Vitamin B12 is known to have several benefits, especially for those with known vitamin B12 deficiency. This essential vitamin plays an important role in maintaining cellular functions and boosting overall health. But with different forms of vitamin B12 available, you might be asking yourself whether vitamin B12 tablets are as good as vitamin B12 injections.
Let’s answer this by comparing the two forms of vitamin B12 side by side.
Mode of Administration
Vitamin B12 tablets are taken orally. For most people, the oral form is often the easiest and most tolerable way to administer supplements. You can take the tablet on its own with just a glass of water, mix it with your food, or dissolve it to be consumed in a beverage. In its oral form, vitamin B12 is absorbed by the body through the digestive tract.
Oral vitamin B12 can also be taken as a sublingual tablet. A sublingual tablet is placed under the tongue until it is dissolved. Because many blood vessels are found here, vitamin B12 is readily absorbed.
Vitamin B12 injections, on the other hand, are administered through a syringe. Sometimes called B12 shots, vitamin B12 injections are administered subcutaneously (under the skin) or intramuscularly (into the muscle). These injections can often be self-administered. However, a healthcare professional may be consulted for the first few times to demonstrate proper administration. That way you do not have to stop by their office each time you need an injection, and you can easily order vitamin B12 online.
Pros and Cons
There are pros and cons to taking vitamin B12 as an oral tablet or injection. For example, one of the greatest advantages to oral tablets is the ease of administration. Compared to an injection, an oral tablet is more comfortable to take in many cases.
Many people cannot tolerate the sight of needles, so doctors might recommend vitamin B12 tablets. The tablets may also be cheaper and more cost-effective compared with injections, and they may be readily available in many health stores. For this reason, vitamin B12 tablets could be as good as injections.
However, there may be downsides to taking an oral vitamin B12 supplement that should be considered. The vitamin B12 in oral tablets may not be 100% absorbed and utilized by the body in certain instances. Some of it may be lost during digestion, especially if there is inadequate intrinsic factor in the stomach. Intrinsic factor is a protein that binds to vitamin B12 in the stomach so that it can be absorbed. Antacids and other medications, like metformin, can also interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12 in the stomach. Higher doses of vitamin B12 may be needed to absorb an adequate amount of vitamin B12 through the digestive tract.
Another disadvantage with oral vitamin B12 supplements is the need to take the vitamin on a daily basis. Vitamin B12 injections can often be administered once a week or once a month. The injectable mode of administration can be ideal for those who have trouble forgetting to take their medications on a daily basis.
Injections are also recommended for individuals with severe vitamin B12 deficiency and when immediate restoration of B12 is needed. Injections start working more quickly than their tablet counterparts and are easily absorbed through the bloodstream.
Are vitamin B12 tablets as good as injections?
Both oral vitamin B12 tablets and vitamin B12 injections are effective ways to boost overall health and manage a deficiency. Both are also good choices promoting optimal bodily functioning. Whether vitamin B12 tablets are as good as injections depends on personal factors such as your tolerance for the injection, the severity of your condition, and your budget.
If you are still torn between tablets and injections, it is always best to consult a healthcare provider before taking any medication. A history of allergies and your current medical condition are important factors that they may consider when recommending or prescribing vitamin B12 supplements. You can also consult with providers at Medical Weight Loss Centers of America who specialize in vitamin B12 supplementation, among other health maintenance strategies.
Not all manufacturers are created equal
Now that you have a better understanding of vitamin B12 tablets and injections, you should also remember that the source of the supplement is equally as important as your choice between vitamin B12 shots vs pills. Some manufacturers may dilute their product with water or add fillers. For this reason, it’s important to choose a reliable source of your supplement. Getting your supplement directly from a specialty clinic may be a wise choice so that you can directly see what exactly you’re getting.
Why do you need Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common than what most people realize. Many people suffer from a lack of energy, mental sluggishness, anemia, and other health related problems because of vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is important for energy, production of red blood cells, and mental wellness. If you are experiencing a constant fatigue or feeling anxiety and depression, as well as slow mental performance, you may be missing out on some important vitamins, including vitamin B12. You should see your healthcare provider to determine whether vitamin B12 is right for you.
In summary
A vitamin B12 injection is not something that you can easily buy from a grocery store. It requires a prescription from a healthcare professional, and it needs to be administered correctly to receive the maximum benefits. If you have vitamin B12 deficiency, vitamin B12 tablets may be as effective as injections. They are readily available, cheaper, and taken orally with ease. However, vitamin B12 injections are more readily absorbed in the body and do not have to be administered as often as oral tablets. Still, it’s also important to look at what type of vitamin B12 you’ll be administering.
Contact the Medical Weight Loss Centers of America if you have other questions regarding supplementation with vitamin B12. The experts at MWLCOA are available to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Eligible patients who are already on a vitamin B12 supplementation plan may be able to order vitamin B12 injections online for self-administration at home.