Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that’s crucial for many vital metabolic and hormonal functions — including the production of digestive enzymes and carrying important nutrients into and out of cells. Due to how it helps convert and synthesize many other compounds within the body, it’s needed for well over 100 daily functions. Some of the roles that are attributed to vitamin B12 include:
• Forming red blood cells
• Playing a role in DNA/RNA synthesis
• Acting as a cofactor for methionine synthase (helping with methylation or the conversion of homocysteine to methionine, which protects cardiovascular health and more)
• Facilitating metabolic conversion of protein and fats
• Carrying out neurotransmitter functions and helping with production of hormones
• Helping convert amino acids and make creatine
• Producing myelin sheath (the coating of nerves)
• Helping with synthesis of hemoglobin
• Playing a role in fetal development during pregnancy
Vitamin B-12 Injections
• Vitamin B12 injections (or shots) are used to overcome vitamin B12 deficiency, which is common especially among the elderly, those with intestinal damage or disorders, people with pernicious anemia, and vegetarians/vegans.
• The benefits of vitamin B12 injections include treating or preventing symptoms, such as fatigue, heart problems, neurological damage, mood changes, muscle weakness and hormone imbalances.
• The best way to get enough vitamin B12 is through a healthy diet whenever possible, such as from consuming grass-fed beef, poultry or wild-caught fish.
• Risks of taking vitamin B12 injections include taking unnecessarily high amounts (which aren’t always absorbed properly anyway) and experiencing interactions with other medications.
