When to Boost:
✓ Feeling exhausted and/or depleted
✓ Prior to strenuous exercise
✓ Difficulty with Vitamin B12 absorption
✓ Over age 50, as recommended by The Institute of Medicine
What is Vitamin B12:
✓ Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin for optimal wellness. It is vital in the production of red blood cells, DNA, as well as the proper functioning of the nervous system.
✓ Vitamin B12 is not produced by the body, and is naturally found in animal foods, including meats, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy. Various products are also fortified with B12, such as varieties of bread and plant-based milk.
✓ Vitamin B12 is one of the most common deficiencies in the world. Some individuals do not consume enough Vitamin B12 to meet their needs, while others are unable to absorb the vitamin effectively.
Who Can Benefit:
✓ Vitamin B12 deficiency is common among older individuals as indicated by The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey which estimated 3.2% of adults over age 50 have seriously low Vitamin B12 levels, and up to 20% may have a borderline deficiency.
✓ Strict vegetarians and vegans are at higher risk for developing Vitamin B12 deficiency, particularly if they do not consume fortified grains or supplements.
✓ Individuals who have undergone weight-loss surgery are more likely to be low in Vitamin B12 due to the body’s ability to extract Vitamin B12 from food.
✓ Consumption of anti-reflux medications can interfere with the absorption of Vitamin B12. While these medications decrease acid production in the stomach, acid is also needed for Vitamin B12 absorption. These medications include proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, and pantoprazole, H2 blockers, including cimetidine, famotidine, and ranitidine, as well as certain diabetes medications, particularly metformin.
✓ Conditions that affect the small intestine, including Crohn’s Disease, Celiac Disease, bacterial growth, or a parasite.
✓ Immune system disorders, such as Grave’s Disease or Lupus.
✓ Pernicious anemia interferes with the absorption of Vitamin B12.
How It Works:
Booster injections are administered via intramuscular (IM) injection into your deltoid muscle allowing for absorption in the bloodstream quickly. Approximately only 20% of oral supplements are absorbed following metabolism in your gastrointestinal system, hence why an IM injection will be absorbed more readily as it bypasses your digestive system.
What Should I Expect?
✓ You can expect a boost of energy following receiving the booster if you were deficient in Vitamin B12.
How Long Will It Take?
✓ It will only take a couple of minutes to administer, including assessment by a health care professional and administration.
How Often:
✓ Administer weekly for 2 months for a total of 8 injections, then monthly thereafter. Also, if experiencing fatigue, feeling depleted, or undergoing strenuous exercise.
Side Effects:
✓ Injection site reactions, including pain, swelling, and redness.
✓ Itching or redness.
✓ Feeling of swelling all over the body.
✓ Mild diarrhea.
✓ Unlikely, but serious side effects include muscle cramps, weakness, and irregular heartbeat requiring consultation with a health care provider.
Contraindications:
✓ Methylcobalamin hypersensitivity.
✓ Cobalt hypersensitivity.
✓ Caution in those with an allergy to sulfa.
