Vitamins are good for you, as you probably know. But do you know what each vitamin does and why it’s good for you? It’s important to understand the health and nutritional benefits of vitamins. In doing so, you’ll see the role they play in maintaining your health, and you can make sure you’re consuming adequate amounts of each one to avoid deficiencies.

One essential vitamin is B12. It plays many vital roles in your health and well-being. And it’s not surprising that a deficiency can cause significant health issues. If you feel like you’re deficient in this important nutrient, Mobile IV Nurses offers vitamin B12 infusions to bring you back in balance.

What is Vitamin B12?

Other names for vitamin B12 are methylcobalamin or cyanocobalamin. It’s a water-soluble vitamin that can’t be produced or stored in the body, so it’s generally consumed in the form of food. You can find B12 in:

• Beef
• Dairy products
• Fish
• Clams
• Liver
• Poultry
• Eggs
• Fortified foods such as cereal

Vitamin B12 is often a common ingredient in a multivitamin, too.

What Are the Health Benefits of Vitamin B12? 

The body needs vitamins and minerals to function properly. Here’s what vitamin B12 does:

• Assists in the production of DNA and red blood cells
• Creates energy by helping to metabolize food
• Decreases feelings of depression or anxiety
• Plays a role in healthy brain function
• Supports the central nervous system
• Stabilizes mood
• Enhances the immune system
• Lowers levels of homocysteine in the blood; this compound has been linked to a higher risk of dementia, heart attack, and stroke.

It’s essential to get enough vitamin B12. The Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health recommends that adults get 2.4 mcg of vitamin B12 daily; pregnant women should get 2.6 mcg and breastfeeding women should have 2.8 mcg every day. People who may not get those recommended daily levels often use B12 drips to avoid a vitamin deficiency. 

What is a Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

You can become deficient in vitamin B12 if you don’t get enough of it over a period of time. The Office of Dietary Supplements estimates that 1.5 to 15 percent of Americans have a vitamin B12 deficiency. The following people may be more at risk:

• People age 50 and older who don’t produce enough hydrochloric acid for B12 absorption in the stomach.
• People with pernicious anemia, which can prevent vitamin B12 absorption.
• Patients with a gastrointestinal condition, such as Crohn’s disease, or those who have undergone gastrointestinal-related surgery.
• Vegans or vegetarians who don’t consume animal products that naturally contain B12. 
• People who abuse alcohol or are chronic smokers.

There are several symptoms associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. If you are experiencing the following issues, you may want to explore whether a vitamin B12 IV infusion would work for you:

• Fatigue
• Decreased appetite and subsequent weight loss
• Weakness
• Constipation
• Anemia
• Neuropathy in the hands or feet
• Inability to maintain balance
• Depression
• Brain fog (confusion, memory problems)
• Sore tongue or ulcers in the mouth

It’s crucial to immediately address a vitamin B12 deficiency to prevent nerve damage or other serious concerns, including heart disease and vision loss. 

Vitamin B12 IV Benefits

If you’re not consuming enough B12 in your daily diet, you can get it in other ways, such as via oral supplements, injections, or IV infusions.

Vitamin B12 supplements are readily available and affordable. However, the body metabolizes only part of the B12 pill, and that’s after it goes through the digestive system first. Injections are another quick and easy option, though some people may be squeamish about an injection. These shots can also cause side effects, such as diarrhea or bodily swelling. 

A vitamin B12 intravenous administration is just as effective as a shot because it goes straight to the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. An infusion takes a little longer than an injection—a typical session lasts about 30 to 45 minutes—but many people find it to be a more comfortable experience. 

During a vitamin B12 IV session, a medical professional gently inserts the needle into the arm and connects it to a tube that leads to the drip IV bag. You just need to sit back and relax while the fluids flow into your bloodstream. Once the session is complete, you’ll receive a small bandage to cover the insertion site on your arm, and you can go about your normal daily routine. 

Mobile IV Nurses is a trusted provider of IV therapy for a range of health concerns. Our team consists of experienced medical professionals, including registered nurses and paramedics. They will discuss your health history, symptoms, and goals for IV therapy to better customize your experience. 

We pride ourselves on providing high-quality mobile IV therapy throughout Arizona. And we spare you the trouble of traveling to a hospital or urgent care center for treatment; instead, we provide IV therapy at your home, office, hotel room, or other convenient location. You’ll find our prices fair and reasonable, both for our IV packages and our add-on supplements and medication. 

We use our extensive knowledge about IV therapy to offer patients the best possible treatment. We administer many B12 IVs and discuss the benefits and what you can expect to get out of your treatment. Our IVs will help ensure your body has the vitamins it needs so that you feel strong and healthy. Contact us today to book an appointment for your vitamin B12 infusion.