How Vitamin B12 Injections Can Help Improve Your Well-Being in Texas

A picture of Anne Marie Ponce de Leon

Anne Marie Ponce de Leon

Do you think you are lacking in vitamin B12? A variety of processes in our bodies are influenced by vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), including the regulation of nervousness and depressive responses, cholesterol, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, the increase of hemoglobin, the vital organ functions, the strengthening of our immune system, and blood pressure. 

When there is a deficit in this nutrient, vitamin B12 injections are quite beneficial in negating the adverse effects. In this post, we’ll go through the reasons why your body can be lacking in vitamin B12.

Why Vitamin B12 Deficiency Occurs

A vitamin B12 deficiency is mainly caused by a diet low in vitamin B12, which is found in the following foods:

  • Liver from pork, beef, and chicken
  • Beef heart, tongue, and meat
  • Lamb
  • Rabbit meat
  • Cheese
  • Low-fat cottage cheese
  • Oysters
  • Herring
  • Mackerel
  • Trout
  • Perch

However, certain factors may also cause this vitamin deficiency. Here are some examples:

  • The preservative E200, a common additive in food, is known to deplete vitamin B12.
  • Gastritis, enterocolitis, and helminthiasis are examples of gastrointestinal diseases in which the body does not absorb the vitamin well.
  • Vitamin B12 is sometimes not absorbed by the body owing to a shortage of enzymes.

Signs and Symptoms of Cyanocobalamin Deficiency

The following physical changes may occur with a vitamin B12 deficiency:

  • Irritation or melancholy 
  • Exhaustion in the first half of the day
  • Recurrent headaches and dizziness
  • Heart palpitations
  • Appetite loss

Foods to Help You Get Enough Vitamin B12

To get the recommended dosage of this vitamin, you can add the following foods to your diet:

  • Fish are rich in vitamin B12 and other micro and macronutrients. You can go for tuna, trout, and salmon, which are excellent sources of vitamin B12.
  • Other aquatic animals like clams can provide up to 165% of the recommended daily vitamin B12 intake.
  • Eggs are another excellent and easily accessible source of vitamin B12 for non-vegetarians. Just two whole eggs provide 22 percent of the RDI for vitamin B12 and a variety of other minerals.
  • Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt are among the best vitamin B12 sources for vegetarians. Vitamin B12 is found in 18% of the RDI in one cup of whole milk.

For vegans, it may be more challenging to find food with enough of this vitamin. The best and most practical approach to acquiring enough vitamin B12 is through fortified foods. The process of fortification is the addition of nutrients to food that are not previously there.

Here are some fortified foods ideal for vegans:

  • Although not fully healthy on their own, fortified cereals can be consumed by persons who are vitamin B12 deficient.
  • Two tablespoons of vitamin B12- fortified nutritional yeast gives 130 percent of the RDI.
  • One cup of non-dairy milk, such as soy milk, contains 45 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin B12.

Taking vitamin B12 supplements is another alternative for maintaining the recommended consumption of the vitamin. According to research, dietary supplements have a physiological effect on the body like that of food.

This means that supplements can also be used as a substitute for meals in the event of a food-related deficiency. 

How Vitamin B12 Injections Can Help

Vitamin B12 injections can help treat vitamin B12 deficiency because they directly supply the nutrient in your body. Doctors will inject the shot into your muscle, and your body will begin to absorb and use the vitamin as necessary.

Vitamin B12 injections are excellent options for people with symptoms of deficiency, as well as those who have trouble absorbing the nutrient naturally.

Conclusion

Vitamin B12 deficiencies can result from a poor diet and various medical conditions. If you are consistently experiencing any of the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, you need to get a health check. This can help ensure that you’re getting the right amount of vitamin B12 in your body.  

If you can’t ingest vitamin B12-rich food, B12 injection therapy from wellness clinics can be a good alternative.

Are you looking for B12 injections in Houston, TX? Z Med Clinic offers trusted and state-of-the-art family healthcare. Schedule your appointment today!

Anne Marie Ponce de Leon

Medical Director

About Anne Marie Ponce de Leon

Anne Marie Ponce de Leon MD is a proud native Houstonian. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Houston Baptist University with a double major in Biology and History. For medical school, she attended the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston (recently renamed McGovern Medical School). She began her family practice training at Tufts University Medical School in Boston, MA, but subsequently returned to Houston where she completed her residency at the Memorial Southwest Family Practice Program.

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