Vitamin B12 and Weight Loss

Posted on 08. Feb, 2010 by Mom Mag in Health

There is lots of different information going around about B12 and whether it can help you lose weight. It’s hard to distinguish between right and wrong information. So what’s the truth? What is B12 and can it help you lose weight?

B12 is a nutrient that we get naturally in our diets. B12 is one of the nutritients that our bodies need for proper functioning. Someone with a B12 deficiency will have serious side effects to their body. Look at it this way, if you are baking a cake you wouldn’t bake it without the flour would you? Obviously not because when you leave one of the most important ingredients out, the cake just doesn’t turn out right. Your body is exactly the same. When your body lacks something as vital as B12 it just won’t work right. This vital nutrient lets your body operate more effectively and efficiently which in the long run allows you to lose weight because it improves your overall health.

Another great thing about B12 is the energy boost it gives your body. This obviously won’t take off the pounds itself, but it gives you the motivation to get up and moving. And when we get up and move we know what the natural reaction to that is – weight loss.

Another weight loss helper is your metabolism and B12 boosts it. What exactly happens when you have a boost in your metabolism? Well you digest food faster and will burn more calories just sitting there. And basic science tells us that the more calories you burn, the fewer calories you store as fat. And when you increase your exercise level that will also give your metabolism an extra boost!

B12 shots tend to be on the pricey shot, about $65 a pop! Our bodies all have B12 from the foods we eat so a shot isn’t necessarily the route to take. In fact you can get more B12 in your system simply by adding it to your diet. Start eating more things like salmon, trout, liver and clams which are high in B12.

As mentioned earlier, there is a lot of information out there regarding B12 and there are scientists that claim it’s not effective. But there are thousands of people out there that say it helped them lose weight. There is no magical pill or cure to losing weight, it’s determined by how hard you work at it. But, B12 if combined with diet and exercise could just be that extra boost that your body needs to shed those extra pounds!

Did You Like This Post? Pass It On!

Written by Mom Mag

Behind the scenes with moms of today.

See all posts by Mom Mag

43 Responses to “Vitamin B12 and Weight Loss”

Barry McDonald

05. Nov, 2007

Hi,
Its always the way the scientist and pharmacists always put down natural methods when there isn’t a way that they can make money out of it.
Scott Soloff

07. Nov, 2007

Everything said here is true, but… I think that it may be better to
get your b12 from vegetable quality sources. B12 can be found
in fermented soy products, seaweeds, and algae such as spirulina
and blue green algae. I think that getting vitamins from animal
quality products just makes our bodies lazy and consequently
weaker. Just a thought.
Chamika Sutton

05. Dec, 2007

B 12 has helped me lose weight. I have lost 15lbs in about 2 months while taking B 12. I also walk a mile a day for my exercise. I take the vitamin once a day. The vitamin can be bought at your local GNC store.
Robert Neil

19. Dec, 2007

Scott is right about Spirulina – it is an excellent source of B12, as well as Amino Acids and B Complex Vitamins. My wife took Spirulina right through her pregnancy and while breast feeding. My daughter, who is now 13, has taken Spirulina since she was 6 months old. So, it is totally safe. But make sure it is Organic as this is the best quality.
Hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Robert
Spirulina
Logo Designers

17. Mar, 2008

My fiancee and I have a consultation with a doctor for b12 shots tommorrow – the goal is weight loss (this appointment is for a woman; I’m going for emotional support) She has a thyroid issue; dont know if that comlicates things…..some ppl say b12 has no effect on weight loss, some ppl say it works wonders…i’m wondering what is a realistic goal for losing weight when combined with reasonable diet and exercise?
Jessica Diets

27. Mar, 2008

With the b12 shots I lost alot of weight, I will tell anyone to take them and I had alot energy to work out.
Debbie

01. Apr, 2008

Great weight loss motivation tip. It is always easier to stick to the healthy meal plan if one’s energy is up. We recommend getting as much of the 3 important B vitamins form raw foods as possible and supplementing the rest.

Debbie
Las Vegas, NV
charlotte

15. Sep, 2008

i am thinking about getting the b12 shots to help me get some engery so i can work out alot more wondering dose the shot help in way and is it safe to take.
Haylee

19. Oct, 2008

I have taken the the B12 shots since July 3, 2008, I have lost 32 pounds so far.
I have more energy, my skin looks and feels better.
Taking the shot does not work alone! You have to work at it also, you have to eat right and exercise, or else youre wasting your time and money.

