Some people use vitamin B12 and lipo B12 injections to support their weight loss efforts, but what’s the difference between B12 and lipo B12 injections? One contains only vitamin B12, and the other contains both lipotropes and vitamin B12.
All medications have the potential to cause side effects. When choosing between these medications, consider whether you only need to replenish vitamin B12 or whether you are looking for the benefits associated with lipotropes as well.
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B12 vs. Lipo B12 Injections: What’s the Difference?
Vitamin B12 injections restore healthy vitamin B12 levels in people with a deficiency. This deficiency is common, affecting approximately 6% of people under the age of 60 and 20% of people over the age of 60. Though vitamin B12 can be consumed in the diet, many people have difficulty absorbing it and look to alternative ways to maintain healthy B12 levels.
Lipo B12 injections contain lipotropes along with vitamin B12. The combination of lipotropes in any given compound may be proprietary, but most contain the following:
- Betaine;
- Branched-chain amino acids;
- Choline;
- Inositol;
- L-carnitine;
- Methionine;
- Vitamin B12;
- Vitamin B6.
Invigor Medical’s lipo B12 injection contains methionine, choline, inositol, and vitamin B12. These nutrients were chosen because they have the most research supporting their benefits.
What Are the Pros of Vitamin B12 Injections?
Vitamin B12 injections are typically prescribed for people with symptoms associated with a vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is important for a number of vital functions in the body, such as growth and brain function. It also helps your metabolism work more efficiently, which increases energy and supports weight loss. Epidemiologic studies have shown a link between vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies and increased metabolic risk. This connection has led researchers to focus on better understanding the effect of low vitamin B12 on obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
What Are the Cons of Vitamin B12 Injections?
According to the National Institute of Health, the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) didn’t establish an upper limit for vitamin B12 because of its low risk of side effects. However, some people cannot take vitamin B12 injections safely, including those with Leber’s disease or similar eye concerns, kidney disease, liver disease, iron or folic acid deficiency, an active infection, or those taking medications that may interact with vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 Injection Side Effects
Potential side effects associated with vitamin B12 injections can include the following:Â
- Allergic reactions such as facial swelling and skin rash;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Diarrhea;
- Hand, feet, and ankle swelling.
A very rare but serious allergic reaction that causes swelling of the face, tongue, and throat can occur. Difficulty swallowing or breathing (anaphylaxis) is also possible.
What Are the Pros of Lipotropic B12 Injections?
With lipo B12 injections, you get the benefits of vitamin B12 along with the benefits associated with lipotropes. A lipotrope is a substance that helps the body process and remove fat from the liver. The main lipotropics in a lipo B12 injection are inositol, choline, and methionine, each of which performs a critical role in the body.
- Inositol: Inositol is a sugar alcohol that helps your body use glucose more efficiently. It also contributes to cell structure, metabolism, efficient energy consumption, storage, and fat burning.
- Choline: Choline is an essential amino acid that is used throughout the body to build cell membranes, maintain healthy muscle and liver function, and produce acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and is involved in forming memories and controlling muscle contractions. When people have a choline deficiency, they are at increased risk for fatty liver disease.
- Methionine: Methionine is an essential amino acid that acts as an antioxidant and supplies sulfur to many molecules in the body. It helps to protect body tissues, modify DNA, and maintain healthy cellular function. Because methionine is converted to homocysteine and SAM, it is involved in many steps in fat metabolism.
Because of these additions, lipo B12 injections include the potential for more efficient fat metabolism, better liver health, and increased energy levels.
What Are the Cons of Lipo B12 Injections?
Lipo B12 injections are generally recognized as safe but do have the potential to cause similar side effects to a standard B12 injection.
Supplements are not appropriate for everyone. Some medical conditions and medications are contraindications to taking supplements. Talk to your doctor about your health concerns to verify that a nutritional deficiency is likely and that supplements such as lipo B12 or B12 injections would improve your health.
Understanding the nuances of vitamin B12 and lipo B12 shots is crucial for anyone looking to enhance their health and weight management efforts. Both options offer unique benefits, from boosting metabolism and energy levels with vitamin B12 to optimizing fat metabolism and liver health with lipo B12’s additional lipotropes. If you’re considering supplementing your diet to combat deficiencies or to support weight loss, buy vitamin B12 injections and take a step towards achieving your health goals.
