Vitamin B 12 Side Effects

Before supplementing with vitamin B 12, you may want to know the vitamin B 12 side effects so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not B 12 supplementation is for you.

Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin that is one of the eight B-complex vitamins. Vitamin B 12 is a group of cobalt-containing compounds, also known as cobalamins. The recommended intake a day of vitamin B 12 is 2.4 micrograms per day for healthy adults.

Vitamin B12 plays an important role in blood formation, as well as the normal functioning of the nervous system and the brain. Deficiencies of vitamin B 12 can lead to decreased cognitive function, anemia, and dementia. Some signs of vitamin B 12 deficiency include:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Constipation
• Loss of Appetite
• Numbness and tingling of extremities
• Depression
• Confusion
• Poor Memory
• Soreness of the mouth or tongue
• Delayed development in infants
• Failure to thrive in infants
• Megaloblastic anemia in infants

Vitamin B 12 is found naturally in a variety of food sources. If adequate vitamin B12 is ingested through nutrition, it is very likely unnecessary to supplement it, so there would be fewer risks of vitamin B 12 side effects. Some food sources for vitamin B 12 include:

• Fish and shellfish
• Fortified breakfast cereal
• Meat
• Yogurt
• Milk products
• Eggs
• Poultry

If you are not eating foods rich in vitamin B 12, or if you show signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, you may need to supplement vitamin B 12. Before self-prescribing any nutritional supplement, it is always best to check with your doctor. Discuss the benefits and vitamin B 12 side effects with your personal health care provider.

Benefits of vitamin B 12 supplementation include:

• Vitamin B 12 deficiency may lead to elevated DNA damage, which increases the risk of various forms of cancer. Supplementation of vitamin B12 may reduce this risk.
• Vitamin B 12 may reduce the signs and symptoms of depression or prevent its onset.
• Vitamin B 12 helps to regulate the production of red blood cells.
• Supplementation of vitamin B 12 may help to maintain and increase energy.

There are a number of ways to supplement vitamin B 12 if you feel you are not receiving enough through a dietary source. The most common method of supplementation is orally. Vitamin B 12 is available as a sublingual (under the tongue) oral supplement in many health food stores. Less commonly, vitamin B12 is available as a transdermal preparation – typically as a lotion or as an injectible.

Experiencing vitamin B 12 side effects can be rare; however, they do occur. Vitamin B 12 delivered through tablets or sublingual supplements will have fewer potential side effects than vitamin B 12 injections. The following side effects have been noted in both oral supplementation and injections of vitamin B12 unless otherwise noted. The most common side effects of vitamin B 12 supplementation include:

• Allergic reactions to preservatives in the preparation for the injection
• Mild diarrhea
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Heart palpitations
• Insomnia
• Breathing problems
• Chest pain
• Rash and/or hives
• Itchy skin
• Heartburn
• Vomiting
• Back pain
• Rhinitis (stuffy nose)

In extremely rare cases, the following side effects have been noted:

• Congestive heart failure
• Pulmonary edema
• Peripheral vascular thrombosis (blood clots in the arms and legs)
• Folliculitis
• Inflammatory acne
• Anaphylaxis (most likely related to preservatives used in vitamin B 12 injections)

Because vitamin B 12 is a water soluble supplement, oral supplementation can often lead to bright yellow, strongly scented urine. This is a very common occurrence. Risks of side effects increase with dosage and method of delivery, with vitamin B12 injections having the highest incidence of reported severe side effects and oral supplementation having the lowest incidence of reported side effects, which were mostly mild and transitory.

Chances are, if you are taking an oral vitamin B 12 supplement such as sublingual vitamin B 12 tablets, any side effects will be mild and transitory. Consulting with your personal health care provider before beginning supplementation can not only help you manage the risks of side effects, but also determine whether supplementation is necessary or merely a waste of money.

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