What are the side effects of B12?
Side effects of vitamin B12 can also include symptoms similar to those of a cold, such as coughing, low energy, wheezing, and breathing difficulties after minor physical exertion or after lying down. Other rare reactions involve the muscles, including muscular cramps, muscle weakness, muscle soreness, and tingling.
Will too much vitamin B12 cause any side effects?
While a necessary vitamin, excessive amounts of B12 can sometimes cause a few unwanted side effects. Although not all of these side effects occur, they may need medical attention in the event that they do. Skin problems like hives, itching, or rashes. In some serious cases, the following also tend to occur:
Is 2500 MCG of B12 too much?
is 2500 mcg b12 too much? B12: If taken daily, it is a very high dose. B12 is typically nontoxic but can have side effects at high doses. If taken once a month, then the dose is f ...
What is the best supplement for headaches?
Vitamins and Supplements for Headache Treatment
- Magnesium. It seems that people with migraines have lower levels of magnesium than the rest of us. ...
- Riboflavin. Better known as vitamin B2, this may make migraines less frequent and less severe for some people. ...
- Feverfew. ...
- Coenzyme Q10. ...
- Melatonin. ...
What happens if you take too much B12?
However, it’s important to know what side effects occur when you take too much. Vitamin B-12 is water-soluble and absorbed in the intestines. After it’s absorbed, it’s used to make DNA and red blood cells. Vitamin B-12 that isn’t being used is stored in the liver.
What supplements are good for B12?
You may need vitamin B-12 supplements if you take any of the following: colchicine. metformin. proton pump inhibitors. vitamin C. chloramphenicol. H2 blockers. aminosalicylic acid.
Can you take vitamin B12 with folic acid?
Be sure to tell your doctor if you take folic acid. You may need to take vitamin B-12 separately from the above drugs and supplements — say, one in the morning and one at night — so you can get the full dose of vitamin B-12. Don’t take vitamin B-12 supplements ...
Can B12 cause anaphylaxis?
Vitamin B-12 can cause very rare but serious allergic reactions ( anaphylaxis ). This includes swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, and difficulty swallowing and breathing. If this occurs after you take vitamin B-12, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.
Is it safe to take B12?
Oral vitamin B-12 is safe to take at recommended doses for healthy people. Injectable vitamin B-12, which is used to treat significant deficiencies, can cause the following side effects: mild diarrhea. itching.
Can you take B12 if you don't get enough?
Seek medical attention if your symptoms get worse or are severe. You can consult your doctor to establish an appropriate dose if it’s determined that you don’t get enough B-12 from food sources.
Can you stop taking B12?
If you develop any side effects from taking vitamin B-12, you can stop taking the supplement and the symptoms should subside. After this, you’ll need to determine either an appropriate dose or how to get the vitamin B-12 you need from food sources. You can discuss this with your doctor.
What is the B12 nutrient?
B12 is a critical nutrient in the formation of red blood cells. Image Credit: foxline/RooM/GettyImages. Vitamin B12 supplements are popular among people who want to increase their energy level, endurance and sports performance. Even though the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for B12 is only 2.4 micrograms (mcg), ...
How much B12 is recommended daily?
Even though the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for B12 is only 2.4 micrograms (mcg), some supplements provide 10,000 mcg per serving, or 416, 666 percent of the RDA. That amount of B12 daily for a long time can have potentially serious effects. Video of the Day.
What is B12 in the body?
What Is B12? B12 is a critical nutrient in the formation of red blood cells. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen throughout the body. Without enough — or properly formed — red blood cells, the body can't get the oxygen it needs.
Why is B12 replaced?
It must be replaced through food or supplements each day to keep blood levels at a normal level. Because blood levels can't build up, there's low risk of toxicity. For this reason, the National Academy of Medicine did not establish an upper limit (UL) for B12, noting that no negative effects are associated with excess B12 from both food ...
What is the condition that causes fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite and depression?
This results in a condition called anemia, which can cause fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite and depression. Advertisement. In addition, vitamin B12 is required for neurological function and DNA creation, and it's also involved in metabolism and controlling blood levels of an amino acid called homocysteine.
Does B12 lower homocysteine?
High levels of homocysteine are associated with low B12 and increased risk of heart disease and cognitive decline. However, while a high dose of B12 does reduce homocysteine levels, it hasn't been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack or to improve cognitive function. Advertisement.
Do vegetarians need B12?
Getting Enough B12. B12 is primarily found in animal foods. Because of that, many vegetarians and vegans find it difficult to get enough of the vitamin from their diets, so supplementation may be necessary. The body's ability to absorb B12 also decreases with age, so older adults may need a B12 supplement.
