How does Vitamin B12 deficiency occur? What are my options if I need B12 supplementation? What will happen to me? These are the questions over 99 % of individuals with B12 deficiency ask themselves. This blog is designed to answer these and other questions concerning vitamin B12, its’ deficiency and its’ supplementation. With instructions concerning lifestyle and dietary changes, as well as information from scientific studies about this specific physiological problem, we hope you will feel 100% well again.  

The human physiology of vitamin B12 is very complicated, and due to this is prone to problems leading to vitamin B12 deficiency. Unlike most nutrients, absorption of vitamin B12 actually begins in the mouth where small amounts of unbound crystalline B12 can be absorbed through the mucosa membrane. In the stomach a specific gastric enzyme is needed to separate B12 from the food ingested, and a protein must bind with it for it to be absorbed and processed through the body. Proper absorption of vitamin B12 requires an intact and functioning stomach, exocrine pancreas, intrinsic factor, and small bowel. Problems with any one of these organs makes a vitamin B12 deficiency possible and likely.

However, there can be some genetic aspects in the problems associated with malabsorption, and due to the complexity of B12 assimilation in the body, geriatric patients, many of whom are hypo-acidic due to reduced GI tract cell function, have an increased risk of B12 deficiency. For these individuals supplementation becomes a necessary step, otherwise their life quality and life expectancy can plummet.

B12 supplements come in a few forms, most commonly though in an ingestible pill, sublingual pill or spray and the injection. With malabsorption in the GI tract, swallowing vitamin pills equals to flushing them down the toilet, as around 80%-90% of hard vitamins will not get absorbed. The sublingual B12 becomes the next possible step in supplementation; however this too is a fairly poor choice. Although researchers are not fully sure why this occurs, in most cases of sublingual use, only around 5% of the vitamin is absorbed by the body. The only truly viable choice in this case is to begin B12 injections, which unfortunately are not the most pleasant of experiences, and can be expensive.

The option of B12 patch was designed specifically for these sorts of situations, when the oral supplementation is no longer an option and a scheduled appointment for shots is not something you’re looking forward to. By avoiding the GI tract completely, in the same way that the injection does, the patch is able to deliver the required B12 to the system, without needing to involve all the complex mechanisms involved in B12 absorption. A study has shown that it is 95% more effective than the sublingual option, and a number of doctors are happy to report that it is as effective for their patients as the injection could have/had been. This patch is also a great option in case of B12 deficiency associated with autism, as the patch is not intrusive and easily removable. More information about autism and B12 will be available in later posts.

So if you are in need of B12 supplementation, or know someone who is struggling with the limited medical help available for their condition, or just want that extra energy kick that B12 delivers, consider the B12 Patch. Of course always consult your doctor before beginning any lifestyle changes or new regiments, but if and when you need a boost of B12, the patch is a greatly viable option. 

VITAMIN B12 RDA

This presents a serious problem for vegetarians and vegans alike as they avoid eating animal products where vitamin B12 is found.  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.  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.

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.

General Overview of Vitamin B12 Injections

Vitamin B12 comes as a solution that can be injected into a muscle or just under the skin. Vitamin B12 is often administered by injection to treat or prevent deficiencies from numerous causes. Vitamin B12 is often administered several times as a test. This is in order to see how well the body undergoes the absorption of vitamin B12. Since vitamin B-12 can be injected straight into the blood stream, it can be used effectively to supply the vitamin in patients who are unable to absorb it through the intestine. In most cases the initial treatment is one injection a day for the first 6 to 7 days. Then, depending upon the absorption rate and the symptoms of the body, the frequency and dosage is increased or reduced accordingly.

Vitamin B12 Injections And Weight Loss

Vitamin B12 has been found to help weight loss by stimulating the thyroid gland. Also, vitamin B12 might sometimes reduce water retention in the body. Therefore, vitamin B12 is often used in weight reducing programs. Many weight loss clinics are providing their clients with vitamin B12 supplementation to increase energy levels, support thyroid function, and to enhance the over-all well being of the entire body.