Big Benefits of Vitamin B12 Shots While In Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The prevalence of B12 deficiency increases as we age. This is due to something called intrinsic factor in our stomach declining. Intrinsic factor is needed to absorb B12. Thankfully, it is a simple and economical vitamin to supplement.

Vitamin B12 supplements can be taken orally or parenterally (injected). Injection bypasses the digestive system and goes directly into your tissues. It is also acceptable to take orally in larger amounts to overcome declining intrinsic factor.

For more information about Vitamin  B12, call us at the Injection and Infusion Clinic of ABQ at 505-445-4300. Or book your Vitamin B12 shot online today. 

A lack of Vitamin B12 can cause many health problems. It affects your heart, physical performance, and cognitive functions. This blog shares with you the importance of  Vitamin B12:

• What is  Vitamin B12?
• What are the causes of  Vitamin B12 deficiency?
• What are the symptoms of    VitaminB12 deficiency?
• What are the potential benefits of  Vitamin B12 shots?
• How long do  Vitamin B12 shots last?
• What are the side effects of  Vitamin B12?
• How much is the cost of  Vitamin B12 shots?
• What is Vitamin  B12?

What is Vitamin B12?

Also known as cobalamin, B12 is a naturally occurring water-soluble vitamin. It’s essential in energy and red blood cell production, DNA synthesis, and proper nerve and neurological function. 

Protein-rich foods such as eggs, meats, and dairy contain  Vitamin B12. It’s not present in vegetables, but breakfast cereals can be fortified with it. The Office of Dietary Supplements recommends a daily intake of 2.4 mcg of Vitamin B12 for adults and children four years and older.

It comes in various forms. The natural-occurring B12 vitamins are methylcobalamin, adenosylcobalamin, and hydroxocobalamin. These bioidentical forms can be found in foods and supplements. The synthetic form, cyanocobalamin is the most common form found in supplements. It is best to avoid the cyanocobalamin forms as it is the most difficult form for your body to "activate". You should ideally supplement with methyl or hydroxocobalamin forms. This is true for both oral and injectable forms.

Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Aging, an autoimmune condition, malabsorption, or insufficient intake of Vitamin B12 can cause a  B12 deficiency . 

Pernicious anemia is a type of megaloblastic anemia. It’s a blood disorder characterized by the lack of intrinsic factor. As mentioned above, intrinsic factor is required to absorb vitamin B12 in the GI tract. Without sufficient quantities of B12, the body can’t produce enough red blood cells. Pernicious anemia affects 1% to 2% of adults.

Malabsorption: Individuals with gastrointestinal disorders can’t absorb enough Vitamin  B12. Gastrointestinal disorders include Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and infestation from a tapeworm or Diphyllobothrium latum. Older adults and people who have undergone weight loss or gastrointestinal surgery are also at risk. 

Insufficient intake of  Vitamin B12 happens among vegetarians and strict vegans. Because B12 is present in meat and animal based products, people who eat all plant-based food may lack the recommended intake of  Vitamin B12. 

There are several medications that increase the risk of Vitamin B12 deficiency:

• Aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid is linked to low Vitamin B12 levels. A study shows  people who took aspirin were more frequently  Vitamin B12 deficient than non-takers.

• Histamine H2 receptor antagonists include cimetidine, famotidine, and ranitidine, which may interfere with the absorption of  Vitamin B12 in the stomach.

• Metformin may reduce the absorption of  Vitamin B12. A study suggests that 10-30% of people who take metformin have decreased absorption.

• Oral contraceptives are associated with low Vitamin B12 levels. Researchers  found that women using oral contraceptives had significantly lower Vitamin B12 than usual in a case-control study.

• Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole and lansoprazole, may slow down  Vitamin B12 in the stomach.

What are the Symptoms  of Vitamin B12 Deficiency ?

Symptoms include:

• Anemia
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Numbness and tingling of hands and feet
• Neuropsychiatric: Confusion, depression, dementia, and poor memory

Six Potential Benefits of Vitamin  B12

High-dose Vitamin B12 taken by mouth or injected intramuscularly is effective in correcting anemia related to B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 helps prevent and manage megaloblastic anemia. This type of anemia causes the production of red blood cells that are too large, hence the name megaloblastic anemia. Due to their abnormal size and fragile structure, the bone marrow destroys many of these cells before they can enter the bloodstream, while the few that escape are cleared out rapidly. When this happens, there are not enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the parts of your body. As a result, you feel weak or tired.

Prevents congenital disabilities: Lack of  Vitamin B12 to women and their fetus, have detrimental effects. Women may experience infertility and abortions due to  Vitamin B12 deficiency. For pregnant women, it may cause a risk of birth defects and preterm birth. 

Researchers have found  low levels of Vitamin B12 among mothers of children with neural tube defects. Vitamin B12 levels of <250 ng/L may pose three times the risk of birth defects. Women who want to become pregnant should have concentrations of Vitamin  B12 >300 ng/L to 400 ng/L.

Improves mood and depressive symptoms:  Vitamin B12 aids in synthesizing serotonin chemicals in the brain that regulate mood. A lack of  Vitamin B12 may decrease serotonin, which results in mood disorders such as depression. Management of depression may include  B12 supplementation. 

B12 may reduce the risk of neurological disorders and prevent damage to the nervous system, which leads to mental decline and disorders. Among people with mild cognitive impairment,  Vitamin B12 with omega-3 fatty acid may slow the decline. The rate of brain deterioration also declines with  Vitamin B12 plus folate supplementation.

“Can vitamin supplements improve sports performance?” Studies of B12 supplementation and physical performance have mixed results. While B12 (and all vitamins) are critical for optimal function, it is likely a study of stand-alone B12 supplementation would only show improvements if the participants were initially deficient.

Vitamin B12 plays a role in the regulation of the immune system. However, the exact mechanism is still unclear. Researchers conducted a study among people with  Vitamin B12 deficiency. 

They found that the  Vitamin B12 deficient participants had decreased lymphocytes. They also exhibited abnormally high CD4/CD8 ratios and low Natural Killer (NK) cell activity. CD4/CD8 and NK lymphocytes are vital in fighting bacteria and viruses. Any changes in the ratio of lymphocytes may increase your risk of catching infections.

The study reveals  Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) injection therapy restored lymphocytes. Vitamin B12 shots also improved CD4/CD8 T cell ratio and NK cell activity. It highlights  Vitamin B12 as an “immunomodulator for cellular immunity.”

Vitamin B12: Potential Side Effects

Vitamin B12 shots are safe, effective, and well-tolerated for preventing or correcting a deficiency. You may experience pain or redness at the injection site as a temporary discomfort. Unless you have severe kidney disease, there is no risk for toxicity. As a water soluble vitamin, excess vitamin is easily and rapidly excreted from the body through urine. Fun fact, B12 is naturally pink. Excessive dosing can lead to pink urine. This is completely harmless.

There are a few conditions that may make B12 supplementation unsafe.

• Cobalamin or cobalt allergy
• Severe Kidney disease
• Leber’s disease (an eye disorder)
• Low potassium levels (hypokalemia)
• Polycythemia vera (rare blood disorder)

Take the Shot

Vitamin B12 shots are beneficial for people suffering from Vitamin B12 deficiency.  If you have this condition or think you may already have this condition, talk to us about it at the Injection and Infusion Clinic of ABQ  505-445-5030.