When you hear “Vitamins,” you might think about all the colorful fruits and veggies, like a rainbow on your plate. They’re not just pretty—they’re packed with good stuff that keeps your body healthy and strong.
Or maybe you picture those tiny pills and chewy tablets you can find at the store. They’re like secret weapons filled with all the vitamins your body needs to stay in tip-top shape. But when it comes to vitamins like B12, you can also hear about it in the form of injections or shots.
In this article, we will dig into the concept of vitamin B12 shots and their role in naturally boosting energy levels. We’ll discuss whether this method is effective for increasing energy and its overall benefits.
What are B12 shots?
Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, is a very important nutrient that dissolves in water. It helps our bodies in many ways. One of its important jobs is to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout our bodies. B12 also helps in making DNA, which is like the instruction manual for our bodies. But its importance doesn’t stop there.
Vitamin B shots are usually given by injecting them into the muscle or deep under the skin, often in places like the upper arm or thigh. At first, you might need these shots every day or every other day to increase your B12 levels. But as your body’s B12 levels go up, you won’t need injections as often. Eventually, you might only need them every once in a while.
If you don’t have enough B12 in your body, you might feel tired a lot. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) did research and found out that B12 is really important for cells to work right. So if you don’t have enough B12, your body might not make enough red blood cells, which carry oxygen around. That can make it hard for your body to get the oxygen it needs.
How B12 Affects Energy Levels: Can It Boost Your Energy Levels Naturally?
People often ask, “Does vitamin B12 give you energy?” Even though B12 doesn’t directly give you energy, it gives your body what it needs to turn food into energy. Making sure you get enough B12 every day can help your body make energy, so you have the strength to do what you need to do each day.
B12 injections are seen as the best way to boost B12 levels in the body. They’re often suggested for people who have trouble absorbing B12 or have had stomach surgery. That’s because injections let B12 go straight into the bloodstream, avoiding the digestive system.
Do Older Adults Require Higher Levels of Vitamin B-12?
As people get older, especially in old age, they are more likely to have a lack of vitamin B12. This happens mainly because their stomachs make less acid, which makes it harder for their bodies to take in vitamin B12.
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that more than “3 percent of adults who are 50 and older” have very low levels of vitamin B12. Also, the survey shows that as many as 20 percent of older adults might have levels of vitamin B12 that are almost too low.
Top Sources Where You Can Get Vitamin B12:
You can find vitamin B12 naturally in foods that come from animals like meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy products. Also, some grains like breakfast cereals and nutritional yeast have added B12.
On the other hand, liquid vitamin B12 supplements are made in labs using microbial fermentation and other chemical methods. These supplements are made by mixing cobalt with different compounds, like cyanide and methane derivatives.
Daily Vitamin B12 Intake Guidelines Based on Age:
The recommended daily intake of vitamin B12 depends mainly on age. Here are the average recommended amounts:
- Birth to 6 months old: 0.4 micrograms (mcg)
- 7-12 months: 0.5 mcg
- 1-3 years: 0.9 mcg
- 4-8 years: 1.2 mcg
- 9-13 years: 1.8 mcg
- 14-18 years: 2.4 mcg
- 19 years and older: 2.4 mcg
- Pregnant teens and women: 2.6 mcg
- Breastfeeding teens and women: 2.8 mcg
Bottom Line:
Vitamin B12 might not get all the attention, but it’s really powerful! This important vitamin helps your body in many ways, like making red blood cells, building DNA, and turning food into energy.
While colorful fruits and veggies are great for vitamins, B12 mainly comes from animal foods and fortified foods. If you can’t absorb B12 well or don’t have enough, B12 shots are a good solution. These shots go straight to where your body needs them.
Remember, it’s important to get enough B12, whether from foods like meat and fortified cereals, supplements, or shots your doctor recommends. B12 keeps you healthy and full of energy, so it’s like a superhero for your whole body!
