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Vitamin B12 is a vitamin that helps form red blood cells and protects the nervous system. Also called cobalamin , B12 is water-soluble, which means the body cannot store it for later.

B12 helps create brand new DNA. B12 provides the needed nutrients to metabolize amino acids as well as fatty acids. These acids help keep blood healthy and DNA safe.

The nervous system’s myelin sheath gets fortified by B12. Myelin coats the nerves as a layer of protection and conduction. The less myelin you have, the harder it is to transmit electrical systems via the nerves. Vitamin B12 provides essential nutrients that help myelin stay in place.

B12 by itself will not cause weight loss. Vitamin B12 boosts your body’s performance. With the improved performance, exercising and dieting should be more effective for weight loss.

Try to get Vitamin B12 shots once a week. You could make due with once a month, but, to promote good and healthy routines, your B12 levels need to be normalized. Weekly injections will help boost your body’s output without going through the downfall of a Vitamin B12 deficient system.

What’s So Great about our B12?

We use methylcobalamin, which is a much higher quality and more active form of B12. It is of higher quality because the body does not need to convert it. The benefits to you are found in energy production and increased metabolism, which are far greater than the other forms of B12.

Vitamin B12 comes in three different forms:

  • Methylcobalamin
  • Hydroxycobalamin
  • Cyanocobalamin

Some doctors may use cyanocobalamin, which is a much cheaper form of Vitamin B12 that needs to be converted by the body to be used. During that conversion, you expend energy, and you may not get the needed boost you were looking for.

Methylcobalamin can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) without the needed conversion. The methyl group helps stimulate serotonin creation, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for mood support. It is also the only form of B12 that acts directly on the nervous system.

Methylcobalamin vs Cyanocobalamin

Methylcobalamin comprises part carbon and hydrogen, hence the methyl group. Cyanobalamin has a cyanide group, which your body has no use for, and has to convert into Methylcobalamin.

Cyanocobalamin does not occur naturally in any living organism, whereas Methylcobalamin B12 is the type of B12 found in nature. Cyanocobalamin is more common, because it’s cheaper to synthetically produce than Methyl B12.

Methylcobalamin is shown to stay in your body for a longer period of time, and is far more efficient in providing a more immediate and longer lasting boost to your energy and immune system.

Cyanobalamin is cheaper, substandard, unnatural, and forces your body to work to receive less energy than the same dosage of Methylcobalamin, making your body waste energy converting. When you need the best boost available, choose Blue Tree Health’s Methyl B12.

Methyl B12 Benefits

  • Improved energy
  • Improved immune system
  • Lessened menstrual cycle symptoms
  • Mood enhancer
  • Reduced acne
  • Improved metabolism
  • Healthy skin, hair, and nails

B12 Shot Pricing

Single B12 cost: $25
Package of 3 B12s: $49
Package of 6 B12s: $89
B wellness shot with vitamin C: $25 (helps with fatigue, and weight loss)

*Double shots are given for extreme fatigue

How Do I Know If I’m Deficient?

You should be getting no less than 2.4 micrograms of B12 per day. If your body is manufacturing less than this, you could be deficient.

If you are deficient, you need to find out why. Some common causes are:

Too much folic acid

If you get tested for vitamin B12 deficiency while you are taking folic acid supplements, you could be providing a false positive. Extra folic acid can mask B12 deficiency. While it doesn’t hurt you to take folic acid, it won’t fix any deficiencies for B12.

Certain digestive issues

People with Crohn’s disease, low stomach acid, and other digestive problems can absorb all of the B12 you are getting. Too much absorption could force you to take even more B12 so you can balance out the levels to where they should be.

You regularly use antacids

Antacids can directly block vitamin B12 absorption and metabolism.

Some effects of B12 deficiency include:

  • Fatigue
  • Vision loss
  • Muscle weakness
  • Changes in behavior
  • Anemia
  • Pale skin
  • Thyroid issues
  • Smooth tongue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Constant drinking
  • Heart palpitations
  • Digestive issues
  • Tingling or numbness
  • Loss or absence of appetite

Foods Rich in B12

The body does not make its own B12. You have to take B12 supplements to avoid deficiency. The best sources of vitamin B12 come from food such as:

For vegans

  • Almond milk
  • Coconut milk
  • Foods rich with soy
  • Tempeh
  • Fortified cereal
  • Foods with nutritional yeast

For non-vegans

  • Fish
  • Liver
  • Beef
  • Skim milk
  • Cheese
  • Eggs

Do you think you need B12?

Blue Tree Health of Austin, TX can help you get your vitamin B12 where it should be. Our treatments offer three Methyl B12 shots at a time for our patients. We will do a full dietary health evaluation to see what treatment your body needs. From there, we can create a plan that will get you the necessary daily vitamins your body craves. Walk ins welcome, no appointment necessary!