Weight loss is a big deal whether you want to become healthier or just look better. And there are tons of weight loss “secrets” out there – from a myriad of diets to out-of-this-world supplements. But one weight loss tip that circulates the internet seems safe and effective, the vitamin B-12 injections.
But to ensure that you are not wasting your money at the very least, or endangering your body at worst, let’s examine the efficacy of vitamin B-12 injections for weight loss.
What Does Vitamin B-12 Do?
In general, vitamin C strengthens immunity, and vitamin A improves eyesight. But what does vitamin B-12 do?
There are a lot of essential functions that vitamin B-12 does to the body. Here’s a list of its primary functions:
- Helps in the production of red blood cells
- Prevents anemia
- Reduces risk of complications during pregnancy
- Combats macular degeneration (eye disease)
- Maintains the health of neurons
- Decreases homocysteine which is linked to heart disease
- Improves mood and fights depression
- Encourages bone health
- Contributes to healthy hair, skin, and nails
- Boosts energy
As you can see, vitamin B-12, also known as cobalamin, plays many roles in several aspects of overall health. But at its core, vitamin B-12 helps form DNA, which affects the rest of the health aspects.
Do Vitamin B-12 Injections Contribute to Weight Loss?
Vitamin B-12 injections are nothing but a hefty dose of vitamin B-12 injected into the body. The recommended amount of the vitamin for daily consumption is about 2.4 micrograms. But a vitamin B-12 injection contains about 1000 micrograms.
As far as weight loss goes, vitamin B-12 injections (or vitamin B-12 in general) have no significant effect, according to limited scientific studies. The studies surrounding the effects of vitamin B-12 injections with regards to weight loss remain inconclusive.
It is not scientifically proven that vitamin B-12 can reduce fat as other injectables do. However, there are tiny links between vitamin B-12 injections and weight loss.
Lack of Vitamin B-12 Leads to Weight Gain… Somehow
According to observational studies, people suffering from obesity or are overweight tend to have lower vitamin B-12 levels in their systems. Additionally, people who regularly take vitamin B-12 injections or supplements gain fewer pounds in ten years than those who do not take the vitamin.
But these statistics are the results of observational studies. There is yet no conclusive study that shows the direct connection between vitamin B-12 injections and weight loss.
Vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause weight gain. But the weight gain is not a direct result of the deficiency but rather an indirect result.
Vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause weight gain. But the weight gain is not a direct result of the deficiency but rather an indirect result.
One of the effects of vitamin B-12 deficiency is lethargy or the lack of energy. And if you lack vitamin B-12 in your system and don’t have the energy for movement, you can’t burn fat. Therefore, you accumulate fat.
Lack of Vitamin B-12 Leads to Weight Loss… Also
Additionally, vitamin B-12 deficiency tends to affect the appetite of some people. These people tend to lose weight when they have lower levels of vitamin B-12 in their systems.
Vitamin B-12 deficiency either indirectly makes people lose weight or gain weight. Just as vitamin B-12 deficiency causes unpredictable results, too much of it can also cause unknown results.
What Other Studies Say
Aside from observational studies in humans, some animal studies have something to say about vitamin B-12 and its correlation with weight loss.
Just like in humans, vitamin B-12 deficiency in animals is also conducive to weight gain. Additionally, a study that administered vitamin B-12 to rats with a high-fat diet showed that the rats did not gain as much weight as their counterparts who didn’t receive the vitamin.
But as far as humans go, high-quality studies are still needed to confirm if vitamin B-12 injections can actually contribute to weight gain.
What does all this data say? There is very little evidence that vitamin B-12 affects people’s weight, be it loss or gain. There is very little evidence that vitamin B-12 injections or supplements will directly lead to weight loss.
Do I Need Vitamin B-12 Injections?
Even though there is no substantial evidence that suggests vitamin B-12 injections affect weight, there are still cases where vitamin B-12 injections are necessary. The necessities for vitamin B-12 injections may or may not have to do with weight.
Vegetarians or vegans may need vitamin B-12 injections or supplements. Most vitamin B-12 we consume comes from animal meat. And if animal meat is not part of your diet, you need vitamin B-12 injections or supplements.
You may also need vitamin B-12 injections or supplements if you’re experiencing symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency. The symptoms are:
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Mouth ulcers
- Pale yellow skin
- Disturbed vision
- Fatigue
- Breathlessness
- Palpitations
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Headaches
- A decline in mental abilities
- Irritability
It is always best to consult an expert whether you need vitamin B-12 injections or supplements. The symptoms may be indicative of another problem that vitamin B-12 injections can’t treat.
Stick to the Basics of Weight Loss
Taking vitamin B-12 injections may be necessary if you lack vitamin B-12 in your system. But if you have enough of it, there is no clear indication that the vitamin helps in weight loss. It’s best to speak with a physician if you are experiencing weight gain and don’t know why.
And if you just want to trim the stubborn fat from your waist, resist the urge to follow any quick and easy weight loss tips you find on the internet. Stick to the basics. Take care of your body – eat right, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly.
And if there are still fat cells that just won’t go away, treatments proven effective such as liposuction or EMSCULPT NEO body sculpting can help you.
Talk to Us About Your Weight Loss Goals
Vitamin B-12 injections may be useless against weight loss, but there are tons of other options for you. Talk to us at Bella Medspa about your weight loss goals. You can gain extraordinary insight with our complimentary consultation backed by more than 30 years of experience.
