Vitamin B12: The Basics

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an essential role in the body. It is responsible for protein metabolism, red blood cell formation, and central nervous system maintenance.

Your body does not produce Vitamin B12 on its own. Although you can ingest Vitamin B12 through your diet or in pill form, Vitamin B12 injections can provide more immediate effects. You can learn more about the vitamin injection therapies offered by VitaOasis here.

Benefits of Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 has many benefits for your health. For starters, it is vital for red blood cell formation. Red blood cells are necessary, as they carry oxygen throughout the body. B12 also assists nerve function, which is essential to ensuring your central nervous system functions properly. Lastly, vitamin B12 promotes cellular metabolism and DNA synthesis.

What does this mean for you? To put it simply, Vitamin B12 may help raise your energy, boost your mood, and improve your memory; It also has the potential to help prevent certain age-related conditions, such as heart disease, dementia, and osteoporosis.

What foods are high in Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 exists naturally in most animal products, including red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and milk. In addition, some breakfast cereals and nutritional yeasts are fortified with B12 (check the nutrition label to ensure).

Vitamin B12 is not naturally found in plants or plant-based foods.

Who should take Vitamin B12?

Many people, especially in the United States, receive enough Vitamin B12 through their diet from animal products. However, certain groups of people are particularly at risk of developing low Vitamin B12.

People who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet are at risk for Vitamin B12 deficiency because Vitamin B12 is not found in plant-based foods. Other at-risk groups include older adults and people with diseases of the digestive tract that inhibit nutrient absorption, such as Chron’s, Ulcerative Colitis, celiac disease, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

If you fall into any of these high-risk groups, it is crucial to ensure you are taking in enough Vitamin B12 to meet your body’s needs to prevent deficiency.

What happens if you have low Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to severe complications, including:

Anemia
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Gastrointestinal issues
Mood disturbances, such as depression
Nerve damage
Dementia, confusion, or poor memory

Is it worth getting a Vitamin B12 injection?

Vitamin B12 injections are most helpful for people who cannot receive enough B12 through their diets. If you are an older adult, someone who eats a plant-based diet, or someone with disordered absorption, a Vitamin B12 injection can help return your levels to normal. Restoring your Vitamin B12 levels can help treat or prevent anemia, fatigue, and other deficiency symptoms, as listed above.

If you think you could use a Vitamin B12 injection, reach out today!