Vitamin B12 Patch Review
Vitamin B12 is a necessary nutrient, but many individuals have trouble absorbing it through food or multivitamin supplements. Doctors may prescribe an injection of vitamin B12, but there is the danger of side effects from the shot including swelling, pain at the injection site and allergic reactions. A new product called the vitamin B12 patch can give users a boost of the nutrient that can be absorbed more easily without any of these dangerous side effects.
Many people do not get enough vitamin B12 due to a variety of factors. Vegetarians and vegans have difficulty obtaining enough of the nutrient from their diet and are recommended to take supplements. Some people have what’s known as a malabsorption syndrome, meaning that they cannot absorb vitamin B12 into their bodies even if they are eating foods that contain the nutrient. Some people do not produce enough stomach acid due to the use of acid reducing drugs, gastric bypass surgery, long term alcohol consumption or because of advanced age. Other individuals cannot break down vitamin B12 due to genetic conditions including Celiac disease and Crohns disease.
A 500 mcg oral vitamin supplement can result in absorption rates of vitamin B12 of as little as 1.8 mcg. The body frequently does not break down oral multivitamins sufficiently to provide all of the nutrients needed.
Vitamin B12 is found naturally mostly in animal products including cheese, seafood, liver and red meat. Signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency include fatigue, headaches, weakness, muscle soreness and cramps, depression, irritability, nausea and heartburn. A doctor can perform a blood test to measure a person’s levels of vitamin B12. A blood test is recommended once per year for people at risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency and once per month for individuals with chronic conditions.
Users of the vitamin B12 patch put it on for 24 hours once a week to increase their blood levels of vitamin B12. The nutrient is responsible for the circulation of red blood cells and many users of the patch get a boost of energy. The patch may also increase mental clarity and result in less moodiness or depression.
The patch delivers nutrients directly into the bloodstream transdermally at a constant rate for 24 hours. The dime sized patch can be placed on the back of the neck or behind an earlobe. By delivering B12 directly into the bloodstream the patch is able to bypass the liver, leading to a greater amount of the nutrient being available for use by the body.
The vitamin B12 patch is produced by Vita sciences. Users should put the patch on a clean dry area of skin and leave it on for 24 hours, which will deliver around 1000 mcg of B12 too the body. This is the same dosage as is found in doctor recommended vitamin B12 shots. More than one patch can be applied per week because there is no upper limit to the amount of vitamin B12 that can be ingested, but it is unlikely to produce any additional benefit.