What are the symptoms of a B12 deficiency?
Symptoms of a B12 deficiency include fatigue and weakness. Finally, high blood levels of B12 can be a sign of more serious health conditions, including liver disease and blood cancer. If your doctor is alarmed by your B12 levels, he'll likely perform repeated tests at intervals to confirm your status.
What is the normal B12 level?
The B12 normal range for healthy adults is between 160 to 950 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL). Anything over 950 (pg/mL) is considered high. There are a few reasons why your blood levels may be elevated: If you've just had a B12 injection, your blood levels could be temporarily high.
What is the function of B12?
B12's primary function is the formation of healthy red blood cells. Your red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin, responsible for carrying oxygen throughout your body. In people with low B12 levels, weakness and fatigue are common symptoms. However, the opposite — high energy — is not a sign of high B12. Although many people take this supplement with the goal of improving their energy levels, endurance and sports performance, B12 increases energy only in those with a deficiency.
Does B12 need to be excreted?
As a water-soluble vitamin, any B12 your body can't use is usually excreted in urine. It's not stored in the body, and you must replenish your source of the nutrient each day through your diet and supplements. Therefore, blood levels depend on your diet and supplementation at any given time.
Can B12 cause acne?
According to a 2015 review in The American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, B12 supplementation may cause acne and rosacea. If you experience any side effects of any kind from taking B12 as a supplement or receiving an injection, talk to your doctor about whether you should continue taking the vitamin. Advertisement.
Can B12 injections cause muscle cramps?
According to WebMD, potential but unlikely side effects of B12 injections include muscle cramps, weakness and irregular heartbeat. This is because the injection can cause blood levels of the mineral potassium to decrease. Therefore you may experience symptoms associated with potassium deficiency.
Is B12 high in blood?
High blood levels of B12 are rare. Image Credit: bee32/iStock/Getty Images. High blood levels of B12 are rare. If your levels are high, you might not know it unless you visit a doctor and have a B12 blood test. Although there are a few potential side effects from any dose of B12, it carries little risk of causing serious symptoms or side effects, ...
What does it mean when you have high B12 levels?
If you have elevated vitamin B12 levels in your bloodstream, it is a sign of a serious illness. The most common diseases associated with high levels of the vitamin are kidney failure, blood cancers, leukemia, liver disease, polycythemia vera, and hypereosinophilic syndrome.
Why is my B12 level so high?
Elevated levels of vitamin B12 is caused by diseases that make your blood levels increase. A damaged liver would be a good example of this. Because it is not functioning correctly, it may release B12 into your blood from storage. This would cause your vitamin and blood levels to rise. Early symptoms of too much vitamin B12 side effects from illness include loss of appetite or fatigue. If you are experiencing these symptoms and feel generally unwell, see your doctor. He may want to order a blood test, which is the only way to definitively find out if your vitamin B12 levels are high, as well as decide if further tests are needed to find the underlying cause.
What is the B12 supplement?
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin needed to help your body stay healthy. It can be found in meat, fish and dairy foods. You can also find it in forms of a supplement, available in caplets, as injections or an absorbable gel. Also referred to as cyanocobalamin, it is needed to make DNA, maintain red blood cells and support nerve cells.
What foods have B12?
Top 7 Foods Rich in Vitamin B12. 1. Beef Liver. Liver is very rich in vitamin B12. In fact, only one ounce of beef liver meets your daily recommended intake of the vitamin. It also helps with anemia as it is full of folate and iron, too.
Does B12 cause cognitive loss?
Also referred to as cyanocobalamin, it is needed to make DNA, maintain red blood cells and support nerve cells. It increases blood flow to the brain and inner ear, which decreases the rate of cognitive and hearing loss. Too much vitamin B12 side effects are nil as you cannot accumulate it to toxic levels. However, if your B12 levels are high, it ...
Can you overdose on vitamin B12?
It is very hard to overdose on vitamin B12, but you can put a moderate strain on your kidney if excess consumption occurs too often. Too much vitamin B12 side effects by overconsumption are rare.
Is it safe to take too much B12?
It is safe to consume too much vitamin B12, but keep in mind it may negatively interact with other medication. The most common effect of these medications is they do not allow your body to effectively absorb the amount of vitamin you need. One such medication is the antibiotic named chloramphenicol. Other types of drugs include those designed to relieve acid reflux and control Type 2 diabetes. If you need to take one of these medications, consult with your doctor as you may need to take a vitamin B12 supplement.
What vitamins are good for migraines?
