LifestyleThe GuardianTired all the time? What to know about B12 and if it actually boosts energy levels
B12 shots are trendy at med spas but experts say they only boost energy if you are actually deficient, which most people are not.
Med spas are raving about vitamin B12 shots as a pick-me-up. But do they actually make you feel more energized? If you spend time on social media, you may have seen med spa owners and employees describing vitamin B12 shots as a pick-me-up . When they’re run down or facing a busy week, they say, a qu
Med spas are heavily promoting vitamin B12 injections as an energy booster, fuelled by social media posts from spa owners and staff.
Only about 4 per cent of US adults actually have low B12, and deficiency is more common in people over 60 or those on metformin or acid-reducing medications.
Experts say extra B12 is unlikely to help if your levels are already normal, so a blood test before paying for shots is the sensible first step.
If you are over 60, take metformin or acid-reducing meds long-term, or follow a vegan diet, ask your GP to test your B12 levels before spending on shots.
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