B12 Shots - Energy and Beyond

I love B12 injections.  For myself and my patients, B12 injections offer that shot of energy that I crave after a long week and so much more!    They're inexpensive, effective and that's why it's easy to love them!  Read on to find out more about vitamin B12 injections.  
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The Basics 
There are four different forms of vitamin B12 - cyanocobalamin, methylcobalamin, hydroxocobalamin and adenosylcobalamin.1  The latter two are converted into methylcobalamin which is a biologically active form, ready for your cells to use once absorbed by the small intestines.1  

Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic form of vitamin B12 commonly found in supplements and vitamin B12 fortified foods due to its stability.1  The drawback?  It relies on healthy large intestinal cells to be converted into methylcobalamin.1

Are you deficient?  
Vitamin B12 is key to your health and deficiencies can exhibit in several ways.  ​

Certain populations are also at a higher risk for being vitamin B12 deficient - pregnant women2, women on oral contraceptives3, the elderly4, vegetarians1, individuals with gastrointestinal disorders1.

Signs You’re Vitamin B12 Deficient
A number of signs and symptoms suggest a vitamin B12 deficiency.  Routine blood work from your Naturopathic Physician or Primary physician can confirm a vitamin B12 deficiency.  

Fatigue, frequent infections, anemia and nerve pain (shooting pain, numbness, tingling sensations) all suggest a potential vitamin B12 deficiency.1  Vitamin B12 also affects your overall health by playing a key role in fat & cholesterol metabolism, antioxidant activity, and DNA synthesis.1  

Why Vitamin B12 Supplementation Might Not be Enough?  
Relying on B12 supplements or dietary sources of B12 may not be enough to alleviate symptoms of B12 deficiency.  Maximal vitamin B12 absorption relies heavily on a healthy gut.1​

Symptoms like bloating, constipation and eczema reflect damage to the gut that decreases the absorption of nutrients, including vitamin B12.

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Signs Your Gut Health can be Improved 
Bloating & Gas
Constipation or diarrhea 
Skin issues such as eczema 
Chronic headaches
Joint Pain or Stiffness
Seasonal allergies  

​Improving gut health, resolving these common concerns, is key to improving B12 absorption and status.  And here’s why.  

Vitamin B12 is absorbed in the ileum or final portion of the small intestines and relies on several ‘taxis’ or proteins to bring it there.  Proper chewing to secrete saliva, adequate levels of stomach acid & digestive enzymes and proper small intestinal pH all play a role in the functioning of these ‘taxis’ or proteins.4   

Regardless of how much B12 you’re supplementing or getting from your diet, you can be vitamin B12 deficient if you’re lacking ‘taxis’ or proteins to transport it to its final destination.4​

To maximize vitamin B12 absorption, healing the gut and to address digestion is key.  We want to 1) promote proper chewing, 2) resolve any heartburn where stomach acid is often low and 3) ensure proper liver and pancreatic release of digestive enzymes.  

B12 Injections are Safe for Just About Everyone
In my own practice, vitamin B12 is injected on its own or with other vitamins & minerals.  By combining vitamins & minerals, they work synergistically to relieve complex health conditions commonly linked to multiple deficiencies.  

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Different Strengths of Vitamin B12 
Mini Dose - for healthy individuals who want a boost of energy
Mega Dose - for those with more serious or specific B12 deficiency symptoms such as nerve pain.

Illnesses that May Benefit from Vitamin & Mineral Cocktails
Hormone imbalances2
Anxiety and Depression5
Fibromyalgia
Chronic fatigue1
Autism5
Infections1

Newer research also shows vitamin B12 could prevent protein misfolding and aggregation, which has been implicated as the cause of more than 20 disease, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.6    

Can my body handle all the Vitamin B12 in an injection?  Will it go to waste?
Vitamin B12 can be stored in the liver for long periods of time, even years.4  Whatever your body doesn’t immediately use goes into this reserve of B12.  Building up this reserve protects the body, prevents disease and ensures that the body can function at its best, even during times of stress. 

Vitamin B12 injections can be a great way to build up vitamin B12 stores, along with dietary adjustments.  

Will I feel a benefit from just one vitamin B12 injection?  
Most people feel an energy boost from just one injection but it all depends on how deficient you are, and what symptoms you’re experiencing, if any. 

I’m scared of needles.  Does it hurt?
Most patients are surprised to see how small the needle is and just how fast & painless it is to get an injection. 
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The needle is quickly injected into your deltoids (shoulder muscle) or gluts (butt muscle).  These muscles are large enough for the needles to enter pain-free and for the vitamins and minerals to travel to the rest of the body where the nutrients are needed.  

There’s also always the option of looking away during the injection so you never even see it!  

How a Naturopathic Doctor Can Help 
A Naturopathic Doctor assesses your nutrient status with blood work, physical examination and proper investigation of your signs & symptoms.  Your treatment program is guided by this assessment as well as your goals & priorities.  

The goal is to establish the internal and external conditions necessary for health, future and present.   
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More Questions?  
Ask about our other injections or to book in for a complimentary Meet and Greet with Dr. Olisa Mak. 

Call 604-559-8816 or go to inspirit.janeapp.com to book today.  


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