Vitamin B12 Injection For Weight Loss: What You Should Know
Things You Better Know About B12 injection for weight loss
B12 injection for weight loss has, in recent years, become incorporated in the fitness regimens of those who are having difficulties in losing weight. However, not many people are educated on the role of Vitamin B12 in weight loss. In fact, most harbor the wrong belief that it is the vitamin itself that causes them to lose those excess pounds.
Why Use B12 Injection for Weight Loss?
How did Vitamin B12 injections come to be used for weight loss? Surprisingly, this particular notion arose from testimonials of patients who have been undergoing regular B12 injections with their doctors to treat deficiencies and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (B12 injections have been very effective in alleviating symptoms, like fatigue and malaise). They have observed a gradual loss in pounds with the treatment.
Naturally, as word spread, Vitamin B12 injections have been touted as the “next weight loss solution”. However, intensive research on B12 injections has revealed the truth about its effectiveness in weight loss.
Studies have shown that in people with Vitamin B12 deficiency, their metabolism is slow because of a lack of oxygen. When a B12 injection is given, the body starts to absorb more oxygen so that all the metabolic processes speed up.
As you can see, B12 injections do not induce weight loss directly. It primarily serves as a metabolism booster. Because your body releases more energy, you are able to become more active so that you can exercise harder and for longer periods of time. Naturally, because you burn off all the excess fats and calories with the increased physical activity, you will most definitely lose weight.
However, researchers have also discovered that this metabolism boost is only temporary. Once the body uses up all the B12, you need to get another shot. In fact, many individuals who have stopped receiving B12 injections ended up gaining back all the weight they had lost and even gained more pounds. The only way B12 injections could be effective for the long term is by combining it with a healthy diet and physical fitness program.
Should You Take B12 Injections for Weight Loss?
In reality, Vitamin B12 injections should only be given to patients with a diagnosed deficiency of this vitamin. Other indications for B12 injections include the following…
- Individuals 50 years old and above who have poor gastric acid production
- Pernicious anemia
- Megaloblastic anemia
- Stabilization of moods in people suffering from depression and anxiety attacks
- Relief of chronic and severe headaches
- Patients who have undergone stomach or bariatric surgery
- Improvement of behavior in autistic children
Because the vitamin b12 injection dosage is administered in megadoses to promote weight loss, there is an increased risk of toxicity side effects developing, such as…
- Allergic reactions = Rashes and/or hives, itchiness
- Joint pains
- Muscle cramps and weakness
- Body numbness
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Nocturia (frequent urination at night)
- Chest pain or tightness accompanied by palpitations and tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
- Difficulty in swallowing
If despite all of these warnings you are still decided to try B12 injections to lose weight, always consult with your doctor first. In most cases, if you want to lose weight, you only need to have a healthy, balanced diet and exercise more. If your doctor suspects you have a B12 deficiency, he or she will order blood tests to determine the necessity for shots. In addition, majority of weight loss clinics strongly advise their patients to go to them directly for injections. The reason for this is that they need to monitor the dosage to prevent the development of toxic side effects.
The Side Effects To B12 Vitamins Require Caution
When it comes to losing those excess pounds, you will need medical supervision for B12 injection for weight loss.