Should You Take Vitamin B-12 Shots?

Mind is All

You may have heard of people taking vitamin B-12 supplements of shots. Do you need to take supplements, and are the shots truly of value?

Vitamin B-12 is necessary for the development of red blood cells, proper neurological functions, and the prevention of anemia. Vitamin B-12 is also needed for the production of DNA.

While weight loss clinics claim to have marvelous results from delivering B-12 shots and supplements, there is no hard scientific evidence to back this up. You probably aren’t B-12 deficient (a simple blood test can let you know if you are) and your body is going to store all the extra B-12 until you need it at a future date. Getting a vitamin B-12 shot is not going to enhance your metabolic rate or provide extra energy unless you were truly deficient or anemic, both of which can be proven with a test. Always get advice from a trusted doctor before you start taking vitamin B-12 shots or self-medicate with mega-doses of B-12, especially asking about the interactions of B-12 and medications.

Natural sources of vitamin B-12 are animal products. If you eat dairy products, shellfish, meat, eggs, or fortified products, you probably get plenty of vitamin B-12. Vegans—people who do not eat any animals products at all—are particularly susceptible to vitamin B-12 deficiency. However, if vegans eat fortified cereals, they probably aren't at high risk of deficiency.

Most people need between 2.6-2.8 micrograms of vitamin B-12 a day to be healthy. You can get this much in a simple bowl of fortified cereal with a cup of milk. Most people who show up with a B-12 deficiency have a problem using the B-12 they've consumed, not because they didn't eat or take enough. The problem may be that your intestines are functioning properly and allowing your body to take in the B-12, or it could be that your body has stored the B-12, but can't release it for use. In most cases, people store vitamin B-12 for years, meaning deficiency is unusual.