B Vitamin Shots and Weight Loss
A recent promotion by a weight loss center offered twelve vitamin B-12 and B-6 injections for $29. A $300 value equal to $25 per injection. The ad does not specify the dosage so you can’t tell what percentage of the daily recommendation for B-12 and B-6 are in each injection. The ad didn’t even have the usual before and after photos. Who doesn’t want a flat stomach seen in most weight loss ads?
The ad clearly states the injections are intended for people with B-12 deficiency related fatigue, insomnia, depression and weight gain.
B-12 and B-6 like all B vitamins are water soluble and not produced by your body. You must get sufficient B-12 from your diet. For most people this is not a problem unless your stomach does not secrete enough intrinsic factor for the absorption of the vitamin. Since B-12 is needed for red blood cell formation, a B-12 deficiency causes megaloplastic anemia.
Prolong, severe vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause brain and nervous system damage. Low B-12 levels can cause fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite and weight loss. There is no association between B-12 deficiency and weight gain. Depression can cause weight gain from eating too many high calorie foods. Treating B-12 related depression and eating a healthy diet could cause weight loss.
Recommended daily allowance (RDA) for B-12 for 14 years old and older is 2 to 3 micrograms per day. A very small amount. B-12 absorption can be reduced in older people, but eating B-12 fortified foods or taking a supplement should provide enough B-12. Your body stores several years supply of B-12 in your liver. Several months on a B-12 poor diet would not cause immediate B-12 deficiency.
A bottle of 150 1000 microgram tablets, 2 to 4 month supply, retails for less than $20. It isn’t necessary to take 2 to 3 tablets per day since you get some B-12 from your diet.
Vitamin B-12 bound to protein in foods:
- Three ounces of wild trout provides 100 percent of the RDA, farm raised trout about 60 percent.
- Three ounces of tune provides about 42 percent.
- Fortified breakfast cereals can provide up to 25 percent of the RDA.
- Vitamin B-12 and B-6 work together in your body.
For more information about vitamin B-12 or any vitamin check the National Institute of Health website.
Click here for information about vitamin B-12.
As for the ad for B-12/B-6 injections. The only way to know if you have B-12 deficiency is having your blood tested for the level of B-12. If your B-12 level is low, changing your diet or adding a supplement could be all you need. Unless you have pernicious anemia, B-12 injections are a waste of money as a weight loss solution.