The shot works great.
WeightLoss Coach

07. Feb, 2009

I’m trying to have weight loss, maybe will give this a shot as I tried others before that won’t gave me much effect..just hope this might help me alot.

WeightLoss Coachs last blog post..Lose Fat Without Changing Your Diet
Inspirational Chris

11. Feb, 2009

Hmm, I am not so sure it’s smart to focus that much on B12 if you want to lose weight. It has the effect that it increases the appetite. For instance, many bodybuilders are using it to manage the big food consumtion. But there may be pros and cons. Just a thought.
Weight Loss Diet Blog

19. Feb, 2009

I certainly believe with good motivation basically anything can be achieved. Especially weight loss. Pounds and pounds can be shredded off with some hard work and motivation. as the article mentioned, Vitamin B12 boosts your metabolism and in turn your motivated to do more and more. that’s how I believe Vitamin B12 helps you reduce weight. Nice article. Cheers
best weight loss programs

20. Feb, 2009

I haven’t seen a lot regarding B12 and weight loss but I have had many people tell me that it definitely gives them energy. My mother has sworn by them for years.

best weight loss programss last blog post..Fat Burning Furnace
Name (required)

25. Feb, 2009

B-12 is powerful. When taken in the right amounts. If a person is vastly overweight, and in need of a boost of energy to allow them to work out then this vitamin is a must.

Name (required)s last blog post..Is Brown Rice Bad for You?
Acai Cleanse

25. Feb, 2009

I have not heard much about B12 relating to weight loss…but this is very useful information you provided…thnks for that…

I took acai berry to loose weight and it helped me a lot….I believe both Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C helps to loose weight quite a lot….
menopause weight loss

28. Feb, 2009

In addition to helping with weight loss, vitamin B12 and menopause go well together because B12 can help give you energy and help the nervous system.

menopause weight losss last blog post..Menopause Weight Loss- Healthy Weight Solutions- Stop Weight Gain
Fat Loss 4 Idiots

05. Mar, 2009

I’ve been taking B12 for some memory loss problems a few years back. I didn’t know much about losing weight with B12. Thanks for sharing this article!

Evelina
Chicago Realtor

20. Apr, 2009

I thought B12 is helping with the eye only, I only takes the multi vitamins if I remember, now I will try to get a bottle of B12 and try it out! Thanks for sharing!

Chicago Realtors last blog post..Buildings Along North Harbor Drive, Chicago
Dofollow

24. Apr, 2009

I agree, vitamin B12 is used in many “natural fat loss pills”. I might be wrong, but B12 is something like acid.
NYC

30. Apr, 2009

Another interesting article from your blog When will it stop….hopefully never
Daytona Beach Movers

04. May, 2009

B12 is good for health in general. It provides energy for the body. Spirulina is also a good source for B12.
holsitic Weights

05. May, 2009

I never really considered the role B12 has in weight loss. I always assumed being on a diet, that is restricting your intake and excerising, which increases your cal usage results in weight loss
Phil

06. May, 2009

I thought that B12 is a fish oil. Anyway, thanks for sharing this valuable information with us.
Nancy Morino

09. May, 2009

B12 can be found in good quantity in milk and other dairy products, and certainly in can affect weight loss in other ways too, as it is an important vitamin for maintaining a good level of energy for the body.

Nancy Morinos last blog post..Bachelor (BA) in Culinary Arts
Weight Lose Pounds

18. May, 2009

Acai Berry is also a good natural way of having a weight lose. Lose pounds and feel healthy again. Acai Berries are genuine from Brazil.
Candy

21. May, 2009

I suffer from Crohns Disease and have had the ilium which absorbs B12 from foods removed. So I am left taking B12 injections for the rest of my life. Without the injections I get extremely tired and I am off balance and stumble alot. Soon after taking my shot, I feel the effects with in a few hours. I can say that without my shots I would not be able to keep up with my boys and keep my house like I do.
how to stop cravings

27. Jun, 2009

I have never considered B12 for weight loss, but if you are low on B12 supplementation is giving a boost energy which itself can lead to weight loss, because you are now finally doing a lot more activities. Apart from the costly injections, I have head, that nasal spays with B12 are quite effective. Oral and sublingual B12 is apparantly not working for everyone.
how to stop cravings´s last blog ..How to Stop Food Cravings with the Sedona Method
Dave

03. Jul, 2009

Vitamin B12 is important for maintaining a healthy nervous system and DNA production. It helps to regulate the formation of red blood cells in the body and play a role in maintaining and increasing energy levels in the human body. As far as using it to lose body fat or excess weight however, I personally have not experienced this. I think there are much more efficient and proven ways to go about losing weight.
Stroller Travel System

