VITAMIN B12 RDA

Watch for these signs of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Fatigue
Weakness
Weight loss

Constipation
Infertility
Vision problems
Loss of hearing and tinnitus

Alcoholism
Impotence
Incontinence
Hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation
(dark and light patches in the skin)
Neuralgia, neuritis and bursitis
Anemia, including pernicious anemia
Spinal cord degeneration
Psoriasis and other skin problems
Brain degeneration
Insomnia
Any emotional disorder up to and including insanity

Poor growth/failure to thrive in infants
Inflamed tongue
Premature grey hair
Disturbed carbohydrate metabolism
Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
Irrational or chronic anger
Violent behavior
Lack of balance/abnormal gait
Combat fatigue

Vitamin B12 is found almost predominately in animal foods such as kidney, meat, liver, shellfish, fish, milk, and eggs. The source of Vitamin B12 is bacteria found in nature. Bacteria is the only creature able to produce Vitamin B12. Bacteria produce Vitamin B12 in the colon of humans and animals.
However not much vitamin B12 is absorbed across the wall of the colon so therefore it is essential that humans get B12 from animal foods. This presents a serious problem for vegetarians and vegans alike as they avoid eating animal products where vitamin B12 is found. Eggs are not a good source of B12 for vegetarians as they contain substances that block absorption of B12. Milk is a good source of B12 for vegetarians. Most vegetarians and vegans are recommended to take routine vitamin b12 supplementation. Some people can go longer on a vegatarian diet than others before they develop b12 deficiency.

Vitamin B12 is one of the very most important nutrients we get from animal foods.
Vitamin B12 is a compound that is red in color because of the presence of cobalt.
Absorption of Vitamin B12 is a complex process which can be problematic for many.
For it to be absorbed effectively, B12 attaches to a protein known as intrinsic factor which is secreted in the stomach. Vitamin B12 binds with intrinsic factor and travels through to the small intestines.
Once in the bloodstream, B12 binds to transport proteins. Enzymes release B12 from the protein complex and convert it to two forms- methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin. Deficiency in the enzymes can stop this conversion. Because there are so many potential blocks in the absorption process many people develop Vitamin B12 deficiencies even though they get plenty of Vitamin B12 in their diet.

A vitamin b12 injection (cyanocobalamin) is a synthetic form of vitamin b12.  The primary reason for getting a b12 injection is to treat b12 deficiency.  For many years b12 injections have also been given for patients suffering from fatigue and low energy.  The most common dosage is a 1000 microgram (mcg) b12 injection once a week.  There are no upper limit dosages to vitamin b12 and there are no reported side effects to b12 overdose.

B12 Shot Instructions

1. Read the directions first which is essential in preparing for b12 shots.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly before giving a b12 shot.
3. Choose a spot for the b12 shot in the muscular area of the body.
4. Gently nip up the skin and put the needle into your skin at a 45° angle.
5. After you inject the needle completely you can let go of the skin.
6. Inject the b12 by gently pushing down the plunger.
7. After you have given the b12 shot remove the needle and syringe.
8. Press an alcohol swab on the area where the b12 shot was given.

B12 shots are being talked about now all over the news.  Everyone has known about the benefits of b12 shots for years.  The b12 shot story started to heat up with the Roger Clemens case.  Roger Clemens admitted to taking B12 shots.   Athletes are not the only people who take b12 shots.  All kinds of people have been getting b12 injections for years.  Now celebrities are catching up too!  Even Madonna is getting and giving out B12 shots.   B12 shots give a boost of energy that people can really feel.   The irony though is that there is a less painful and more convenient b12 product on the market that gives the same energy boost through a small patch.  The B12 Patch is comparable to a 1000 mcg b12 injection.  The B12 patch is safe and very easy to use.  If only Justin Timberlake knew about it, he would have certainly preferred getting stuck with a patch rather than getting a shot in his buttocks.  

More than 70% of people over the age of 50 are thought to suffer from some form of vitamin b12 deficiency.  When this occurs your body is being deprived of an essential vitamin.  B12 is needed in order for your body to make red blood cells.  Therefore when your body does not have enough vitamin b12 it can lead to anemia. Red blood cells are critical as they carry oxygen through the body.  A person with vitamin b12 deficiency may feel very lethargic, weak, and tired.  There are different methods for a person to receive vitamin b12 such as through vitamin b12 injections or using vitamin b12 patch.  The b12 patch is very convenient for people rather than having to get monthly b12 shots all the time.  With the B12 patch they can avoid all the hassles associated with getting b12 shots. 

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 is the only vitamin that is not known to have toxic effects even when taken in large doses. Patients with anemia have been given 1,000 mcg monthly injections to treat vitamin B12 deficiency without any side effects. However, for healthy individuals, large doses of vitamin B12 are not recommended. Healthy adults get enough of this vitamin from a balanced diet. Healthy adults are recommended to take one multivitamin daily that contains vitamin B12. Those at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency include the elderly and vegetarians. The elderly are at risk for atrophic gastritis, and vegetarians often need supplementation because vitamin B12 is found only in foods from animal products. A strict vegetarian diet which prohibits consumption of animal products can result in vitamin B12 deficiency.

Additional Supplementation

Patients with anemia cannot absorb vitamin B12 from food or oral supplements. Therefore, vitamin B12 injections are usually required to correct anemia and to prevent irreversible neurological damage. Patients who have had surgical removal of the stomach lack intrinsic factor which is produced in the stomach, so they cannot absorb vitamin B12 from food or supplements. Patients with resection of the small bowel may not be able to absorb vitamin B12 from food and supplements. Patients with a condition of food allergy to gluten that leads to atrophy of the small bowel lining may also not be able to absorb vitamin B12 from food and supplements. Also, some medications affect the absorption of vitamin B12 in the body. For example, medication used to    control blood glucose levels with type II diabetes, treatment used to lower blood cholesterol levels, and also some medications used to control unexplained diarrhea have been known to inhibit the absorption of vitamin B12 from food.