Side effects are possible for any food, supplement, or medication, and everyone reacts differently to different products. Vitamin C, for example, may promote loosening of the bowels if taken in excess, and too much niacin (B3) may cause a disagreeable flushing. Experiencing unpleasant side effects of a supplement is by no means enjoyable, and it’s best for consumers to do their research before diving into any supplement approach. Generally, the worst side effects for vitamins–including B vitamins–are diarrhea, nausea, rashes, and vomiting. Does vitamin B12 have any side effects? Here’s what you need to know. Let’s quickly give a brief overview of how vitamin B12 is absorbed. High doses of vitamin B12 have a low absorption rate when taken orally. To survive the digestive process, B12 must connect with intrinsic factor before it can enter the system. The amount of B12 that does get absorbed is directly related to the amount of intrinsic factor available. [2] Oral ingestion of large amounts of B12 is highly unlikely to cause an issue, as not all B12 survives this process.
Even sublingual absorption (absorption through tissues of the mouth) doesn’t reach levels which would be of cause for concern. Deficiency can result for a couple of reasons. Inadequate dietary consumption of foods containing B12 such as red meat, fish, or dairy products–an issue for many vegetarians and vegans–can lead to deficiency. An inability to digest B12 as a result of low levels of intrinsic factor–for either genetic reasons or a result of physical damage to the stomach or small intestine–can also cause deficiency. Common symptoms include numbness in the hands and feet, moodiness, memory problems, dementia, poor red blood cell formation, impaired DNA function, and fatigue. B12 occurs naturally in three forms: methylcobalamin, adenosylcobalamin, and hydroxocobalamin. Cyanocobalamin was created years ago in a lab using cyanide as a means for stabilization, and many low-quality supplements include this form. Injections are commonly used for individuals suffering from an inability to digest and absorb B12.
Many individuals who have chosen a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle become B12 deficient as a result of eliminating natural dietary sources; still, many meat eaters today are also surprisingly deficient. Some side effects have been reported for patients receiving cyanocobalamin injection. These include itching, acne, nausea, diarrhea, vascular thrombosis, headache, nervousness, and dizziness. Based on studies involving individuals, it appears 1 mg of cyanocobalamin via injection does not create any notable side effects. No adverse or toxic reactions for vitamin B12 have occurred in individuals through dietary consumption or supplement use. The US Food and Nutrition Board have not established any upper safety limits for B12 in healthy people. Although you should always check with your doctor before starting a new supplement routine, supplementation with B12 is considered safe. Watch an In-Depth Video onEverything You Need to Know About Vitamin B-12Video Length: 348 posts, read 2,021,714 times
20,775 posts, read 26,881,973 times Originally Posted by moving-to-AZ I take 500mg of B12 and so does my husband, we take it for energy. We take a brand from Walmart, it's called Spring Valley. 2,072 posts, read 10,164,336 times 4,597 posts, read 9,459,529 times Originally Posted by Paula LynnMy PCP advised it. I take beta blockers for an arrhythmia, and betas are notorious for contributing to feeling too tired. I noticed a difference, but be forewarned -- it isn't going to happen overnight. I seem to recall taking the B complex for at least two weeks before I thought I saw a real difference, and then each month, I noticed more improvement. 617 posts, read 1,746,798 times 5,296 posts, read 4,126,989 times 249 posts, read 501,944 times Even better than the brand is the type. Supplemental B-12 does not survive and uptake very well through the human digestive track - especially as we age. Sub-lingual liquid B-12 is the way to go ... a few drops held under the tongue for about 30 seconds.
There are numerous good distributors of sub-lingual B-12 but one of the best and cheapest is from "NOW". You can buy their products directly from the company online and save about 40 % off the retail cost. Buy so much in $ from them at one time and you even get free shipping. Now supplements are manufactured by Health Genesis Corp (I believe). They have good quality control and testing of their products. Great brand at a great price (No, I do not work for them ). 3,979 posts, read 6,848,712 times 3,414 posts, read 8,342,934 times 1,356 posts, read 4,918,558 times Originally Posted by I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA You must mean 500 mcg of B-12. Sublingual B-12 is good, however, most people don't have a problem with absorbing B-12. Liquid and capsule forms are the best. Sometimes B-vitamins are destroyed or degraded in the tablet making process. B-vitamins are water soluble. The body uses what it needs and excretes the excess in your urine.Diet and Nutrition |
Hi Pet Blog Readers! Please welcome Erica, a veterinary clinic technician, with this guest post about the possible uses for vitamin B12 supplementation for your dog. I’d like to preface this by saying that you should always consult with your veterinarian before starting any new supplements, and definitely get your pet to the vet right away if they are showing signs of lethargy (periods of time lacking energy, excitement or extreme weakness). The vitamin B12 is not only important for the human body- it is also important to the health of a dog or cat’s nervous system and the growth of red and white blood cells. Lethargy, weakness in the legs, or a lack of appetite in a pet may be a result of a vitamin B12 deficiency. This common deficiency may be a result of insufficient levels of the vitamin in the pet’s diet, or of an inherited condition that makes it difficult or impossible for the pet to absorb it through its regular diet. A vitamin B12 deficiency that goes untreated may lead to more serious problems, such as serious gastrointestinal diseases and weight loss.
A B12 vitamin supplement is a very effective and simple solution to the problem, whether the problem stems from insufficient dietary levels or from an inherited condition. B12 supplements can also help pets that suffer from gastrointestinal ailments or kidney disease. How is Vitamin B12 Administered to Pets? B12 vitamin supplements may be administered to pets by a variety of methods, just as it can for humans. The most common method is by oral supplement, which can be administered by crushing a tablet and mixing it into the pet’s food, or by mixing the supplement with water and administering it directly to the mouth by syringe. Increasing meat in the pet’s diet will also provide more of the vitamin. Because many pets have difficulty absorbing the B12 vitamin, injection is a commonly used method of administering the supplement. Some will want these injections to be administered by veterinarians, but the process is simple, and with the veterinarian’s approval, the injections may often be done at home by the pet’s owner.
Typically, B12 injections are reserved for serious deficiencies, and they are recommended if the pet has a gastrointestinal illness or an inherited condition that prevents it from absorbing the vitamin through food. Injections are typically administered to a dog’s hind leg. Cats receive the vitamin through subcutaneous injection. B12 injections are typically given once a week for the first five or six weeks, bi-weekly for another period of weeks, and, eventually, on a monthly basis. How Long Until My Pet Shows Signs of Improvement? As the pet is taking the vitamin supplements or injections, the veterinarian will test the pet’s blood regularly, until the B12 level is acceptable. While the pet is taking the supplements, improvements in appetite and energy, weight gain, and improvement of any gastrointestinal problems should be noticeable. For the majority of pets, a few weeks taking the supplement will begin to show improvements in the problems associated with the deficiency, but the breed and medical condition of the pet will ultimately determine whether it will need the supplements in the short or long term.