03. Jul, 2009

I don’t think taking B12 shots is strictly necessary with a good diet. You can find B12 in many nutritious foods, such as almonds, and soy products.
Green Tea To Lose Weight

08. Jul, 2009

B12 is very important for maintaining internal systems of our body.It present in dairy products.With good motivation basically anything can be achieved,especially weight loss.B12 is helpful in weight loss, thanks for such a nice information about vitamin B12 and weight loss.
Chris

15. Jul, 2009

If you are getting the B12 shots, how long can you take them for and would this have any adverse reaction with long term use?
Liquid Vitamins

16. Jul, 2009

This was great information on b12. There are so many benefits, besides weight loss, to taking b12. Energy and brain clarity are a definite bonus. Plus the various anti-oxidant benefits keep your body’s systems running at optimal performance. There are really no good reasons not to include b12 in your diet.

Thanks again for the post!!
Anna M. Bond

07. Aug, 2009

Hi. I would like to tell which products contain B12. B12 is found in meat (especially liver and kidney), fish, eggs and dairy products. As a source of vitamin B12 can be enriched with them products: for example, for vegetarians, such a source of dry breakfast, brewer’s yeast and yeast extract, fortified cereals and products of cereals, as well as special additives. In many countries the food industry to add vitamin products such as dry meals, chocolate bars, energy drinks.
Chicago Realtor

10. Sep, 2009

I used to think B12 is only helping with the blindness at night, when I grew up, my mom used to ask me to take B2 as supplement for vitamin. Nowadays, there are so many kinds of the vitamins that sometimes I am afraid that we will overdose:-)
Chicago Realtor´s last blog ..512 Mcclurg River East building last 6 months activies
John Legwinski

19. Sep, 2009

Well, B12 doesn’t necessarily helps us to lose weight, rather exercise is the real deal.

And I pretty much don’t believe eating contribute to weight loss.

However, any vitamin is good for our body.

Here are some of foods that contain high amount of B12:
clams, oysters, mussels, liver, fish eggs, octopus and fish
John Legwinski´s last blog ..Weight Loss Plans – 6 Factors That Proved To Be Crucial
Chris

22. Nov, 2009

B12 does contribute to our energy and metabolism. I’m not sure how much supplementation helps. Here’s a recent post on some new links to causes of obesity –
New Link To Obesity Found
magent link

27. Nov, 2009

In order to lose weight 2 things are important metabolism and diet.If these two are ok then huamn tends to the normal weight.Everything else is bad for our health.
Dual Action Cleanse

23. Dec, 2009

I never really considered the role B12 has in weight loss. I always assumed being on a diet, that is restricting your intake and excerising, which increases your cal usage results in weight loss
Jilia

29. Dec, 2009

Most people I’ve known who went this route lost a ton of weight fast, but then when they went off it, they gained it back just as fast as they’d lost it. No thanks!

I’ve lost 75 lbs over 2 years. It’s slow, but I don’t diet, AT ALL. I work out 5 days a week and I track my calories online. I can have a bad weekend, I can enjoy holiday foods, I can eat carbs and I don’t gain back a thing because it came off the right way. Lifestyle change is the only long term fix for a weight problem.
Sauna Weight Loss info

28. Jan, 2010

Well, im not so sure about the b12, but as you have mentioned, combined with a healthy diet and some exercise, it just might work.
Sauna Weight Loss info´s last undefined ..Response cached until Sat 30 @ 0:50 GMT (Refreshes in 23.96 Hours)
smarker01

01. Feb, 2010

B12 is an awesome supplement generally overlooked by many because there isn’t a bunch of hype surrounding it. It can contribute significantly to an overall energy boost and sense of well being.

It’s inexpensive too. Just be sure to get a sublingual B12 supplement for proper absorption.
Lee from handmade jewelry

02. Feb, 2010

I am new here and for me eat healthy foods and exercise everyday is the best solution in loosing weight but as I read the other comments about B12 maybe this could be true. But slow diet for me is the best way.
Jennifer @ Natural Hair Restoration

05. Feb, 2010

Another great thing Vitamin B12 does is help your hair grow healthier. When your body has all the correct nutrients it functions properly. This includes loosing weight and growing thicker hair.
Jennifer @ Natural Hair Restoration´s last blog ..Vitamins and Hair Loss

Mommies Magazine