Bursitis & B12 Vitamins

According to MayoClinic.com, bursitis is a painful condition that most commonly affects your elbows, hips and shoulders. Bursitis can also occur in your heel, big toe and knee. Bursitis is an overuse injury that should be confirmed and treated by a physician. However, vitamin B-12 may be able to help decrease your healing time from bursitis.

Bursitis

Bursitis occurs when your bursae -- small fluid-filled pads that act as cushions between your bones, muscles and tendons -- become inflamed. Symptoms of bursitis include a stiff or achy feeling in your affected joint. Your joint may appear red or swollen as well. Most individuals with bursitis report the condition becomes more painful when you are active or press on your injured joint. MayoClinic.com reports that bursitis is more common in middle-aged individuals as well as those with a profession that requires repetitive motion -- such as baseball or carpet laying.

Treatment

A visit to your doctor's office will include a physical examination of your affected joint along with a medical history. Imaging tests may be completed to rule out over conditions. Lab tests may also be used to help analyze the fluid from your bursae. Treatment for bursitis includes rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medications. Your doctor may sometimes recommend physical therapy or an injection to relieve inflammation. If your bursitis is caused by infection, your doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic. Surgery is rarely required for the treatment of bursitis.

Vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-12 is part of the vitamin B complex -- a group of eight vitamins that is responsible for metabolizing the food you consume into forms your body can use. Vitamin B-12 is specifically responsible for breaking dietary protein down into human protein -- which is a form of protein that can be used by your body. Protein plays a key role in the repair of muscles and tissues. Adequate supplies of protein in your body can also help decrease the time you spend recovering from bursitis or another injury to your muscles or joints. A lack of vitamin B-12 can slow your recovery.

Vitamin B-12 Sources

Vitamin B-12 is found in a large number of animal products. Animal products include meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy products. This vitamin can also be found in plant products that have been fortified -- or have had vitamin B-12 added to them. These products can include milk, cereals and bread. Vitamin B-12 can also be supplemented. Talk to your doctor before beginning supplementation of vitamin B-12 or any other vitamin.

Vitamin B-12 Doses

The amount of vitamin B-12 required by your body largely depends on your age. Adults over the age of 14 should consume 2.4 mcg daily. Youths between the ages of 9 and 13 need 1.8 mcg per day. Children -- ages 4 to 8 -- require 1.2 mcg of vitamin B-12 daily. For children ages 1 to 3, the recommended dietary allowance is .9 mcg. For infants -- ages 7 to 12 months -- .5 mcg is required. For newborns -- ages zero to 6 months -- .4 mcg is required.