Vitamin B12 has been conclusively proven to be an essential nutrient that helps with many different functions in the body, especially in respect to the healthy creation and maintenance of cells. Despite its proven value in many instances, the vitamin is also a very popular supplement and as such many more exaggerated claims have been made about its potential benefits. Some of these claims are based on sound science, while many others are based on bad logic or word play as opposed to anything substantive. In respect to Vitamin B12 shots being an effective anti-aging treatment, this is factually true and there are real anti-aging benefits related to the body’s homocysteine levels low. However this has also been the subject of some false claims based on people’s perceived notion of what “anti-aging” means.

As the body ages, many people develop increased levels of homocysteine, which has been directly associated with a myriad of major ailments like various vascular diseases (including stroke), osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and hyperthyroidism. Studies have confirmed that taking large doses of folic acid, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12 help to lower homocysteine levels and therefore reduce the likelihood of many of these more serious conditions developing. As increased homocysteine levels are related to aging, in this respect taking Vitamin B12 supplements is indeed and anti-aging agent. However, based on this general claim of being an effective anti-aging treatment, further claims have been made arguing that it helps with others things commonly associated with aging, such as skin tone and the like. There is absolutely no basis to the claim that taking a Vitamin B12 shot provides any cosmetic anti-aging benefits.

Maintaining low homocysteine is an important consideration for older people and though all of the mechanics are not understood, the fact that there is a direct correlation between increased homocysteine levels and serious age related ailments argues that it is a good idea to keep these levels low. Further, there is no negative effect from taking supplementary Vitamin B12 for most people, so taking Vitamin B12 shots as an anti-aging treatment has no real downside. However, it is important to realize how the nutrient acts as an anti-aging agent. You should not expect your facial wrinkles to be affected and the like, the anti-aging support is purely internal.