The importance of regular b12 injections

Vitamin deficiencies can cause all kinds of problems for the condition of your skin, but also for your overall health. Vitamin b12, also known as cobalamin, is one of the most important vitamins that your body needs for a range of essential functions, including the formation of red blood cells, neurological function, and DNA synthesis. However, this is also one of the most common vitamin deficiencies across the UK, and this can be corrected through dietary changes, tablets and injections. But what is the importance of regular b12 injections? And why should you consider these?

What is b12 deficiency?

Vitamin b12, while essential for a range of body processes, is not naturally produced by the human body. This means that the b12 we need to stay healthy must be obtained through the diet, or supplements. B12 can be found in a range of dietary sources, including dairy products, fortified cereals, meat and fish, but this often leaves people with specific dietary requirements, or elderly people, at a higher risk of developing a vitamin b12 deficiency. 

A vitamin b12 deficiency can lead to a range of severe health issues, including megaloblastic anaemia, neurological problems, and cognitive impairments. There are a variety of symptoms that are associated with this deficiency, including fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, difficulty maintaining balance, depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory, and soreness of the mouth or tongue.

Who is at risk of b12 deficiency?

There are a number of different groups of people that are at risk of b12 deficiency. These include:

Vegetarians and vegans- Because b12 is found in meat, fish and dairy products, people following a plant based diet may struggle to eat enough food containing b12, leaving them susceptible to developing a deficiency. Fortified cereals and breads often do not provide enough b12 for a healthy body, and as such, regular injections can be necessary. 

Elderly individuals- As a natural part of the ageing process, the ability to absorb b12 decreases due to an overall reduction in the production of stomach acid. This means that b12 in food sources may not be able to be absorbed, leading to a deficiency despite eating a blanched diet. In addition, there are a range of chronic conditions that can also impair the absorption of b12, and these conditions are often more prevalent in the elderly population.  

Individuals with gastrointestinal disorders- Conditions such as Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease, and pernicious anaemia can all impair the absorption of b12, and stomach and bowel surgeries can also limit absorption.  

So what is the importance of regular b12 injections?

There are a number of benefits to regular b12 injections, particularly for any of the people in the at risk groups listed above. These benefits include:

Effective absorption- Injections of b12 have the advantage of entering the bloodstream directly, bypassing the digestive system completely. This means that you can maintain strong levels of b12 for a healthy, functioning body. As the b12 is used up by the body, stores will need to be replenished, which is why regular injections are so important.

Rapid improvement- While the symptoms of b12 deficiency can be debilitating and disruptive to daily life, the injections provide a rapid response, boosting b12 levels instantly, for a quick reduction in the severity of common symptoms, like fatigue, weakness, and cognitive impairments.

Convenience and compliance- Regular injections, administered by a professional team like us here at The Skin and Wellbeing Clinic, can ensure that you receive consistent and accurate dosing. This can be more reliable than oral supplements, which require daily adherence and may not be absorbed efficiently.

For more information or advice about regular b12 injections from a team you can trust, get in touch with the professionals today, here at The Skin and Wellbeing Clinic. We are Preston’s leading aesthetic practitioners.