B12 Fact Sheet
What is vitamin B12? Vitamin B12 is the largest and most complex of all the vitamins. It is needed to help maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. The red blood cells carry oxygen and nourish the organs and cells throughout the body. It is also needed to produce DNA,, the genetic material in all cells. There are enzymes which require vitamin B12 to produce energy from fats and protein. Vitamin B12 may be important in cancer prevention, decrease risk of heart disease and Alzheimer's.
Although we only need vitamin B12 in small amounts, it is an essential nutrient in maintaining many healthy body functions. These functions include:
-
Maintaining a healthy normal nervous system
-
Creating a protective fatty layer that covers all of the nerve cells
-
Metabolizing protein, fat and carbohydrates
-
DNA replication
-
Manufacturing red blood cells
-
Increasing energy levels
-
Producing a substance that affects and enhances mood
-
Preventing anemia
-
Helping in the absorption of calcium
-
Controlling homocysteine levels which leads to a decreased risk of stroke, coronary disease, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's
-
Ensuring the immune system is functioning at its optimal level
Our bodies and vitamin B12. Known as cobolamin and cyanocobalamin, vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is very important to many functions of the human body. However, absorbing this vitamin for use is very difficult. In order for absorption to take place easily, the following processes must take place.
-
During digestion our bodies produce hydrochloric acid.
-
The hydrochloric acid releases the vitamin B12 found naturally in protein foods.
-
The stomach then produces an intrinsic factor, which is the name of a glycoprotein made by the parietal cells of the stomach.
-
The intrinsic factor binds with the vitamin B12 allowing it to be easily absorbed through the intestines for use.
Adequate hydrochloric acid, proteins, and effective gastric intrinsic factors are the basis for the breakdown and absorption process of dietary or oral supplements of Vitamin B12 for a healthy well nourished adult. Unfortunately, many of us take medications that reduce these acids, which may decrease the ability to process and use the ingested vitamin B12. There are many prescribed drugs, disease processes, aging, alcohol ingestion, hormonal stresses, pregnancy, and simply low intake of protein that may directly interfere with vitamin B12 intake, absorption and a bodies needs.
What are sources of vitamin B12? The richest dietary sources of vitamin B12 are liver, kidneys, cheese, clams, crab, mussels, salmon, rock fish, cooked beef, chicken, turkey, eggs, and milk. Most oral multivitamin supplements contain 100-200 micrograms of vitamin B12. An example: 500 mcg. of vitamin B12 taken orally - approximately 1.8 mcg. may be absorbed due to the digestive process and the
multivitamin consistency. A sublingual tablet, which is dissolved under your tongue, is a better approach than oral supplement. Many have notice more effectiveness from an intramuscular injection.
What are characteristics associated with a low vitamin B12 intake or absorption? Mood changes, memory loss, depression, ringing in the ears, frequent seasonal illnesses, loss of energy, poor sleep habits, irritability, unable to cope with stress, loss of appetite, weight loss, constipation, headaches, allergies, numbness and tingling of hands and feet.
Facts to Know about vitamin B12 injections. Vitamin B12 is most effective when taken at regular intervals. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, but unlike the others, it is not completely excreted quickly in the urine. Small amounts of vitamin B12 may be stored in the liver and body fat tissues.
Before starting vitamin B12 injections talk to your doctor if you have or have had:
-
Leber’s Disease
-
Kidney disease
-
Liver disease
-
Iron deficiency
-
Folic acid deficiency
-
Receiving any treatment that has an effect on bone marrow
-
Taking any medication that has an effect on bone marrow
-
An allergy to cobalt or any other medication, vitamin, dye, food or preservative
-
Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Possible common side effects from vitamin B12 injections:
-
Mild diarrhea
-
Upset stomach
-
Nausea
-
A feeling of pain and a warm sensation at the site of the injection
-
A feeling, or a sense, of being swollen over the entire body
-
Headache
-
Joint pain
Health Shots provides only a supplement dosage of 1000mcg injection per month. However, with any vitamin supplement, reported rare serious side effects need to be reported and discontinue any vitamin B12 supplement regiment if you experience:
-
heart palpitations or chest pain
-
muscle weakness, pain, cramps or swelling of legs
-
feeling of extreme thirst or frequent urination
-
difficulty breathing, or swallowing
-
feeling of extreme tiredness or fatigue
-
skin rash, hives or itching
