Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an essential role in many bodily functions, such as DNA production, red blood cell formation, nerve function, and metabolism. Vitamin B-12 is naturally found in animal products, such as meat, eggs, fish, and dairy, and some fortified foods, such as cereals and nutritional yeast.
Most people get enough vitamin B-12 from their diet, but some people may have trouble absorbing it from food due to various reasons, such as:
- Having a condition that affects the stomach or intestines, such as autoimmune atrophic gastritis, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or pernicious anemia.
- Having had surgery that removed part of the stomach or small intestine, such as gastric bypass.
- Following a vegetarian or vegan diet that excludes animal products.
- Being older than 50, as the production of stomach acid and intrinsic factor (a protein that helps absorb vitamin B-12) declines with age.
- A vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause various symptoms, such as:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Pale skin
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
- Difficulty thinking and remembering
- Mood changes
- Dementia
- Infertility
- A sore tongue
To treat or prevent a vitamin B-12 deficiency, some people may need to take vitamin B-12 supplements, either orally or by injection. Vitamin B-12 shots are injections that contain a synthetic form of vitamin B-12, called cyanocobalamin, that can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream without going through the digestive system. Vitamin B-12 shots are only available by prescription and are usually given by a doctor or nurse in a clinic or hospital.
What are the benefits and risks of B-12 vitamin shots?
Vitamin B-12 shots can help restore normal levels of vitamin B-12 in people who have a deficiency and improve their symptoms. Some of the benefits of vitamin B-12 shots are:
- They can correct anemia and prevent nerve damage caused by low vitamin B-12 levels12.
- They can improve energy levels, mood, and cognitive function in people who have a deficiency.
- They can prevent birth defects and complications in pregnant women who have a deficiency.
- They can bypass the problems of malabsorption or low stomach acid that may affect oral supplements.
- They can cause pain, swelling, redness, or infection at the injection site.
- They can cause allergic reactions, such as itching, hives, or anaphylaxis, in some people who are sensitive to cyanocobalamin or other ingredients in the shots.
- They can interact with certain medications, such as antibiotics, anticonvulsants, or metformin, and affect their effectiveness or increase their side effects.
- They can mask a folate deficiency, which can also cause anemia and neurological problems, and delay its diagnosis and treatment.
- They can be expensive, inconvenient, and require frequent visits to a health-care provider.
Are there any alternatives to B-12 vitamin shots?
Vitamin B-12 shots are not the only option for people who need to supplement their vitamin B-12 intake. Depending on the cause and severity of the deficiency, the individual’s preferences, and the doctor’s recommendations, some alternatives to vitamin B-12 shots are:
- Oral supplements: These are pills, capsules, or liquids that contain vitamin B-12 and can be taken by mouth. They are usually cheaper and more convenient than shots, but they may not work as well for people who have trouble absorbing vitamin B-12 from the digestive system.
- Sublingual supplements: These are lozenges, tablets, or sprays that contain vitamin B-12 and can be placed under the tongue or sprayed into the mouth. They are supposed to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes, bypassing the digestive system. However, there is not enough evidence to support their superiority over oral supplements.
- Nasal spray: This is a prescription product that contains vitamin B-12 and can be sprayed into the nose. It is also supposed to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the nasal membranes, bypassing the digestive system. It may be more effective than oral supplements, but less effective than shots, for some people.
- Dietary changes: For people who have a mild deficiency or are at risk of developing one due to their diet, increasing the intake of vitamin B-12-rich foods or fortified foods may be enough to prevent or correct the problem. However, this may not be feasible or sufficient for people who have a severe deficiency or a medical condition that affects their absorption.