My Experience Taking a B12 Injection - Positivity and Optimism

I've been vegetarian for over three years now, and much of that time has been vegan. I've been supplementing the whole time with a good multivitamin, and often with an extra B12 sublingual vitamin. I also sometimes eat fortified foods, such as Clif Bars.

Despite this supplementation, there are times when I still feel deficient in something. I can feel tired, weak, and have a tingly sensation in my tongue and cheeks. This has led me to add some eggs, cheese and yogurt back into my diet which has really helped me feel better. I feel that yogurt especially has helped me survive as a vegetarian, and I think it's because of the higher B12 content.

As much as eating dairy products has helped me feel better, it also tends to give me acne and a bit of sinus congestion. Both of these problems are generally remedied by drinking green tea. Yet green tea, with all of its amazing benefits, can come with an afternoon caffeine crash. So I was searching for a better solution, and finally found a way to buy B12 shots over the counter in Hong Kong (I'm currently living in neighboring Shenzhen).

After buying the injections, I watched some YouTube videos on how to properly take them. It was a fairly painless shot to my thigh, and some small soreness lasted through the night but was gone the next day. I did get a temporary but sharp headache the next day, which may have been either from the injection or some processed and flavored chips I ate the night before.

Overall, the benefits of the B12 injection have so far strongly outweighed the negatives. I feel better emotionally than I have for months, even years. I have much more energy, optimism and overall excitement for life. I've been off dairy and green tea, and haven't really felt the deficiencies that have brought me to eat dairy or eggs yet.

I know that some people would probably attribute everything I just said to placebo effect. For these people, I would encourage them to research the experiences of Mahatmas Gandhi, who switched from a vegetarian diet to a vegan diet, and eventually ended up on a sick bed, too weak and depressed for his usual activities. Drinking milk brought him back to health and strength, and he was never a vegan again. His story and many other similar stories can be viewed here.

In conclusion, I strongly feel that the B12 injection has worked wonders on me. I feel more positive and energetic, and I'm hoping that I can continue taking them with positive results. I love the vegan diet, and so far, this seems like my best chance at being a vegan. That being said, I'm a realist. If I somehow did have a negative reaction to the B12 injections or fell into deficiencies again, I would likely return to eating eggs and yogurt to keep my B12 levels up (preferably two free range eggs a day).

B12 for Vegans - Sublingual, Patch, Spray or injections?

In his groundbreaking book called "the China Study," Dr. T. Colin Campbell says, "If you do not eat any animal products for three years or more, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should consider taking a small B12 supplement on occasion, or going to the doctor annually to check your blood levels of B vitamins" (p. 232 the China Study).

Vitamin B12 plays a pivotal role in a person's nervous system and energy level. "B12 protects the nervous system. Without it, permanent damage can result (e.g., blindness, deafness, dementia). Fatigue, and tingling in the hands or feet, can be early signs of deficiency" (Link).

Cyanocobalamin vs. Methylcobalamin?

B12 supplements are available in either cyanocobalamin or methylcobalamin form. Methylcobalamin is proven to be more natural and better absorbed by the body (Link). "In Japan and Great Britain, cyanocobalamin has been removed from the market while methylcobalamin is available" (Link).

"The B12 Patch" 

The B12 patch is effective because it completely bypasses the digestion tract and adds B12 directly into a person's bloodstream. I've noticed a significant increase in energy when using a B-12 patch, and I think the patch is the most reliable method of taking B-12. There are many different brands available on Amazon, and the average patch is applied once or twice a week (Link). David Rainoshek of "Juice Feasting" has talked about how the B12 Patch has proven effective for increasing B12 levels (Link). Kevin Gianni from Renegade Health also promotes this patch:

Sublingual Tablets

Sublingual tablets dissolve under the tongue, which can increase absorption. "When a chemical comes in contact with the mucous membrane beneath the tongue, it diffuses through it. Because the connective tissue beneath the epithelium contains a profusion of capillaries, the substance then diffuses into them and enters the venous circulation" (Link).

"A study published in the Feb. 21, 2005 BioMed Central Family Practice, concluded that sublingual B12 was as effective as B12 injections and was more convenient to administer" (Link). Popular raw vegan author Paul Nison promotes the sublingual form of B12 (Link). Another author noted many health issues "which resolved immediately or shortly after taking B-12 shots or sublingual tablets" (Link). Many different brands are available on Amazon or even at your local health food store (Link).

Sublingual Spray

"Dr. Mercola's B12 Energy Booster" is a spray that uses "nano droplets", which are absorbed under the tongue. Dr. Mercola sells this product on his website (Link).

On her website, popular raw food author and speaker "Shazzie" says, "I think I've finally got on top of the panic attacks I used to have. That was probably due to being vegan long-term, a B12 deficiency, cured with sublingual spray. I'd always taken B12 but not sublingually, as I didn't realise the importance. I know better now" (Link).

Nutritional Yeast

"Juice Daddy" Jay Kordich has promoted Nutritional Yeast as a way to get vitamin B12. Nutritional Yeast is fortified with vitamin B12, yet it is also naturally rich in other B vitamins.

"Injections"

For those who have extreme deficiencies, monthly or weekly B12 injections may be needed. Injections are affordable and can be approved by a physician.

Traditional Pills

Most multivitamins include B-12. This is sufficient for many vegans. However, some people find that traditional pills are not absorbed as well when compared to sublingual B12 or B12 patches. (Link)

"Diet"

Many vegans say that a vegan diet naturally contains all essential vitamins, including B12, and therefore supplementation is not essential on a vegan diet. This is partially true, simply because B12 is usually added to popular vegan foods such as soy milk and cereal. Therefore, vegans who do not take supplements can still attain enough B12 from these enriched foods.

Other vegans choose to switch to a vegetarian diet (or a raw vegetarian diet), adding organic free range eggs and/or organic dairy into their diet (including raw eggs, raw milk and raw milk cheese).

For most adults, the recommended daily intake of Vitamin B12 is 2.4 micrograms per day (Link). For vitamin B12 rich foods, check out my other post Here!

In the below video, Natasha St. Michael details how a vegan diet left her B12 deficient. She said she was not properly absorbing B12 from the traditional supplement she was taking. So she is now eating animal products such as fish and eggs on a daily basis.

People who have trouble absorbing B12 from a typical pill might want to consider a sublingual pill or a B12 patch.