|  | Diet Nutrition | Vitamins

B12 Shots to Lose Weight

Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin that helps to maintain healthy nerve cells, red blood cells, and it is the necessary material in the making of DNA, the genetic material in cells. Vitamin B-12 can be obtained by eating fish, shellfish, meat, and dairy products. Vitamin B-12 shots are thought to help enhance weight loss.

  1. Weight Loss

    • Before starting any diet, consult your primary care physician. Your physician may recommend a regimen of B-12 shots to stimulate weight loss. Vitamin B-12 is thought to promote weight loss by stimulating the thyroid gland. The vitamin helps to accelerate metabolism and decrease the body's level of water retention. A vitamin B-12 injection is given directly into the muscle for better absorption into the body. The most common affect is a boost in energy giving an individual the ability to move and complete the necessary exercise in order to increase weight loss.

    Effectiveness

    • According to MayoClinic.com, there is no medical evidence to support that vitamin B-12 shots help to promote weight loss. A daily dose of B-12 can be obtained during a course of a day by eating one chicken breast, one hard-boiled egg, one cup of plain low-fat yogurt, or a cup of raisin bran cereal with a cup of milk.

      Depending on your physician's recommendation, a B-12 injection can be given once a month, every two weeks or once a week. The cost of the shot ranges from $25- $65 per injection. Those that take vitamin B-12 injections are more likely to be conscious of their health, maintain a well-balanced diet, and participate in regular exercise to promote weight loss.

    Deficiency

    • Vitamin B-12 stores naturally in the body for years in the intestinal tract. Doctors often use B-12 to help those individuals with deficiencies and those with histories of chronic fatigue. The natural inability of the body to absorb B-12 is called pernicious anemia. Someone developing a nutritional deficiency from having a lack of vitamin B-12 in the body is rare. Vegans and vegetarians often diagnosed with B-12 deficiency and they should take supplements or receive B-12 injections.

    Side Effects

    • Side effects from taking vitamin B-12 shots can range from mild to more serious effects. Most have no side effects from the shot, but some may experience redness or a warm sensation at the injection site, mild diarrhea, an upset stomach, nausea, and joint pain. Individuals that experience rapid heart rate, palpitations, excessive coughing or wheezing, and chest pain should consult their physician immediately.

Vitamins - Related Articles