Getting Vitamin B12 Shots For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Many patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome have found a certain amount of relief through the administration of vitamin B12 shots. Vitamin B12 is one of the water soluble vitamins that helps to maintain the nervous system, skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver; as well as being involved in the formation of S-adenosylmethionine which is involved in mood and immune function.

Immunesupport.com had the following study on their webpage on chronic fatigue syndrome: “A study of 12 women who fulfilled the criteria for both fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome found that, in all the patients, the homocysteine levels were increased in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). There was a significant positive correlation between CSF homocysteine and B12 levels and fatigue-ability, as rated on the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale. The authors concluded that ‘increased homocysteine levels in the central nervous system characterize patients fulfilling the criteria for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.’ They also noted that B12 deficiency caused a deficient remthylation of homocysteine. Therefore a vitamin B12 deficiency can be considered a contributing factor to the higher homocysteine elevations found in these patient groups. (Regland et al, 1997).”

DrMyhill.co.uk considers the administration of vitamin b12 shots as an integral part of any treatment for people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. “what is interesting is how B12 is beneficial in so many patients with fatigue, regardless of the cause of their CFS, and suggests that there is a common mechanism of chronic fatigue which B12 is effective at alleviating.” They go on to say how Prof. Martin Pall has conducted studies showing that high levels of nitric oxide tend to be responsible for many of the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome while vitamin B12 is a powerful nitric oxide scavenger.

In addition “studies have demonstrated that people with CFS/FMS are often deficient in many of the B vitamins, which tends to worsen their symptoms of fatigue and mental ‘fogginess’ and ultimately leads to a weakened immune system”

In order to help combat chronic fatigue syndrome administration of vitamin B12 shots every two weeks is recommended. Although more research is required in this area it has been shown that vitamin B12 deficiency is linked to high levels of homocysteine which lead to fatigue-ability and that the administration of vitamin B12 shots has been beneficial in treating many patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.