Maybe you’ve heard about the weight loss clinics that say you need high doses of vitamin B-12 to lose weight. Do you need to take supplements, and are the shots truly of value?
The reason why your body needs vitamin B-12 is to produce new red blood cells, to maintain healthy nerve function, and to fight anemia. It is also related to synthesis of DNA. While weight loss clinics claim to have marvelous results from delivering B-12 shots and supplements, there is no hard scientific evidence to back this up. If you think your might be B-12 deficient, ask your doctor for a test; most people have stored enough B-12 to last them for years. Getting a vitamin B-12 shot is not going to enhance your metabolic rate or provide extra energy unless you were truly deficient or anemic, both of which can be proven with a test. Consult a licensed physician before you get on a B-12 shot or supplement regimen, especially if you already take medications–sometimes vitamin B-12 can reduce the effectiveness of certain prescription drugs. Most people get plenty of vitamin B-12 if they regularly eat animal products. You don’t need to worry at all if you eat meat, eggs, fortified products, dairy products, or shellfish. Vegans—people who do not eat any animals products at all—are particularly susceptible to vitamin B-12 deficiency. Fortified cereals also provide vitamin B-12, making them a good source for vegans. Most people need between 2.6-2.8 micrograms of vitamin B-12 a day to be healthy. You will get enough vitamin B-12 for the day if you eat a simple breakfast meal of a cup of milk and a bowl of fortified cereal. If you have a deficiency, you probably have a problem absorbing B-12 or using the B-12 that your body has already stored. Your intestines may not be absorbing B-12 or your body might not be releasing B-12 that you’ve absorbed and stored. In most cases, people store vitamin B-12 for years, meaning deficiency is unusual.
