Vitamin B12 injections have been a health trend in recent years, most popular among individuals over 50. This vitamin plays an essential role in red blood cell formation, cell metabolism, and nerve function.

While vitamin B12 deficiency is not common, it can present in adults with digestive tract conditions that affect absorption of nutrients and in people who follow a vegetarian diet or vegan diet. Recent Canadian data suggests that fewer than five per cent of Canadians over 60 have a vitamin B12 deficiency.

What foods provide vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is found in a wide variety of animal foods, including:

• Fish, poultry, eggs, milk, and other dairy products
• Clams, oysters, beef liver
• Some breakfast cereals and nutritional yeasts.

Plant foods have no vitamin B12 unless they are added. If you eat a variety of foods, you will get more than enough B12 through your diet.

How do I know if I have a vitamin B12 deficiency?

Some of the most common symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, intestinal problems, a poor sense of balance, numbness or tingling in your fingers and toes, depression. Your health care provider can request a laboratory blood test to confirm a diagnosis.

How is vitamin B12 deficiency treated?

Your health care provider may prescribe an over-the-counter vitamin B12 supplement. The recommended daily dose is usually 1000 mcg a day. In some circumstances, your physician or nurse practitioner might prescribe a monthly intramuscular injection that they administer to you.

Once you start treatment, your symptoms should begin to resolve within three months. Depending on the underlying reasons for your B12 deficiency, treatment might last for three-to-twelve months, or longer if related to a chronic medical issue such as pernicious anemia.

Can vitamin B12 interact with prescription medications?

Yes. Vitamin B12 can interact with some medications, such as:

• Gastric acid inhibitors: used to treat certain digestive disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease.
• Metformin: used to treat diabetes or prediabetes.

Always talk to your physician, nurse practitioner, or community pharmacist about any dietary supplements and over-the-counter vitamins or supplements you take, especially if you are taking other prescription medications to treat a chronic health condition.

Does vitamin B12 help with low energy or to support overall health?

No. Manufacturers often promote vitamin B12 supplements for energy, athletic performance, and endurance. However, vitamin B12 does not provide these benefits in people who get enough B12 from their diet. There is little to no evidence to suggest that regular use of B12 supplements or injections has any health benefit, if you do not have a lab-confirmed B12 deficiency.

The information provided in this article is for personal use, reference, and education only. ASEBP does not provide medical advice. Before starting any medication or product, you should always consult with your pharmacist, health care provider, or call Alberta Health Link at 811.