B12 Shot & Weight Loss

While the vitamin B12 is essential to the function of your body and helps ensure you have the energy needed for exercise, claims that injections --- or shots --- of the vitamin can help you lose weight quickly aren't supported by scientific evidence, the Mayo Clinic reports. Contact your doctor before considering any injection as a method for weight loss.

The Benefits of B12

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, helps convert the foods you eat into energy and is essential to the health of your eyes, skin, hair, liver and nervous system. Food or vitamin supplements serve as the primary sources of B12, since your body is unable to store the vitamin. Dairy products, fish, liver, eggs, pork and beef are rich in the vitamin. Doctors often prescribe injections of B12 to treat asthma and some types of anemia for those with B12 deficiencies, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

B12 & Weight Loss Speculation

Media reports have cited B12 shots as an effective method for weight loss, with supporters of the injections claiming that taking B12 gives you an energy boost and accelerates your metabolism --- which enhances your power to shed unwanted pounds. Some people claim B12 injections reduce your risk for water retention and help remove fat from parts of your body like the liver, while others combine B12 shots with lipotropics, or injections that may enhance your body's fat-burning abilities, the LoveToKnow website notes.

Evidence

Although some weight-loss clinics include B12 shots as part of their diet regimens, there is no evidence as of 2011 to demonstrate that receiving a B12 shot --- or consuming any form of the vitamin --- increases your ability to successfully achieve weight loss. While your doctor may prescribe a B12 shot to provide energy if you have a deficiency of the vitamin and suffer regular fatigue, the injections are not a helpful energy source for people in good health. B12 typically does not threaten your well-being, but the vitamin can hinder the effectiveness of some medications, the Mayo Clinic warns.

Healthy Weight Loss

Avoid the expense and risks of B12 injections through a healthy weight-loss plan that includes a nutritious diet with plenty of vegetables, fruit, fat-free dairy products and whole grains. Exercises like walking, riding a bike or jogging for up to 60 minutes on most days of the week --- with your doctor's approval --- can also boost your weight-loss efforts. Alert your doctor before considering any injection to help reduce weight, particularly if you have existing health conditions or take medication.

Warning

Your risk increases for a B12 deficiency if you are older than 50, have an eating disorder or HIV or follow a vegetarian diet. Signs of a B12 deficiency include breathing difficulties, fatigue, nervousness and tingling in your hands and feet. Check with your doctor if you think your B12 levels may be insufficient to ensure your well-being.