Does B12 help your immunity?
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B12 shots are known to support the immune system. The more we learn about micronutrients, the more evidence we collect that most vitamins and trace elements have a positive impact on immune system functioning. While, ideally, our diets would provide a sufficient supply of these critical elements, it is quite common to have inadequate intake.
B12 shots can help by increasing the body’s supply of this critical vitamin. Adequate intake of vitamins B6, folate, B12, C, and E and of minteral selenium, zinc, copper, and iron are known to support the type of immune response that is mediated by Th1 cytokines (proinflammatory). The sift is away from anti-inflammatory, Th2 cell-mediated immune response. While “inflammation” is as buzz word for all things bad, in the case of exposure to an infectious agent, you want inflammation. Inflammation is the recruitment of critical cellular responses that fight infection. (1)
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is most critical for neuronal health and blood cell formation, called hematopoiesis. While overt deficiency is uncommon in the developed world, subclinical deficiency is treated with B12 shots. The triage theory posits that relative deficiencies may result in recruitment of nutrients for basic, life-sustaining functions, rather than optimal stress response, resulting in a higher risk of age-related disease development due to oxidative processes. While there is no data yet to conclusively support B12 supplementation, in isolation, as a means to combat this, these data are being collected and may support this theory. Subclinical B12 deficiency is implicated in many such age-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. (2)
The antioxidant properties of B12 are supported by most studies and supplementation via monthly injections can be an effective means of capitalizing on this benefit.
References
Wintergerest ES, Maggini S, Hornig DH. Contribution of selected vitamins and trace elements to immune function. Ann Nutr Metab. 2007;51(4):301-23.
van de Lagemaat EE, de Groot LCPGM, van den Heuvel EGHM. Vitamin B12 in relation to oxidative stress: a systematic review. Nutrients. 2019 Feb; 11(2): 482.
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