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Wouldn't it be wonderful if we ate an ideal diet, went to the gym and got plenty of rest each day? Busy schedules can cause burn-out, and you aren't alone. Of course diet and exercise are important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But good nutrition is certainly key as well. If you don't mind a little pinch, vitamin shots are an excellent way to increase your body's natural health. 

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Vitamin shots improve your body's ability to heal, boosts your immune response, helps to regulate sleep, promote energy level and overall well-being. 

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Celebrity skin care expert Nurse Jamie says of these injections: “Studies reveal that over 90 percent of people are deficient in at least one or more nutrients.” Among the nutrients she mentions are Vitamins B12, C, D, E, and A, as well as calcium, iron, fiber, and potassium. She continues, “It’s easier for our bodies to absorb liquid vitamins than their counterpart, pills.”   - Next Health

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By far the most popular type of vitamin shot is Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble molecule that’s essential for a variety of body functions. Among other things, it’s required for good brain health, DNA production, and the production of red blood cells.

Vitamin B12 bonds easily to cobalt, which in turn is stored easily in the liver. As such, even if someone’s diet is deficient, it can take years for symptoms to develop.

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One reason many people need B12 supplements is that B12 is only naturally found in animal products like meat and dairy. Only 6 micrograms per day is recommended, but that’s going to be a challenge if you’re vegetarian or vegan. As a matter of fact, studies show that as many as 90 percent of vegetarians and vegans may have a Vitamin B12 deficiency.

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But even if you eat a lot of meat and dairy, you might not be in the clear. The reason for this is that Vitamin B12 doesn’t absorb easily into the body on its own. Instead, it has to bind to a protein in your stomach called “intrinsic factor.” Intrinsic factor bonds easily both to Vitamin B12 and molecules in your blood, so it allows the vitamin to be absorbed.

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For most healthy people, this isn’t a problem. However, there are a number of risk factors that can reduce the amount of intrinsic factor in your gut. People who suffer from intestinal diseases, such as Crohn’s or celiac, fall into this category. Similarly, if you’ve had any intestinal surgery, your risk may be higher. The risk is also higher for the elderly, since we produce less intrinsic factor as we get older.

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A Vitamin B12 deficiency is no joke. But you also shouldn’t panic just because you have one — or more! — of these risk factors. The only way to know for sure whether you have enough B12 is to get a blood test and go over it with your doctor. Please don’t panic just because you read something on the internet. Take a deep breath, and talk to your doctor about any concerns

Regardless, vitamin shots are the most common treatment for a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Because the vitamin is injected directly into your muscle, any intestinal issues will not be a concern. Depending on their exact needs, some people take a standalone B12 injection, while others take a complete B-vitamin cocktail.

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B12 is only one of many vitamins that can be taken via injection. Other popular injection vitamins include Vitamins C, B1, B2, B5, and B6, as well as amino acids and other goodies.

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Keep in mind that there’s always the possibility of getting too much of a good thing. For instance, water is just about the healthiest thing you can drink, and even too much water can be dangerous. For that reason, it’s important to consult with a doctor, nurse, or nutritionist when taking any type of powerful supplement.

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The risk of overdose is higher with fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. This is because they take a long time for the body to process and excrete. Water-soluble vitamins, on the other hand, pose a lower risk because they can be excreted relatively quickly.

In addition, there are other factors that can increase the risk of complications.

Diabetics with unstable blood sugar, for instance, should always consult with a doctor before taking any vitamin shot. Similarly, anyone who’s going to take a Vitamin C injection should be tested for a genetic disorder called G6PD, which can cause red blood cells to become damaged after an injection.

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Another risk of any type of injection is bleeding or burning/pain at the injection site. This isn’t unique to vitamin injections. It’s just the nature of sticking a needle into your skin. This is one area where being diabetic can actually work to your advantage. If you’re already used to giving yourself insulin injections, getting a vitamin injection will be second nature.

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As you can see, if you want to safely take vitamin shots, it’s important to partner with a professional. 

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