Many people suffer from B12 vitamin deficiency, especially with the growing popularity of veganism, vegetarianism, and other specialty diets and lifestyles. Others who may be more susceptible to vitamin B12 deficiency are patients diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or celiac disease, and those who have undergone intestinal procedures such as weight loss surgery.

Even though vitamin deficiency can go undetected, there are adverse effects if your body is not getting enough of the nutrition it needs to function at its best. In some cases, untreated vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to behavioral and health issues such as decreased brain function, depression, osteoporosis, and macular degeneration. One way to help combat the development of those conditions and fulfill your dietary needs is by supplementation.

While many who are deficient opt for oral, over-the-counter supplements, we recommend approaching the deficiency head-on with B12 injections. This form of supplementation is beneficial and safe and can help treat a variety of symptoms while preventing damage to the body from the deficiency. In fact, some who aren’t deficient in vitamin B12 choose to take advantage of this supplementation as it offers a variety of health and behavioral benefits such as increased energy, improvements in mood, and weight loss.

Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic compound of vitamin B12 used to treat vitamin deficiencies. Chemically, cyanocobalamin is classified as a “corrinoid,” representing a crystallizable cobalt complex. The name “cyanocobalamin” is derived from including a cyanide group within the molecule. It is essential for cellular energy production as well as DNA synthesis. It is converted to Methylcobalamin in the body so that it can be actively used.

The most chemically complex of all the vitamins, methylcobalamin is a water-soluble, organometallic compound with a trivalent cobalt ion bound inside a corrin ring which, although similar to the porphyrin ring found in heme, chlorophyll, and cytochrome, has two of the pyrrole rings directly bonded. The central metal ion is Co (cobalt). Methylcobalamin cannot be made by plants or by animals; the only type of organisms that have the enzymes required for the synthesis of methylcobalamin are bacteria and archaea. Higher plants do not concentrate methylcobalamin from the soil, making them a poor source of the substance as compared with animal tissues.

Methionine is one of the four sulfur-containing amino acids; the other three are cysteine, homocysteine, and taurine. Additionally, it is one of the nine essential amino acids in the human body. As an essential amino acid, it cannot be synthesized de novo by the human body due to a lack of the require metabolic pathway needed for its synthesis. Therefore, methionine has to be exogenously introduced into the human body either within the diet or as a supplement.

Methionine serves several key roles in the human body such as:

• Substrate in the production of critical hormones and proteins including L-cysteine, carnitine, adrenaline, choline, and melatonin, among others.
• Increasing liver production of lecithin which helps lower serum cholesterol levels.
• Provides sulfur which aids development of nails and promotes hair growth.
• Chelating agent which helps get rid of heavy metals such as mercury.
• Provides protection against hepatotoxins such as acetaminophen.

Choline is an essential nutrient that plays a key role in a number of metabolic pathways in the human body. Even though choline is produced endogenously in the liver, it is still considered an essential nutrient because the quantities produced is not sufficient to meet the body’s metabolic needs; as such, dietary supplementation of choline is necessary. Choline can be found in both animal and plant food sources, with animal food sources generally having more choline per gram of food product.

Some functions that choline serves in the body are:

• Production of sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine, which are needed to maintain cell membrane integrity.
• Production of acetylcholine, which is one of the major neurotransmitters in the body.
• Modulation of gene expression and cell membrane signaling.
• Early brain development in fetuses.

Inositol is a naturally occurring carbohydrate that may help with weight loss, particularly for people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Some functions that inositol serves in the body are:

• Insulin sensitivity: Inositol can help improve insulin sensitivity, which is a common problem in PCOS and can lead to weight gain.
• Appetite and cravings: Inositol may help regulate appetite and reduce cravings.
• Fat metabolism: Inositol may promote fat metabolism.
• Hormonal balance: Inositol may help with hormonal balance, which can contribute to weight management in PCOS.

At Arizona Skin, we understand that not everyone can meet their daily nutritional needs through food alone. Whether you are on a special diet or have poor absorption of nutrients, we are here to help. For more information about B12 injections or to schedule an appointment, contact us today at 623-259-4372.