Vitamin Shots: B12 Methylcobalamin Injection

Benefits:

1. Red Blood Cell Formation: Vitamin B12 is necessary for the production of red blood cells. It helps in the synthesis of hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the blood. A deficiency in B12 can lead to anemia, characterized by fatigue and weakness.

2. Neurological Function: B12 is vital for maintaining the health of nerve cells and the proper functioning of the nervous system. It helps in the formation of the myelin sheath, a protective covering around nerves. B12 deficiency can lead to neurological problems, such as numbness, tingling, and memory impairment.

3. Energy Production: B12 is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It helps convert food into energy, which is essential for overall vitality and stamina.

4. DNA Synthesis: Vitamin B12 plays a role in DNA synthesis and cell division. It is crucial for the growth and repair of tissues throughout the body.

5. Mood Regulation: Some studies suggest that B12 may have a role in mood regulation and mental health. Adequate B12 levels are associated with a reduced risk of depression and cognitive decline.

6. Heart Health: Vitamin B12, in conjunction with other B vitamins like B6 and folate, helps regulate homocysteine levels in the blood. Elevated homocysteine levels are a risk factor for heart disease, and B12 can help reduce this risk.

7. Eye Health: B12 is involved in the maintenance of healthy vision and may help reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

8. Support for Vegetarians and Vegans: Vitamin B12 is primarily found in animal-based foods. Vegetarians and vegans are at risk of B12 deficiency and can benefit from supplementation or fortified foods.

9. Prevention of Pernicious Anemia: B12 is used to treat and prevent pernicious anemia, a condition where the body can't absorb enough B12 from the digestive tract.

How it works: 

Methylcobalamin, or vitamin B12, is a B-vitamin. It is found in a variety of foods such as fish, shellfish, meats, and dairy products. Although methylcobalamin and vitamin B12 are terms used interchangeably, vitamin B12 is also available as hydroxocobalamin, a less commonly prescribed drug product (see Hydroxocobalamin monograph), and methylcobalamin. Methylcobalamin is used to treat pernicious anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency, as well as to determine vitamin B12 absorption in the Schilling test. Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin found in the foods such as meat, eggs, and dairy products. Deficiency in healthy individuals is rare; the elderly, strict vegetarians (i.e., vegan), and patients with malabsorption problems are more likely to become deficient. If vitamin B12 deficiency is not treated with a vitamin B12 supplement, then anemia, intestinal problems, and irreversible nerve damage may occur.

The most chemically complex of all the vitamins, methylcobalamin is a water-soluble, organometallic compound with a trivalent cobalt ion bound inside a corrin ring which, although similar to the porphyrin ring found in heme, chlorophyll, and cytochrome, has two of the pyrrole rings directly bonded. The central metal ion is Co (cobalt). Methylcobalamin cannot be made by plants or by animals; the only type of organisms that have the enzymes required for the synthesis of methylcobalamin are bacteria and archaea. Higher plants do not concentrate methylcobalamin from the soil, making them a poor source of the substance as compared with animal tissues.