12 Wombwell road Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
Benefits of Vitamin B12 injections
Vitamin B12 injections are an injectable form of vitamin B12. Normally, vitamin B12 is absorbed via the gastric tract including within the small intestine from the food which we eat, examples of foods rich in Vitamin B12 include Eggs, Fish, Red Meat and more. In order for the gut to absorb Vitamin B12 from the foods which we eat, it has to bind to a protein called Intrinsic Factor which is found naturally within our gut. Vitamin b12 is important for our metabolism, red blood cells, DNA and the development of our brain and nerve health.
Certain Individuals are more at risk of deficiency include:
1) People who either don’t eat foods which contain Vitamin B12, or eat very little, such as people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.
2) People who have Pernicious Anaemia - this is an autoimmune disease that attacks and destroys Intrinsic Factor within the gut, which means these individuals cannot therefore absorb Vitamin B12 from the foods they eat - Even if they eat Vitamin B12 Rich foods!
3) People who have have had surgery on their gastric tract/bowel where the intrinsic factor is produced
4) People with diseases of the Gastric Tract, such as Coeliac disease, Colitis
5) Certain medications such as ant acid medication such as Omeprazole, Lanzoprazole, Esomeprazole, Cimetidine, Famotidine, Nizatidine. Ranitidine, other over the counter antacids medication to relieve heartburn and indigestion , Metformin (a drug used in diabetes) & anti-histamines for hay-fever and other allergies can all factor the absorption of b12 from the foods we eat.
Low vitamin B12 levels can have a significant impact on on mental and physical health. Symptoms can include:
- Memory loss or confusion
- Depression and anxiety
- Lack of energy
- Feeling weak
- Nerve damage such as numbness, or tingling to the hands and feet
- Seizures
- Perniclous Anemia
- Hair Loss
- Headaches
- Bells Palsy
No, even if your b12 levels are within normal limits, it’s still safe to proceed with an injection. The way that the body absorbs the vitamin from the injection means that any of the injection which is not required is excreted in the urine.
Having Vitamin B12 injections can:
- Increase Energy Levels
- Balance Hormones
- Support with regulating metabolism and aid weight loss
- Support with the function of the nerves in your body
- Can Help to reduce anxiety and depression
- Boosts immune system
- Improve sleep quality
- Improve memory
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding (unless your GP checks bloods and authorises)
- People who are very sensitive to the vitamin B12 injection
- People with levers disease which affects the nerve which supplies the eyes (Optic Nerve)
- People who are known to have Kidney problems
- People with low potassium levels
- People who have active cancer, or are currently receiving cancer treatment
If you are deficient on a blood test, we recommend the following amount of injections:
- 1 injection 3 times per week for 2 weeks,
- Followed by 1 injection every 12 weeks if required.