Anyone ever had B12 shots?

[Suzanimal]

I started getting them and they give me so much energy. Unbelievable. I didn't get tested. My mom gets them once a week at the spa she goes to and convinced me to try them.

Energy: It’s something we all want more of. And while you know which recipe works best (eat right, stay hydrated, move, log enough sleep, repeat), wouldn’t it just be easier to roll up your sleeve for a little bit of injectable “oomph”?

For some Americans, a deficiency in B12 (a nutrient that helps keep nerve and blood cells healthy and helps birth DNA) requires just that—monthly injections which, among other benefits, provide energy. And when administered by a doctor to treat a the deficiency (determined through a blood test) supplementation, either through an injection or pill, is effective, says Ashley Barrient, R.D., of the Loyola Center for Metabolic Surgery and Bariatric Care who administers the shots.

“Research shows that when someone is deficient and you supplement, there is an improvement in energy,” says Barrient.

But credentialed doctors aren’t the only ones administering B12—and warranting patients aren’t the only ones lining up for them. Log onto Groupon, walk into a medical spa, juice bar, weight loss clinic, or even a beauty store and you may notice something: Everyone is making claims about B12: Boost your metabolism! Increase your energy! Lose weight!

And many (reportedly including Madonna, Justin Timberlake, and Charlize Theron!) swear that a prick or pill is just the fast fix they need. The thought process: Supplementing (no matter your actual B12 levels) will increase energy. “That’s not the case though,” says Barrient. [Tweet this news!]

Why? Vitamin B12 is water-soluble: “When taken in excess, your body eliminates what it doesn’t need,” she says. So if you’re not deficient, you’re wasting your money. Most accounts from healthy people swearing by B12 boils down to a good ol’ placebo effect: If you’re told something works wonders, you’ll likely to feel that it does, Barrient says.

Are You B12-Deficient?
It’s been widely reported that almost 40 percent of Americans could be B12-deficient, according to the Framingham Offspring Study. But if you look more closely at those numbers, you’ll see that this study actually found that 39 percent of people had B12 levels in the “low normal” range—well above the accepted level of deficiency. In fact, the National Institutes of Health suggests only one to one and a half percent of people suffer from a shortage. Most of us take in enough from food—milk, eggs, fish, poultry, and fortified cereals (all of which are prominent in the American diet).

That’s not to say everyone is safe from lagging levels. Some—vegetarians, vegans, people with Chron’s or Celiac disease, and those who abuse alcohol—are susceptible to low levels because of diet choices or absorption issues.

But don’t succumb to a marketed solution off of a self-diagnosis—see your doc. Signs of low B12 levels (fatigue, weakness, sore tongue, tingling and numbness in your fingers and toes, difficulty walking, mood change, or memory loss) are also symptoms of other medical conditions, says Barrient.

Fallen for the craze (and worried your levels are in the clear)? B12 doesn’t build up toxicity like some other vitamins can when taken in excess, says Barrient. That means that you likely won’t see any negative side effects from too much. Like cellulite cream, it won’t help, but it probably won’t hurt.

Have you ever had a B12 injection without knowing your actual levels? Know someone who has? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @Shape_Magazine!

http://www.shape.com/blogs/shape-you...b12-injections

[Chester Copperpot]

no never had... i wonder how youd feel after eating some sardines.. they have lots of b-12

[Suzanimal]

no never had... i wonder how youd feel after eating some sardines.. they have lots of b-12

I might have to start eating sardines again...

Benefits of Sardines: Vitamins

One can (3.75 ounces, or 92 grams) of sardines will net you over 100% of your daily B12, 63% of your Vitamin D, 24% of your B3, and 12% of your B2, as well as slightly smaller amounts of every other vitamin except for C. And that’s less than 200 calories, so if you’re eating sardines on top of your salad at lunch, you’d need at least 2 of those cans to make a proper meal.
The Vitamin D content is especially notable, because so few foods contain it. Most of us get plenty of Vitamin D from sunlight – or at least we did, until we started spending all day inside. Our modern indoor lifestyles put us at a greatly increased risk for Vitamin D deficiency, so it’s smart to take a cue from people who have already figured out how to get enough D without the sun. In northern countries where sunlight is scarce and winter can bring 24-hour darkness, residents know the value of oily fish like sardines, and eat them frequently to stave off deficiency. Sun-deprived office workers of every climate would do well to take a hint from the Swedes and the Finns, and add some sardines to their weekly menu rotation.

