Losing weight has a lot to do with your metabolism — how efficiently your body uses calories. Vitamin B12 supports a healthy metabolism, yet many of us are deficient. Here’s how we can help.
Plenty of people think weight loss dieting means cutting out junk food and empty calories. While that’s important, it’s just as important to make sure you’re getting the nutrients your body needs to process calories as efficiently as possible. That’s where vitamin B12 can help.
Also called cobalamin, vitamin B12 is essential in boosting metabolism, improving your energy level, and making it easier for your cells to get the oxygen they need for good health. Many people don’t know that this vitamin also plays a role in weight management — and if your vitamin B12 levels are low, it could be even harder to drop those pesky pounds.
At Ageless Med Spa in Katy, Texas, our team offers vitamin B12 injections to help patients overcome their weight-management obstacles while promoting overall natural wellness. Here, we explain vitamin B12 and how it could help you achieve your weight-loss goals.
Vitamin B12: The basics
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin, one of 13 vitamins required by your body in order for it to function the way it’s supposed to. B12 works by supporting nerve and blood vessel function, and it also plays an integral role in your metabolism — the steps your body takes to break down foods into usable energy.
Many Americans are deficient in vitamin B12, which means they’re not getting enough to support good health. If you have even a mild vitamin B12 deficiency, it could take a big toll on your metabolism and hinder your ability to lose weight.
In fact, several studies have shown a link between levels of vitamin B12 and obesity. One major study evaluated nearly 10,000 participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found obesity was far more common among people with low levels of vitamin B12 compared, while people with higher levels of the vitamin were less likely to be overweight. Other research shows lower levels of vitamin B12 are associated with poorer metabolism of fats (lipids) and an increased incidence of insulin resistance and diabetes.
Injections vs. oral supplements
Many people are used to taking oral vitamins to supplement their natural vitamin intake, but that’s not the most efficient way to get the amount of vitamins you need. That’s because oral supplements must pass through the digestive tract, exposing them to acids and enzymes.
Those enzymes are necessary for breaking down foods into tiny particles for normal digestion. But they also act on vitamins and minerals, sometimes weakening their effects — which means you’re probably not getting nearly as much of the nutrient as you think.
What’s more, digestive issues, like inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome, can interfere with nutrient absorption. Even chronic stress and minor illnesses can interfere with absorption, reducing the amount of nutrients available for key functions like metabolism.
On the other hand, with vitamin B12 injections, the vitamin enters your bloodstream directly, bypassing your digestive tract and the problems it can cause. Once injected, the vitamin goes to work immediately and at full strength, so you reap all the benefits.
Win the weight-loss battle
Being overweight doesn’t just take a toll on your confidence — it can increase your risks of serious medical problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. If you’ve been struggling to lose weight — and keep it off — vitamin B12 injections could be what your body needs to help you achieve your goals.
To learn more about vitamin B12 injections and how we can tailor a program just for your needs and goals, call 281-392-3700 or request an appointment online with the team at Ageless Med Spa today.
