Losing weight can feel like a constant battle, especially when you're bombarded with temptations and struggling to find the energy for physical activity. Many people are turning to weight loss aids like phentermine and vitamin B12 shots, hoping for a little extra help. This article explores the science behind these treatments, their potential benefits, risks, and how they fit into a comprehensive weight loss plan.
Understanding the Basics
What is Phentermine?
Phentermine, with the chemical name phenyl-tertiary-butylamine, is an FDA-approved appetite suppressant designed to boost energy while curbing your appetite. It is a Schedule IV prescription drug used in conjunction with diet and exercise for the treatment of obesity. It's prescribed for overweight individuals with weight-related complications or obesity. As an anorectic drug, phentermine stimulates the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, increasing levels of chemicals that make you feel full and eat less.
What is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B-12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble B complex vitamin naturally found in many foods, such as meat, fish, and dairy products. It is also added to some foods and available as a dietary supplement. Vitamin B12 is required for creating new red blood cells and is necessary for the healthy functioning of nerves and the brain. It is involved in DNA synthesis, hormone synthesis, and neurotransmitter production.
How Phentermine and B12 Work Together for Weight Loss
Phentermine: Cutting Down the Cravings
Phentermine works primarily by suppressing your appetite. It belongs to a class of drugs called sympathomimetic amines, similar to amphetamines. It stimulates the central nervous system, leading to the release of chemicals in your brain that control appetite. The medication increases neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, signaling the brain that you’re full and reducing hunger. Also, Phentermine stimulates the central nervous system, giving you more energy, which can help you feel more motivated to exercise, which is crucial to losing weight.
B12 Shots: Boosting Your Energy
Vitamin B12 is essential for keeping your nerves and blood cells healthy. When taken as shots, B12 can significantly boost energy when cutting calories and might otherwise feel sluggish. Some people also believe that B12 can help speed up metabolism, aiding in weight loss.
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B vitamins, including B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), and B12 (cobalamin), are essential nutrients that play a critical role in energy production and metabolism.
How Do B Vitamins Maximize Phentermine Weight Loss?
B vitamins are critical players in converting the food you eat into energy. They help break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, ensuring your body has the energy to function correctly. This is especially important when you’re on a calorie-restricted diet and need to make the most of the nutrients you consume. Specific B vitamins, particularly B6 and B12, are involved in metabolic processes that help your body burn calories more efficiently. A faster metabolism means you’ll burn more calories even at rest, aiding in weight loss. Dieting can often lead to fatigue, making it difficult to maintain an active lifestyle. B vitamins, especially B12, are known for their energy-boosting properties. They can help combat the tiredness of calorie restriction, allowing you to stay active and burn more calories.
Expected Weight Loss and Real-World Results
Studies show an average weight loss of 3-6 lbs/month for women and 5-8 lbs/month for men when Phentermine is combined with a low-calorie diet and exercise. While B12 is essential for energy metabolism, there is no conclusive evidence that B12 shots solely aid in weight loss. However, B12 shots can significantly boost energy when cutting calories and might otherwise feel sluggish.
Most people see the most dramatic results in the first month, with common losses between 5 and 10 pounds during this time. This rapid weight loss is mainly due to significantly reduced calorie intake and water weight loss. After the initial phase, the rate of weight loss typically slows down but remains steady. People tend to lose about 1 to 2 pounds per week, which can add up to a total loss of 15 to 30 pounds over three to six months.
Benefits of Phentermine
Phentermine is one of the most commonly prescribed weight-loss drugs in the world today, with over 7 million prescriptions written every year. Studies have shown that over a period of 12 weeks, weight loss can be as much as 10% of your body weight. The control of weight-related diseases is shown to be a direct result of weight loss, rather than the effect of the phentermine. Lipid profiles also show improvement, especially in triglycerides as well as HDL cholesterol.
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Studies have shown that obese or overweight people who suffer from BED or bulimia nervosa, and have been treated with phentermine, have lost not just weight, but also seen a reduction in binge eating episodes.
Benefits of B12 Shots
Vitamin B-12 shots can improve the immune system, overall energy levels, and one’s mood. It also can lower high homocysteine levels in the body which contribute to heart disease. Vitamin B-12 injections are used for memory loss with Alzheimer’s disease. They can also help to boost energy, mood and the immune system overall, which helps to slow the aging process. Vitamin B-12 is known to lower high homocysteine levels, which contribute directly to heart disease. They also help prevent mental illness, sleep disorders, diabetes, depression, stress, fatigue, allergies, asthma, high blood pressure, heart disease, insomnia and high cholesterol.
Potential Side Effects and Risks
Phentermine Side Effects
Phentermine users frequently complain of persistent dry mouth, which can be alleviated by drinking plenty of water. Since Phentermine stimulates the central nervous system, it can make falling or staying asleep difficult. Taking the medication earlier in the day might mitigate this. You might notice your heart beating faster than usual. This is a common reaction to the medication’s stimulant effects. Some users report feelings of restlessness, anxiety, or jitteriness.