Benefits of Sardines: Minerals

Most famously in Paleo circles, bone-in sardines are an excellent source of calcium. A 3.75-ounce can provides 35% of the RDA, probably higher than any other Paleo food (although we still don’t have a precise number for bone broth, so it’s possible the broth could have more). It’s true that calcium isn’t the end of the story for healthy bones and teeth, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important at all; if you don’t react well to dairy, sardines are your bones’ best friend.
Their high calcium content is usually the star of the show, but don’t let it blind you to everything else in the can. Sardines also deliver:

Selenium (69%)
Phosphorus (45%)
Iron (15%)
Magnesium (9%)
Copper (9%)
Zinc (8%)
Not too shabby for such a small amount of food! Again, for a meal you’d at least double that, so the amounts would be even higher.

Benefits of Sardines: Fats

Like other seafood, sardines have an excellent fatty acid profile. The fat content of a can will depend on what the sardines are packed in (olive oil will add more monounsaturated fat, for example, while an unhealthy oil like canola will add more PUFA), but just for the fish themselves, the ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 PUFA is 12:1, an excellent way to balance out the unhealthy Omega-6 levels in the modern diet.
That makes sardines something like a fish oil supplement, if fish oil supplements also delivered protein, vitamins, minerals, and an easily portable snack food. Unlike supplements, canned sardines don’t need to be refrigerated, and you don’t have to worry about whether they’ve been sitting around going rancid on the grocery-store shelf. So between the supplement and the fish, the fish are the clear winners.

Benefits of Sardines: Other Benefits

Other benefits of sardines include their low ecological and environmental impact. Sardines are close to the bottom of the ocean food chain, which makes them much less likely to be contaminated with mercury or other pollutants. Since these toxins concentrate towards the top of the chain, they’re much less likely to be present in small fish like sardines than in large fish like tuna.

Sardines are also a good choice for anyone concerned about overfishing and environmental sustainability. Pacific sardines have even earned a spot on the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s “Super Green List,” a guide to fish choices that are environmentally friendly, low in toxins, and high in Omega-3s.

Choosing and Eating Sardines

Choosing canned sardines is fairly simple. They’re usually sold with other canned fish (tuna, salmon, and anchovies), packed in a variety of liquids from oil to tomato sauce to lemon juice. As always, check the package and make sure all the ingredients are healthy. Olive oil is a good choice; so is tomato sauce (as long as all the ingredients are fine) or plain water. Stay away from soy oil, canola oil, or tomato sauce with a bunch of sugar in it.
Sardines can be eaten straight from the can as an easily portable snack. They’re also popular as a salad topping, or smeared with a little homemade mayonnaise, mustard, or hot sauce. Or use the sardines themselves as the sauce with some sardine and roasted garlic spread. For a different twist, add them to a tomato-based sauce over meat or spaghetti squash “pasta:” they give the dish a subtle tang and an interesting flavor profile as well as adding nutrients.
Fresh sardines are not as common as canned, and you’ll need to prepare the fish before digging in. This can take a little effort if you’re not used to it, but the seafood counters at many grocery stores will actually do it for you right in the store; just ask. Removing the large bones is standard, but you can still get some of the calcium by leaving the little bones in: they’ll get so soft and tender during cooking that they aren’t even noticeable.

http://paleoleap.com/eat-this-sardines/

[Suzanimal]

no never had... i wonder how youd feel after eating some sardines.. they have lots of b-12

Indeed, and much cheaper than the shots.