In a study migraine sufferers with elevated homocysteine levels, which is another indicator of deficiency of vitamin B12 and other B vitamins, were given vitamins B12, folic acid and vitamin B6. Their homocysteine levels dropped and migraine-related disability improved.
Does B12 help with migraines?
This latest study only shows correlation, but it does not prove that taking vitamin B12 and increasing your serum level will relieve migraines. Nevertheless, it makes sense to have your level at least in the middle of normal range since vitamin B12 is important for many brain functions.
Does vitamin B12 cause migraines?
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) deficiency has been long suspected to play a role in the development of migraines, but so far it has not been directly linked to migraines. A new study published in the latest issue of Headache compared vitamin B12 status in 70 migraine sufferers with 70 healthy people with similar demographics.
Does B12 cause Alzheimer's?
For example, multiple sclerosis patients with low B12 levels have higher disability and vitamin B12 deficiency may predispose to Alzheimer’s disease. I’ve written in the past that long-term intake of heartburn drugs often leads to vitamin B12 deficiency.
Does B12 go up or down?
Vitamin B12 levels are notoriously inaccurate, so the authors confirmed this finding by testing for a more sensitive indicator of deficiency, methylmalonic acid (MMA), which goes up as the vitamin B12 levels go down. Patients with the B12 levels in the highest quartile had 80% lower chance of having migraines compared to those with levels in ...
How to take Vitamin B12
Since the body can’t produce its own B12, you’ll have to ingest it from somewhere. You can get Vitamin B12 mainly by eating foods rich in the said vitamin. The following foods can make up a part of an excellent diet plan:
Possible B12 Side Effects
While a necessary vitamin, excessive amounts of B12 can sometimes cause a few unwanted side effects. Although not all of these side effects occur, they may need medical attention in the event that they do.
Possible Interactions
Interactions happen when a change occurs in how a drug acts in the body when taken with certain other medicines, drugs, or supplements or when taken while having certain medical conditions. These interactions may cause the supplement to be more or less effective or cause unexpected side effects on the body.
Recommended Dosages for B12
The National Institutes of Health has recommended the following daily intake amount for Vitamin B12:
Who should take Vitamin B12 supplements?
People at risk of experiencing vitamin B12 deficiency are recommended for taking Vitamin B12 supplements. These include older adults, vegetarians and vegans, pregnant or breastfeeding women, those suffering from intestinal problems, dietary restrictions, and those who have had stomach surgery.
What to do in case of side effects
If you experience any negative effects after you start taking vitamin B12 supplements, the best thing to do is to discontinue their use immediately. It’s important to seek immediate medical attention if the side effects become frequent over time or are severe. Just switch to food sources instead.
Key Takeaways
Vitamin B12 remains an important nutrient for the body to function properly and continues to be sought after in foods and as a nutritional supplement.
What vitamins are good for headaches?
Headaches and migraines are a reported sign of deficiencies in vitamin B12, vitamin D, magnesium and iron. Taking vitamins for migraines and discontinuing use of vitamins to prevent headaches may put you at a standstill. To avoid headaches altogether, try to drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.
What is it called when you overdose on vitamins?
Any vitamin, mineral or multivitamin consumed in excess may yield vitamin overdose symptoms. In severe cases, this is known as hypervitaminosis, and it occurs when abnormally high amounts of vitamins are stored in the body and cause toxicity. This is also known as multiple vitamin overdose. Other symptoms include:
Can you take a multivitamin if you don't take it?
Even if you do not take a multivitamin, you may still suffer from a vitamin headache from over-consuming fortified foods. Some of the vitamins that have been linked to headaches as a side effect include: Vitamin A. B vitamins.
Can you take vitamins for headaches?
Vitamins for Migraines and Headaches. When you have a headache caused by vitamins, you may want to see a doctor and discontinue use. However, there are cases where people take vitamins for migraines and headaches.
Can you take vitamins on an empty stomach?
This can often be attributed to taking vitamins on an empty stomach. In cases where vitamins cause nausea, Cleveland Clinic recommends taking vitamins with food, lowering your dose, getting vitamins from food sources and opting for an easy-to-digest formula.
Does caffeine help with headaches?
Unfortunately for coffee lovers, kicking your caffeine habit may help with your headaches. Try switching to decaf coffee or herbal tea to jumpstart your mornings. You may notice more headaches at first, but over time, your body will not be as dependent on caffeine for energy.
Does drinking water help with headaches?
Researchers concluded that drinking more water is a noninvasive treatment that is recommended for headache relief. Lack of sleep and frequent sleep disturbances can also increase the chances of getting a headache. On the other end of the spectrum, getting too much sleep may make you feel groggy with headache symptoms.
