamin vs. cyanocobalamin: What’s the difference?
