Vitamin b12 (Cobalamin) is one of the water soluble vitamins and is produced naturally by gut bacteria which feed on soil cobalt. The vitamin plays vital roles in the body including formation of red blood cells, tissue growth, and lowering Homo-cysteine. Vitamin B12 deficiency can occur as a result of several factors including:
- Mal-absorption of the vitamin (due to lack of intrinsic factor)
- Toxins destroying the vitamin e.g. cyanide from cigarette
- Parasites competing for the vitamin
A vitamin B12 injection is a common treatment for those experiencing a deficiency of the vitamin. The use of this injection is trusted to result in rapid recovery of the patient which has made it more common. Recently, people have been taking the injections for various reasons. Despite a number of side effects such as headaches, nausea and mild diarrhea, Vitamin B12 injections have a variety of benefits to different individuals and these include:
Availability in the body
Intrinsic factor is a substance in the body required for the absorption of enough vitamin B12. Without it, absorption is poor and a deficiency of the vitamin would result. Vitamin B12 injections avail the vitamin in the body immediately since the injection go directly in to the blood stream and bypass absorption barriers. This would be even more beneficial after undergoing intestinal surgery.
Treating Megaloblastic and Pernicious Anemia
Absence of intrinsic factor which results in the Mal-absorption of vitamin B12 can cause the two types of anemia. As a result, the patient may experience balancing difficulties, weight loss, paleness and confusion among other symptoms. The use of vitamin B12 injections would help in the treatment of the two types of anemia.
Treatment of Fatigue Syndrome
A good number of studies and research have shown that B12 injections can alleviate fatigue caused by the deficiency of the vitamin. Regular injections taken over several weeks have also been shown to alleviate CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).
More research are being conducted to determine the significance of the injection of the vitamin in a number of conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, high cholesterol and heart disease among others.
Dosage of the injections will vary from one individual to another depending on age and degree of deficiency. These usually starts from the daily dosage containing several thousand micrograms which will be reduced in the following weeks and months as the vitamin level goes back to normal.