5 Benefits of B12 Injections

Vitamin B12 is a nutrient you can find in the animal-based foods you eat, like eggs and poultry. This is because the vitamin itself binds to proteins, which are abundant in those foods. You can also get vitamin B12 from supplements or foods where it’s been added. 

When a B12 deficiency occurs, it’s usually because you don’t consume enough of it or your body doesn’t absorb enough of it when you do consume it. Either way, you likely don’t feel very well, because your body relies on B12 for many of its typical functions like red blood cell production and neurological function. 

Because B12 deficiencies are so common, Washington Internal Medicine in Chantilly, Virginia, offers B12 injections to restore your levels and help you feel better. There are quite a few specific benefits of B12 injections for those who need them, and board-certified internist Sohan Varma, MD, makes you aware of them before your treatment. He also makes sure B12 injections are the best way to treat your deficiency, as opposed to vitamin B12 pills. 

In this blog, we’ll do a brief review of five of the most prominent B12 benefits you might experience from your injections in our office.

1. Better brain function

Mental clarity and efficient cognitive function partially rely on the presence of plenty of vitamin B12 in your system. Even if you don’t notice a decline due to a deficiency on your own, you might notice a positive difference after you get a B12 shot. As we mentioned before, vitamin B12 plays a vital role in neurological function which includes your brain.

While research is still ongoing, some evidence points to a connection between vitamin B12 deficiency and dementia. Dementia is the loss of cognitive function to the point that it affects your daily life: its symptoms include memory loss, confusion, impulsiveness, and getting lost in familiar places. 

2. Stronger bones

Experts have found a link between vitamin B12 deficiency and osteoporosis, which is a condition that causes your bones to lose density and become more brittle. When you have osteoporosis, you’re more prone to bone fractures. It’s an especially risky condition for older individuals who are prone to trips and falls. Vitamin B12 shots may help lower your osteoporosis risk, especially if other risk factors, like menopause, apply to you. 

3. Maintaining your vision

One concerning possible effect of a B12 deficiency is vision loss or decline. This happens when you don’t have enough vitamin B12 to support your optic nerve, and damage to the nerve occurs as a result. Any vision decline is of concern, and you should visit an optometrist before assuming your blurry vision is due to a vitamin deficiency. 

Fortunately, vision decline due to a vitamin deficiency is reversible. By undergoing vitamin B12 injections in our office, you can restore your levels of the vitamin and clarify your eyesight. 

4. Improved cardiovascular health

Your cardiovascular health is of great importance when it comes to your overall health and longevity. Vitamin B12 plays several roles in cardiovascular function, including producing red blood cells and lowering levels of an amino acid called homocysteine, which increases the formation of blood clots. 

If you don’t consume much vitamin B12 in your diet, or if your absorption rates are low, you should take a vitamin B12 supplement to keep your cardiovascular system functioning well and prevent conditions like heart disease and stroke. 

5. More energy

An increasing number of people are turning to B12 injections as a way to boost energy, often so they can get more exercise and lose weight in the process. Research is ongoing in this area for individuals without a deficiency, but if you have a deficiency, vitamin B12 injections may help fight fatigue, weakness, and other symptoms. 

Washington Internal Medicine welcomes you in for an array of concierge services, including vitamin B12 injections and folic acid pills. Schedule your consultation at our office in Chantilly, Virginia, to learn more about the benefits of B12 injections today.