Vitamin B-12 is required for proper DNA synthesis, brain functioning and red blood cell formation. While some weight-loss programs offer vitamin B-12 injections as a way to help individuals lose weight or boost metabolism, there is no solid evidence that vitamin B-12 shots have these effects. If you are concerned about your vitamin B-12 intake or your weight, call your doctor.
Vitamin B-12 Injections
Since only a small percentage of vitamin B-12 is absorbed when taken orally, vitamin B-12 injections are often used when large amounts of vitamin B-12 are needed. Individuals with pernicious anemia or a vitamin B-12 deficiency often require vitamin B-12 injections. Use of vitamin B-12 injections for these or any other purpose, including weight loss, should only take place under the care of a doctor.
Warning
People who do opt to get a vitamin B-12 injection should explore all potential drug interactions thoroughly before doing so. Vitamin B-12 may negatively interact with proton pump inhibitors, H2 receptor antagonists, chlorampehnicol or metformin. It also may interact negatively with other medications or supplements. To prevent a drug interaction, always report all of your current medications and supplements to your doctor before getting a vitamin B-12 injection.
Other Weight-Loss Options
While the scientific evidence for using vitamin B-12 as a weight loss technique is lacking, many other weight-loss methods do have scientific evidence to support them. Consuming fewer calories than your body burns each day will result in weight loss. This can be done by either limiting the amount of calories you eat, or by increasing your physical activity level to burn more calories. Certain medications may also prove effective at helping you lose weight, including phentermine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine, orlistat, bupropion, topiramate, zonisamide or metformin. However, these prescription medications are typically only prescribed for obese individuals and may cause unpleasant side effects. Always discuss all of your options with a doctor to determine the weight-loss approach most appropriate for your situation.
Considerations
Vitamin B-12 is one of the few vitamins that does not have a tolerable upper intake level. This means that getting a large amount of this vitamin is unlikely to cause adverse side effects or harm. Because of this, some individuals opt to try the injections despite not having the scientific evidence to support its use as a weight-loss method. Keep in mind, however, that vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin. If you already have an appropriate amount of vitamin B-12 in your body, excess amounts of the vitamin will be excreted through urination and not have an effect on your body.
