Is a B12 shot worth it?
“But unless you have a B12 deficiency, there’s really no role for it,” Sukol says of B12 shots and supplements. Put simply, more isn’t better. And even if you’re low on B12, there’s no evidence injections of it will help you lose weight, says Dr.
Do you feel the effects of a B12 shot immediately?
B12 injections work quickly; they are the most effective way for your body to absorb Vitamin B12. Within 48 to 72 hours, your body will begin to make new red blood cells. For mild deficiencies, you may need two to three injections over several weeks to notice peak impact.
How long should a B12 shot last?
In general, the effects of vitamin B12 injections can last about one week; however, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider to determine how you should administer the injections.
Is there an alternative to vitamin B12 injections?
Vitamin B12 is also available as a prescription medication in a gel formulation applied intranasally, a product marketed as an alternative to vitamin B12 injections that some patients might prefer [21].
Can a vitamin B12 supplement lower homocysteine levels?
Evidence supports a role for folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements in lowering homocysteine levels, but results from several large prospective studies have not shown that these supplements decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease [51,65-70].
How is vitamin B12 released from the body?
Introduction. Vitamin B12, bound to protein in food, is released by the activity of hydrochloric acid and gastric protease in the stomach [ 5 ]. When synthetic vitamin B12 is added to fortified foods and dietary supplements, it is already in free form and, thus, does not require this separation step.
Can you take vitamin B12 as an oral supplement?
In addition to oral dietary supplements, vitamin B12 is available in sublingual preparations as tablets or lozenges. These preparations are frequently marketed as having superior bioavailability, although evidence suggests no difference in efficacy between oral and sublingual forms [19,20].