What does practice say about injecting vitamin B12?

I get quite a few questions about vitamin B12 injections. I'll try to summarize a few observations in the following sentences. There used to be, and still is, a lot of talk about its effect on muscle mass, not only among people in the gym, but also among the older generation of doctors. I have tried to get my GP to prescribe it before, as it is prescription only, but to no avail. She turned me down saying, "You want it for your muscles, it's out of the question."

I then did some experiments where I was given vitamin B12 as part of my treatment when my toes tingled after gall bladder surgery. I then included it a few more times for minor health benefits, more energy and improved appetite. More in the final section of the article.

What the body needs vitamin b12 for

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is a vitamin in the B vitamin group and is water soluble. It is especially important for the proper function of hematopoiesis, is involved in the synthesis of DNA and ATP, and is necessary for the proper function of the nervous system and for certain metabolic processes in the body. It helps in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and protein synthesis. It is also essential for the growth and development of red blood cells, which is why it is used to treat anemia. The increased number of red blood cells also causes an increase in energy levels.

Forms of vitamin b12

B12 can be administered orally, intramuscularly (IM) or subcutaneously (SC) or sprayed into the nasal mucosa (IH). Oral administration results in the least absorption. Intramuscular or SC injections are a better way to take this substance because it is better absorbed. Nasal spray results in 89% absorption of the substance through the nasal mucosa. After absorption, B12 is stored in the liver. Some athletes believe that the use of multiple B12 vitamins will result in increased fat metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and increased protein synthesis, and therefore the doses will greatly exceed the recommended doses. However, the body only uses and stores as much b12 as it needs and any excess is excreted in the urine. Free B12 has a half-life of 6 days.

Dosage of b12

• Oral form - 1000mcg/day
• Injectable form - recommended is 30-100mcg/day for one week. Thereafter 1000mcg/month. Of course some athletes take doses up to 1000mcg daily, but I would certainly never exceed this already borderline dose.

Personally, I have only taken the recommended amount of vitamin B12. After all, some side effects such as diarrhea, drowsiness, allergic reactions, and perhaps decreased potassium levels can occur in more sensitive individuals. This is why vitamin B12 is prescription and not over-the-counter. I have never experienced any side effects. The general recommendation of dietary intake for adults is 2.4 micrograms (mcg) of B12 per day.

Deficiency and problem for vegans

Vitamin B12 is found naturally only in animal foods such as meat, fish and dairy products. Basically, vitamin B12 supplementation in the form of supplements is necessary for those who do not consume meat. Better yet, stick to a diet that does not neglect your intake of vitamin B12, which is essential for your life. Vitamin B12 helps make DNA and red blood cells. Your body can't store it for long, so it's a vitamin you need to consume regularly in some form. If you are deficient in vitamin B12, you may experience symptoms such as fatigue, heart palpitations, various digestive problems, depression, loss of vision, nervousness, numbness and tingling in your fingers - signs of a nerve problem.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause your device (penis) to stop working in men. Yeah, you can't get it up or hold it up during your play dates with your girlfriend. Of course, erectile dysfunction can be caused by other things as well, especially serious medical conditions related to being overweight and having a poor hormone profile.

Conclusion and my findings

In my experiments, I did not notice any better blood flow to the muscles during the workout, nor any increase in strength, nor any better gains in muscle mass. The only thing I felt was more energy and a significantly better appetite. When treating against my tingling fingers it worked, so definitely good for nervous system issues as well.

Don't expect any extra benefits from vitamin B12 if you have enough of it. So its inclusion is completely unnecessary for most and only has a minor health benefit or placebo effect. If you suffer from a lack of appetite, you can try to include B12, but even though it is a vitamin, small side effects are a risk in some cases and possibly choosing the injectable version also requires some knowledge. I always recommend consulting someone more experienced or getting enough information. With tablets I wouldn't worry about anything and feel free to try.