[Danke]

http://store.infowars.com/Secret-12-...12_p_1427.html

[tod evans]

Bee Pollen: B12 or Not to Get B12 Would be Dangerous

http://pioneerthinking.com/health/be...d-be-dangerous

When it comes to a nutrient that gives you nearly every vitamin known to man, its bee pollen.Bee pollen has been researched for centuries and has been proven to be one of the purest nutrients available. Among one of the most important vitamins in bee pollen is B12. If you want to think clearly, digest your food better and have energy take bee pollen. B12 is essential to many of the body’s functions and systems, and is found in this little natural treasure.

The Many Benefits of Using Bee Pollen to Get B12


With all the benefits of using bee pollen, there is plenty to write home about! Because B12 is so important you can get it by taking bee pollen and get all the other vitamins and minerals while you’re at it. Sound good? While many doctors and nutritionists knock the use of bee pollen, B12 is important and it contains plenty of it.

The biggest challenge overall is that B12 is often never sourced by companies that sell diet products. They often promise plenty of this, and a little of that, but has their source been proven to contain what they claim to give you? I can tell you that with different grades of B12 it is important to know where it’s coming from and how much you are getting.

Bee Pollen, B12 and What Studies Show

Bee pollen is loaded with vitamins and minerals, but that doesn’t mean that you will get everything you need from it within a week. Taking bee pollen over time has been proven to be effective in many areas of health and wellness, but taking bee pollen alone won’t change a B12 deficiency completely. Research has shown that those who took bee pollen in conjunction with a healthy diet received the most benefits.

B12 deficiencies were not cured by bee pollen alone, but it was extremely helpful. Bee pollen B12 is not found in enormous quantities, but there is plenty of supplementation in it for someone to use it on a daily basis and begin feeling the difference within 30 days or more. The B12 vitamin is essential for the body’s ability to function at its optimal level, and should be carefully observed by those who are vegetarian because plants cannot make B12 on their own.

Side Effects of Bee Pollen Could Work in Your Favor or Make you Sneeze

What many people refer to as side effects could actually be beneficial to them. When it comes to bee pollen, B12 is a benefit which means your metabolism increases therefore aiding in weight loss and substantial energy throughout your day. Some negative side effects that should be noted are for those who are concerned about allergies to ragweed. Many plants that have bee pollen in them will have ragweed as well, and this could cause an itchy throat, wheezing, coughing, or even a flushing of the skin.

Getting the true benefits of the bee pollen B12 supplementation will be at its best when you incorporate that with a healthy diet. You can begin healthy weight loss, have clearer thinking, have more energy, and have healthy blood cell production. The value of bee pollen is so high, that if you were on a deserted island, you could survive on bee pollen alone!

Don’t starve yourself though if you are living at home and not on the island; keep in mind bee pollen will build up in your body over time, so start using today and it will bee-come a habit!

Lang Know is an avid health and fitness junky, who is passionate about healthy nutritional supplements. For more valuable information about Bee Pollen Nutritional Information and the many health benefits of this powerful supplement, be sure to visit http://www.bee-pollen-diet-pills.com

[Chester Copperpot]

I didnt know bee pollen had b-12 in it.. i gave mine away because i didnt like the taste but ill have to try it again and check out their nutritional profile...


one thing people arent really aware of is that the synthetic vitamins arent the same as the ones naturally found in foods.. each vitamin will have probably hundreds of variant isomers... when we get synthetics they are just one type of molecule.. like a cookie cutter.. its not natural and probably limits the effect.. also when the vitamins are in the food they are accompanied by other nutrients in the proper amounts that allow for proper assimilation and utilization...theres no comparison..

there are over 500 different vitamin As, almost 1,000 vitamin Ds... the best way to supplement is with natural foods that are nutrient dense.

[Chester Copperpot]

Indeed, and much cheaper than the shots.

if you buy them get them in olive oil or water... but avoid the $#@!ty PUFAs like soybean oil, cottonseed oil, etc etc... that $#@! will shut your metabolism right down and cause other issues

[donnay]

http://store.infowars.com/Secret-12-...12_p_1427.html

That is some good stuff!

[Ronin Truth]

I've heard of some folks getting shots from, B1s, B2s, B17s, B29s, B47s, B52s, B58s, etc.