B vitamins are essential micronutrients, meaning your body needs trace amounts of them regularly in order to stay healthy and function well. And if you lack B vitamins, you can experience a range of symptoms. As a result, you may even have a more difficult time reaching or maintaining a healthy weight.
Our specialists at Delta Medical Weight Management Center in Southaven, Mississippi, led by Dr. Ulric Duncan, provide lipotropic and vitamin B12 injections for good candidates, with the aim of enhancing your metabolism and helping you to lose fat.
In this blog, we explore the basics and benefits of B vitamins, as well as ways B12 injections can help when you’re deficient.
B vitamins and weight control
B vitamins play an important role in weight and appetite control because they help your body metabolize macronutrients, including carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Vitamin B12 allows your body to convert protein and fats into energy. The B vitamin thiamin helps your body convert all macronutrients into energy.
Risks and signs of a B vitamin deficiency
Many people get enough B vitamins through foods, such as meats, seafood, dairy products, legumes, and fortified cereals. If you’re an older adult, pregnant, or have a particular health condition, however, you hold a higher risk for a vitamin B deficiency. Medical conditions that raise your risk include autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, HIV, and Crohn’s disease. You may also lack B vitamins if you follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet or eat too few overall calories. The medication metformin may also contribute.
Potential signs of a B vitamin deficiency include:
- Appetite loss
- Balance problems
- Confusion and memory problems
- Constipation
- Exhaustion or fatigue
- Mouth or tongue soreness
- Weakness
- Unintentional weight loss
Vitamin B12 injections for weight loss
Vitamin B12 injections help restore normal levels when you’re low on the nutrient. While this process won’t stimulate weight loss directly, it may play a role by addressing symptoms of a deficiency such as energy loss and weakness. When you feel weak and tired, it’s often difficult to exercise intensely or at all. When you feel better balanced nutritionally, you may be more likely to hit the gym, work out at home, or stay physically active in general.
As a bonus, injected vitamins are absorbed faster than oral supplements, making them more efficient at correcting problems. This simple and safe treatment takes only minutes at an in-office appointment.
To learn more about B vitamins or get the nutritional or weight loss support you need, call Delta Medical Weight Management Center today, or email us through our website.