Vitamin B12 is an important component of a healthy diet, contributing to the functioning of the brain, nerves and blood cells. While everyone requires this vitamin for healthy functioning, pregnant women and nursing mothers require somewhat more than average.Vitamin B12 is found naturally in many foods, including fish, seafood, liver, beef and dairy products and is added as a supplement to foods like cereals, to help ensure proper nutrition.
The vitamin, which may also be produced in the laboratory, is usually injected into the muscle of the thigh, upper arm or hip when necessary. Dosage and frequency of injections varies depending on the patient's condition.
Reasons for Vitamin B12 Injections
There are many reasons vitamin B12 injections may be prescribed or recommended. In some cases, patients may be deficient in the vitamin and suffering symptoms, while in others, B12 may be considered potentially helpful in preventing or treating certain conditions.
Vitamin B12 Deficiencies
Vitamin B12 is necessary for patients with a low serum level of vitamin B12 because they take particular medications or because they suffer from:
- Pernicious anemia
- Gastrointestinal or autoimmune disorders
- Alcoholism
Patients may also have low levels of vitamin B12 if they have had bariatric surgery, are strict vegetarians, or have used antacids or proton pump inhibitors for a prolonged period. Vitamin B12 deficiency is also more frequently found in individuals of advanced age.
Conditions Vitamin B12 Prevents or Improves
Vitamin B12 is believed to be helpful in preventing or improving the following conditions:
- Memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, or other dementia
- Fatigue or lack of concentration
- Weakened immune system
- Heart, kidney and liver disease
- Infertility
- Osteoporosis
- Allergies or asthma
- Tinnitus
- Skin disorders
- Lyme disease
As an alternative to being injected with vitamin B12 for these conditions, patients are sometimes offered B12 supplements to be taken orally or applied as nasal gels. In many cases, though, patients' disorders prevent them from absorbing the B12 unless it is administered by injection.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency results in symptoms common to a variety of disorders, so blood work and other diagnostic testing may be necessary to rule out other problems. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include:
- Anemia
- Intestinal disorders and weight loss
- Fatigue, weakness, lightheadedness
- Memory loss or confusion
- Depression or dementia
- Rapid heartbeat and respiration
- Mouth or tongue soreness or bleeding
- Excessive bruising
Injections are the most effective means of administration of vitamin B12 since they do not depend on the body's ability to absorb the substance through the gastrointestinal tract. Although vitamin B12 injections can increase energy and improve quality of life for individuals with a deficiency, patients whose vitamin B12 levels are normal will not have improved health from this treatment.
IV Therapy
Your body uses vitamins, minerals and amino acids to provide you with energy, health and wellness. IV therapy is a good way to get these nutrients into your body while bypassing the digestive system; IV therapy provides a direct route for nutrients to reach your bloodstream. This area of regenerative medicine is beneficial as a form of maintenance and rejuvenation, or as a way to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments for chronic illness.
What is IV Therapy?
So what does IV therapy do, anyway? In short, it delivers vitamins and minerals into your body. While the food you eat and supplements you take must first be processed by the digestive system, intravenous delivery has an unfiltered route to your cells. IV therapy provides 100 percent absorption of the minerals and vitamins in the solution, whereas supplements taken by mouth can never be absorbed this completely.
Hydration, Vitamins and Minerals
Depending on the specific ingredients you want to infuse in the solution, your IV therapy can deliver hydration as well as nutrition. The benefits are many:
- Replenishes nutrients
- Supports healthy immune system
- Boosts energy
- Promotes healthy aging
- Boosts physical stamina and performance
- Prevents dehydration
- Detoxes the system
- Soothes gut problems
- Eases chronic pain
- Reduces fatigue
- Prevents muscle aches
The IV solution may help you sleep better and prevent mood swings. It may be the right way to sharpen your focus and concentration. IV solutions can help treat and prevent the common cold and the flu.
What’s Included?
Common IV ingredients include:
- B vitamins
- Multi-vitamin
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Calcium
- Iron
- Potassium
- Folate
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Folic Acid
- Selenium
- Glutathione
- Alpha Lipoic Acid
The solution is customized and certain add-ins can be incorporated into an existing IV offering.
You may also have the option of choosing the Myers’ Cocktail, named after Dr. John Myers, who developed the IV solution in the 60s. This IV cocktail contains vitamins B and C, magnesium and calcium. It is linked to an array of beneficial outcomes, including anti-aging. It has been used to address problematic digestion, fatigue, low energy and chronic disease symptoms. Whether you are an athlete wanting to boost recovery, a person wanting to cure a hangover, or someone who is dealing with the serious symptoms of chronic illness, a Myers’ Cocktail IV may be helpful to you.
What is IV Treatment Like?
The treatment itself is quite comfortable. You’ll be able to relax with an audio book, listen to a podcast or check your inbox while the solution is administered. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. You will get the appointment estimate ahead of time so you can plan accordingly.
Schedule an IV Treatment
Arrange an appointment today. First, you will choose the right IV solution for the symptoms or chronic illness you are experiencing. Afterward, you should feel more energetic and rejuvenated. Although scientific evidence is limited, IV therapy may boost your immune system functioning and help stave off colds, the flu, fatigue and other problems.