VeggieBoards › Forums › Health & Nutrition › General Health Discussion › B12 injections?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

B12 injections?

post #1 of 10
4/7/12 at 8:43am
Thread Starter 
My best friend is a nurse and can get me B12 injections at no charge, which is kinda cool since I'm vegan and B12 is somewhat of an issue if I don't eat enough fortified foods. How often should I get them?
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. - Gandhi

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. - Plato
Reply
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. - Gandhi

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. - Plato
Reply

Featured Stories on VeggieBoards

Great reasons to go vegetarian
Is sprouting garlic safe to eat?
Featured Cookbook: Vegan's Daily Companion
post #2 of 10
4/7/12 at 8:51am
Hmm. Not sure why you would choose to get an injection rather than eating fortified foods or taking a supplement. You really should not be getting these injections without the guidance of a doctor.

No medical procedure is without risk, and the intramuscular injection that is used for B12 has a risk of muscle pain, nerve injury depending on the placement of the injection, and a small (but not zero) risk of infection. Taking supplements or eating fortified foods is zero risk.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 10
4/7/12 at 9:15am
Not very often I would think. Can't your body run for years on its b12 supplies after you go vegan so it doesn't need very much.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 10
4/7/12 at 8:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by iheartpinky View Post

Not very often I would think. Can't your body run for years on its b12 supplies after you go vegan so it doesn't need very much.


That is absolutely horrible health advice. The human body quite simply needs B12. Period. It's an essential nutrient.

There's something every vegan should know about B12.


As for the OP, why not get your levels checked? Unless they're critically low there's no reason to rely on injections. Sure they won't HURT, especially if they're free, but they might be overkill.
Tam! RUGH!
Reply
Tam! RUGH!
Reply
post #5 of 10
4/8/12 at 4:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RunnerVeggie View Post

Hmm. Not sure why you would choose to get an injection rather than eating fortified foods or taking a supplement. You really should not be getting these injections without the guidance of a doctor.

No medical procedure is without risk, and the intramuscular injection that is used for B12 has a risk of muscle pain, nerve injury depending on the placement of the injection, and a small (but not zero) risk of infection. Taking supplements or eating fortified foods is zero risk.

^This. I don't understand why you would prefer getting stuck with a needle instead of just eating foods with B12 or popping a tiny pill.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 10
4/8/12 at 5:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by fadeaway1289 View Post

^This. I don't understand why you would prefer getting stuck with a needle instead of just eating foods with B12 or popping a tiny pill.

What's the difference, it gets to the same place lol. I personally would say do you own research and go from there. I heard this many pluses to the injection, though obviously contact your normal physician.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 10
4/8/12 at 6:29am
Yeah...again, if you think you might be deficient get bloodwork done. If you're just a little deficient or even if your numbers are good, taking a pill every day won't hurt one bit. It's water soluble. Your body will flush out any excess. Many vegans do become deficient to horrible health results. It's not a game or a gamble. It's your health...but injections are rarely necessary for most people.
Tam! RUGH!
Reply
Tam! RUGH!
Reply
post #8 of 10
4/8/12 at 7:22am
Thread Starter 
Got ya. I mean, I like soymilk and cereals and tofu , I just thought getting an injection would bring me up to speed if I was low faster than remembering to buy my fortified foods this week. I think I should just invest in a good multi. Thanks for the advice!
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. - Gandhi

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. - Plato
Reply
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. - Gandhi

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. - Plato
Reply
post #9 of 10
4/13/12 at 9:23am
Take a supplement, B12 only have an advantage if you lack intrinsic factor (pernicious anemia).
If I'm not answering quickly enough - leave a note on Twitter for @Rheumatologe
Reply
If I'm not answering quickly enough - leave a note on Twitter for @Rheumatologe
Reply
post #10 of 10
4/13/12 at 9:55am

~


Edited by whisper - 6/5/12 at 10:51am

‎"One meal, soon forgotten, in exchange for a whole life." Author Unknown
"Fur is worn by beautiful animals and ugly people"
 

WTF - meat cookbooks on a veg*n site??
(3 items)
  
Reply

‎"One meal, soon forgotten, in exchange for a whole life." Author Unknown
"Fur is worn by beautiful animals and ugly people"
 

WTF - meat cookbooks on a veg*n site??
(3 items)
  
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: General Health Discussion

Featured Stories on VeggieBoards

Great reasons to go vegetarian
Is sprouting garlic safe to eat?
Featured Cookbook: Vegan's Daily Companion
VeggieBoards › Forums › Health & Nutrition › General Health Discussion › B12 injections?