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There’s no solid evidence that vitamin B-12 injections aid weight loss. Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble B complex vitamin found naturally in a variety of foods, including meat, fish and dairy products. Vitamin B-12 is also added to some foods and is available as a dietary supplement.
Vitamin B-12 injections are commonly prescribed to help prevent or treat pernicious anemia and B-12 deficiency. Some weight-loss clinics offer vitamin B-12 injections as part of their weight-loss programs. Proponents of vitamin B-12 injections say the shots give you more energy and boost your metabolism, helping you shed unwanted pounds.
But unless you have a vitamin B-12 deficiency, vitamin B-12 injections aren’t likely to give you an energy boost. Metformin (Fortamet, Glucophage, Riomet) is a drug sometimes used as part of a weight-loss strategy for people with type 2 diabetes. Vitamin B-12 deficiency can be a side effect of this drug.
If you take metformin, talk to your doctor about strategies to maintain adequate B-12 levels. Getting large amounts of vitamin B-12 through vitamin B-12 injections isn’t likely to harm your health. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health.
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What Is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is present in many dietary sources , such as: meat
fish
eggs
dairy products
nutritional yeast
some fortified foods In animal-based foods, vitamin B12 binds to the protein molecules. During digestion, stomach acid causes it to separate from the protein, and a substance called intrinsic factor enables the bloodstream to absorb it.
What Is Vitamin B12 And What Does It Do?
Side Effects
If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. This medication may cause low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia).
Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: muscle cramps, weakness, irregular heartbeat. People who have a rare blood disorder (polycythemia vera) may rarely have symptoms related to this disorder while taking cyanocobalamin. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious symptoms occur: chest pain (especially with shortness of breath), weakness on one side of the body, sudden vision changes, trouble speaking.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: symptoms of heart failure (such as shortness of breath, swelling ankles/feet, unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain). A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. In the US –
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.