Can I take B12 even if I don't need it?

Although supplemental B12 is required for people with an increased need for this vitamin, it's unnecessary for those without a deficiency to take high doses.

Can you just take vitamin B12?

You should be able to get all the vitamin B12 you need by eating a varied and balanced diet. If you take vitamin B12 supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful. Taking 2mg or less a day of vitamin B12 in supplements is unlikely to cause any harm.

When should I not take vitamin B12?

Certain medications can decrease the absorption of vitamin B12, including: colchicine, metformin, extended-release potassium products, antibiotics (such as gentamicin, neomycin, tobramycin), anti-seizure medications (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), medications to treat heartburn (such as H2 blockers ...

What are the cons in taking B12?

Using high doses of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) to treat anemia can lead to low levels of potassium and/or high platelet counts in the blood. Severely low potassium levels can cause life-threatening heart problems, and high platelet counts can lead to issues with too much blood clotting.

How much B12 should a 40 year old woman take?

Vitamin B12

Any time after 40 and before turning 50 is a good time to start getting B12 from a supplement or multivitamin. Aim for 2.4 mg per day (the current recommended dietary allowance), though there's no need to worry about taking too much, Kirkpatrick adds.

Is Too Much B12 Bad (Can You Take Too Much b12?)

What is vitamin B12 good for?

Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps keep your body's blood and nerve cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells. Vitamin B12 also helps prevent megaloblastic anemia, a blood condition that makes people tired and weak.

What happens if your B12 is too high?

In some people, high levels of B12 may cause gastrointestinal problems such as bloating and diarrhea. And if you have high blood pressure or poor cardiovascular health, having too much B12 may further complicate these issues. Pregnant and breastfeeding women may also need to be especially mindful of B12 levels.

Can vitamin B12 damage your liver?

Vitamin B12 therapy has not been linked to ALT elevations or to clinically apparent acute liver injury. Likelihood score: E (unlikely cause of liver injury).

Is it OK to take 1000 mcg B12 daily?

The most common treatment for pernicious anemia is lifelong vitamin B12 injections, but small amounts of vitamin B12 are absorbed without intrinsic factor. One review concluded that taking 1,000 mcg daily is an effective alternative to injections ( 42 ).

Can B12 cause anxiety?

B12 deficiencies are often a root cause of neurological, psychiatric and cognitive issues. Having a B12 deficiency puts you at risk for developing depression and anxiety, fatigue, and can worsen hypothyroid and other health concerns.

Can vitamin B12 cause heart problems?

Macrocytosis associated with vitamin B12 deficiency is also associated with fatal and non-fatal coronary disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, and other circulatory health problems.

How much B12 does a woman need daily?

Most women get the recommended daily amount — 2.4 micrograms (mcg) for most adults, 2.6 mcg for pregnant women, and 2.8 mcg for women who are breastfeeding — in their diets.

Can too much B12 cause neuropathy?

Thus, vitamin B12 may be associated with both sensory and motor peripheral nerve function. In older adults, the prevalence of poor peripheral nerve function and neuropathy is high and increases with age^18–21.

Can B12 hurt your kidneys?

Previous research has shown that B vitamins lower homocysteine levels. However, this study found that taking high doses of vitamin B appears to significantly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. It also worsens kidney function for people with diabetes.

Can too much vitamin B12 cause inflammation?

B-12 is metabolized in the liver and its by-products are removed from the body by the kidneys. Exposure of the liver to high levels of B-12 may cause damage to liver cells, leading to inflammation and scar formation.

Can B12 cause blood clots?

Population research suggests that having low levels of vitamin B12 might be linked to an increased risk for blood clots in the veins.

How often should I take vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient. Fish, shellfish, meat, eggs, and dairy products are good sources of vitamin B12. The amount that should be consumed on a daily basis is called the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). The RDA is 2.4 mcg daily for people 18 years and older.

How do you flush B12 out of your system?

Drink lots of water. It is water soluble. It will flush out from your body. Avoid any B12 supplements.

What vitamins should not be taken together?

Does B12 help with anxiety?

However, when it comes to vitamin B for anxiety, vitamin B12 is especially powerful for managing your mood. For instance, there's a strong correlation[4] between low levels of B12 and increased rates of anxiety and depression.

Does B12 help your hair grow?

One of those vital nutrients is B12, also known as cobalamin. B12 promotes healthy hair growth by assisting in the production of oxygen-rich red blood cells, which feed hair follicles.

Can B12 cause nerve damage?

People who are vitamin B-12 deficient may not produce enough myelin to coat their nerves. Without this coating, nerves can become damaged. Problems are more common in the nerves in the hands and feet, which are called peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerve damage may lead to tingling in these parts of the body.

Can B12 cause high blood pressure?

We found that a higher intake of vitamin B12 was associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure and a higher intake of folic acid was associated with lower systolic blood pressure in children.

How long does it take B12 to get out of your system?

If a person stops consuming the vitamin, the body's stores of this vitamin usually take about 3 to 5 years to exhaust. People should not take high doses of vitamin B12 as a cure-all, but otherwise the vitamin does not appear to be toxic; consuming excess amounts of B12 is not recommended.

Can B12 cause high cholesterol?

Three independent clinical studies of women (i) non-pregnant at child-bearing age, (ii) in early pregnancy, and (iii) at delivery showed that low vitamin B₁₂ status was associated with higher total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and cholesterol-to-HDL ratio.