You may have heard that B12 shots can make you loseweight. Is this just another fad to get people to buy into or can vitamin B12
really help you shed the pounds?
Let's delve in and take a deeper look.
What is Vitamin B12 ?
Vitamin B12 is part of the vitamin B complex family
and is also known as cyanocobalamin. It can work on its own or with other
members of the vitamin B family to benefit our body's health.
Vitamin B12 is a vital ingredient needed by the body for
performing various tasks. Vitamin B12 is responsible for building DNA as well
as for producing red blood corpuscles. It is a major source of nutrients,
required for healthy functioning of the body. It is rightly called 'energy
vitamin' since, it provides a real energy boost for the body. It is an instant
remedy for fatigue, as it accelerates the rate of metabolism. Vitamin B12
injections are apparently useful in reducing weight.
Vitamin B12 is very important to our health for a number of
reasons. It is needed to utilise proteins. It enables the transportation of
oxygen through the body, which is vital for energy.
B12 can also play a role in the synthesis of the human body's
DNA. It also enables the body to get rid of toxins such as tobacco smoke.
B12 is available as supplement pills, mouth sprays and as
injections or shots. The shots are normally prescribed to people who have a B12
deficiency or have chronic conditions such as pernicious anaemia.
This condition is caused by the body's inability to
synthesise a protein called intrinsic factor, which is needed for the
absorption of vitamin B12 from foods.
Vitamin B12 Injections for Weight Loss
The main sources of vitamin B12 are meat, poultry, milk, eggs and fish. Naturally, those who follow a strict vegetarian diet have to rely on vitamin supplements. There are several people who opt for vitamin B12 injections as a cure for obesity. Vitamin B12 shots are directly injected into the muscles for better absorption. People who choose them, often have a history of chronic fatigue syndrome or a vitamin B12 deficiency. There are many reasons why vitamin B12 works for them.
How Vitamin B12 Injections Help to Reduce Weight
These injections do not reduce weight directly by themselves. There are several factors which contribute to weight loss along with vitamin B12. People who opt for vitamin B12 shots are likely to be on a vegetarian diet with an extra consciousness about their weight. Hence, there is more probability that these people also watch their diet and follow a strict exercise regimen. Vitamin B12 simply speeds up their metabolism and provides them with an unlimited supply of energy. This added vigor helps them to exercise for a long time, on a regular basis, without getting tired. It also motivates them to follow their diet more religiously. All this collectively results in weight loss.
Effectiveness
As mentioned before, it is unlikely that vitamin B12 injections induce weight loss by themselves. It only replenishes the supply of vitamin B12 in the body. This vitamin B12 can be easily gained from your diet itself. The basic mechanism for reducing weight remains the same. Vitamin B12 rich diet acts as a metabolism booster, allowing more calories to be burned. The more the calories burnt, the less is the storage of fat. This ultimately results in weight loss. Vitamin B12 injections do not come cheap, you need to shell around $65 for a single shot, which is a pretty expensive affair. Besides, you may have to pay around $200 towards initial consultation. The fact is, you can get the same benefits by simply making little alterations to your daily diet, and that too at far lesser expense. Moreover, vitamin B12 injections are helpful to only those people who have a deficiency of vitamin B12. Although, excess vitamin B12 does not necessarily cause any harm, there is no need to take it externally, considering its high cost.
Should You Use B12 Shots For Losing Weight?
B12 shots are designed to help people with a deficiency in
vitamin B12 or who have a conditions such as pernicious anemia. Although the
vitamin is non-toxic it can interfere with absorption of other vitamins and
nutrients.
If you want to consider using these vitamin shots you should
consult your doctor first for a professional and medical opinion.
It's important to point out that raising your metabolic rate
alone will not have that much effect on your weight unless you exercise
regularly. If you think that taking B12 shots will miraculously make you lose
weight you'll be disappointed.
Apart from B12 shots for weight loss there are other
alternatives. For example, certain natural weight loss supplements including
fat burners and carb blockers can help you lose weight without the need for
painful injections.
