Medicines for the control of overweight and weight loss with the use of vitamin B12 shots are gaining importance. The Vitamin B12 in human beings is maintained as two active coenzymes in the cells: methylcobalamin and deoxyadenosylcobalamin. Deoxyadenosylcobalamin (deoxyadenosyl b12) is a cofactor for the mitochondrial mutase enzyme, of the kerb’s cycle that catalyzes the isomerization of L-methylmalonyl CoA to succinyl CoA. This step may be the reason for the usage of B12 shots for weight loss because this step is an important reaction in carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism. This is a destructive process (catabolism) of the fats, carbohydrates and amino acids, which could help in weight loss.
Lipotropic compounds containing Vitamin B12 has extremely low toxicity and even taking it in enormous doses appears not to be harmful to healthy individuals. The standard therapy for treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency has been intramuscular (IM) injections of vitamin B12 in the form of Methylcobalamin or hydroxocobalamin (OHCbl). Outside of the United States, OHCbl is most generally used for vitamin B12 replacement therapy and is considered the “drug of choice” for vitamin B12 deficiency by the Martindale Extra Pharmacopoeia (Sweetman, 2002) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Model List of Essential Drugs. This preference for OHCbl in many countries is due to its long retention in the body and the need for less frequent IM injections in restoring vitamin B12 (cobalamin) serum levels. Furthermore, IM administration of Methylcobalamin or OHCbl are also the preferred treatment for pediatric patients with intrinsic cobalamin metabolic diseases; vitamin B12 deficient patients with tobacco amblyopia due to cyanide poisoning; and patients with pernicious anemia who have optic neuropathy.
