Appointments at Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Are vitamin B-12 injections helpful for weight loss? Answers from Brent A. Bauer, M.D. 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. But vitamin B-12 can interfere with the effectiveness of some medications, so if you receive vitamin B-12 injections, be sure to let your doctor know. If you're hoping to lose weight, resist the lure of quick and easy solutions. What counts is a healthy lifestyle. Enjoy healthier foods in appropriate quantities and include physical activity in your daily routine. Brent A. Bauer, M.D. Scent-based weight-loss productsCabbage soup dietNatural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Accessed June 2, 2015. Vitamin B12: Dietary supplement fact sheet. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Healthy weight — It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle! Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Metformin in the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Accessed June 3, 2015. See more Expert Answers Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic Diet OnlineThe Mayo Clinic CookbookMayo Clinic on Alzheimer's DiseaseControlling High Blood PressureMayo Clinic on Digestive Health Other Topics in Patient Care & Health Info Diseases and Conditions A-Z Tests and Procedures A-Z Drugs and Supplements A-Z Patient and Visitor GuideRecently, vitamin B12 has been linked to weight loss and energy boosts, but are these claims for real? A lot of doctors and nutritionists lean toward "no." Vitamin B12 plays a major role in a number of the body's essential functions, including DNA synthesis and the formation of red bloodVitamin B12 also helps the body convert fats and proteins into energy. B12 deficiency can lead to several ailments, most notably
megaloblastic anemia, which is caused by a low red blood cell count. common symptom of megaloblastic anemia is fatigue. This form of anemia — as well as other health issues associated with B12 deficiency — can be easily treated with injections of the vitamin. Claims that B12 can boost energy and aid in weight loss come from the incorrect assumption that the effect it has on people with megaloblastic anemia will be the same in people with normal levels Most people get vitamin B12 through their food. is naturally present in certain animal protein-based foods, such as: Since B12 is only found naturally in these animal products, deficiency is common among vegetarians and vegans if they do not consume fortified foods such as fortified cereals and fortified yeast. Other groups of people at risk for B12 deficiency include the elderly, people who are HIV positive, people who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery, and people with certain digestive disorders, specifically Crohn's
disease and celiac disease. Celiac disease is the autoimmune disorder thatElderly people or those who have undergone stomach surgery generally have lower levels of acid in the stomach, which can result in reduced absorption of B12 from animal foods. For these people, B12 found in fortified foods or supplements might be a better option. Also, people who take the diabetes drug metformin are at higher risk for B12 deficiency. There are many ways for people at risk for B12 deficiency to add more to their diet. Like just about any vitamin and mineral on the market, B12 supplement pills are available at supermarkets and pharmacies. present in B complex supplements, which combine all eight of the B vitamins into a single dose. You can get larger doses of B12 through an injection, which is a common way weight loss facilities administer the supplement. typically suggest injections of higher-than-average doses of B12 for people diagnosed
with megaloblastic anemia and other health problems associated with a B12This type of injection often requires a doctor's prescription. Foods where the vitamin is not naturally present – such as breakfast cereals – can also be "fortified" with B12. useful for people at risk for deficiency. Check the nutritional information on food labels to see if it’s been fortified. Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend 2.4 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin B12 per day for anyone over the age of 14. There is no difference in recommended intake for men and women. Pregnancy increases the recommended dose for women, both during the pregnancy as well as after if the mother chooses to breastfeed As any doctor or nutritionist will tell you, there is no magic weight loss cure. Those looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle or drop some pounds should be wary of supplements that claim to help you lose weight without proper lifestyle changes to affect your diet and exercise routine.