Less Common but Serious Side Effects: Phentermine can significantly increase blood pressure. Regular monitoring by a healthcare provider is crucial. Irregular or rapid heartbeats can occur, which can be concerning and require medical attention. Any chest pain should be taken seriously and reported to a doctor immediately. Difficulty breathing can be a severe side effect that warrants immediate medical attention. Some individuals may experience mood swings, irritability, or depression. These symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
B12 Shots Side Effects
It’s normal to experience some pain, redness, or swelling where the injection was given. This usually resolves on its own within a few days. Some people might experience gastrointestinal discomfort, including diarrhea, after receiving B12 shots. Allergic reactions to B12 injections are rare but possible. Symptoms might include itching, rash, or hives. Some individuals report feeling dizzy or experiencing headaches after the injection. Although extremely rare, a severe allergic reaction can occur. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, and a rapid heartbeat. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.
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Who Should Avoid Phentermine?
Phentermine can be a game-changer for many struggling with weight loss, but it’s not suitable for everyone. Certain health conditions, medications, and personal circumstances make it risky for some people.
Phentermine acts as a stimulant, elevating heart rate and blood pressure. This makes it particularly dangerous for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and severe hypertension.
People with hyperthyroidism already have an overactive thyroid gland, which accelerates metabolism and increases heart rate. Adding Phentermine to the mix can further overstimulate the system, leading to increased heart rate, anxiety, and other severe symptoms.
Glaucoma is characterized by increased pressure in the eyes, which can damage the optic nerve. Since Phentermine can raise blood pressure, it may also increase intraocular pressure, worsening the condition and potentially leading to vision loss.
Phentermine has the potential for abuse and dependency. If you have a history of substance abuse, using Phentermine can lead to addiction. It’s crucial to explore other weight loss methods that do not carry this risk.
Phentermine is not safe for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It can harm the developing fetus or the nursing infant. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, you should avoid Phentermine.
Phentermine can interact dangerously with some medications, including MAO inhibitors, other stimulants, and certain antidepressants.
Phentermine stimulates the central nervous system, which can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety and restlessness. If you suffer from severe anxiety or agitation, Phentermine might worsen your condition, making it unsuitable for you.
Even if you don’t have other heart conditions, uncontrolled high blood pressure is a significant risk factor. Phentermine can further elevate blood pressure, leading to dangerous complications.
Who Might Benefit from Vitamin B12 Injections?
If a client has a vitamin B12 deficiency, they might benefit from an injection. Megaloblastic anemia is one such deficiency, a macrocytic anemia that causes bone marrow to create very large red blood cells. Most people do get enough of this vitamin in their diet. Yet, a deficiency exists in as many as 43% of older adults. A deficiency in this vitamin can create a variety of symptoms, among them are fatigue, dizziness, and muscle weakness. It can also result in confusion and personality changes.
Those most at risk of low levels include:
- People who don’t consume enough vitamin B12 in their diet
- People diagnosed with pernicious anemia
- People who’ve had gastric surgeries
- People with intestinal issues, such as celiac or Crohn’s disease
People following a vegetarian diet are especially at risk of deficiency because vitamin B12 is primarily in animal-based foods.
When B12 Shots for Weight Loss Are Not Recommended
Vitamin B12 injections aren’t for everyone. In some cases, a vitamin B12 shot can interfere with other medications, causing them to be ineffective. A B12 shot is also not recommended for people with Leber’s disease, a disease that causes a loss of vision. It's also important to talk to your doctor first if you:
- Have kidney or liver disease
- Have any type of infection
- Are receiving treatment that affects bone marrow
Vitamin B12 Injection Safety
If a client decides that they want to try B12 shots for weight loss, they should get the shots from a reputable provider, such as their doctor or a medical weight loss clinic. Older research indicates that 1,000 micrograms per injection helps reduce vitamin B12 deficiency. It also suggests getting five or six injections bi-weekly to “load” the body, followed by once-monthly B12 injections to help maintain healthier B12 levels.
Some people experience side effects with a vitamin injection, including abdominal pain, chest pain, cough, dizziness, eye pain, irregular heartbeat, ringing in the ears, and weight gain. If a client has side effects after a B12 injection, they should talk to their doctor.
How to Increase Vitamin B12 Without an Injection
Clients can increase their vitamin B12 level without an injection by adding certain foods to their diet. Foods that are rich in vitamin B12 include:
- Fish (salmon, trout, tuna, and sardines)
- Shellfish (clams)
- Organ meat (liver and kidneys)
- Beef
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Fortified cereal
Alternatives to Phentermine and B12 Shots
While phentermine and B12 shots can be effective for weight loss, there are other options to consider. Semaglutide, for example, is another medication that can lead to more substantial weight loss compared to Phentermine. Clinical trials have shown that patients on Semaglutide can lose up to 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks, whereas Phentermine users typically see an average loss of 5-10% of body weight over a shorter period. Unlike Phentermine, Semaglutide can be used long-term.
Other medications, such as Vyvanse and Bupropion, can also aid in weight loss by addressing issues like binge eating and emotional eating. Non-invasive treatments like Zerona Z6, a cold laser for fat loss, are also available.
The Importance of a Holistic Approach
Phentermine is most effective when used as one component of a comprehensive plan, including dietary changes, physical activity, and continuous medical supervision. A balanced meal plan can provide the nutrients clients need to support a healthy weight loss journey.