When youre looking for help managing your weight, it can be tempting to hit the vitamin aisle for a quick fix to slim down. Vitamin B12, in particular, has gotten a lot of attention lately as a weight loss supplement. In fact, proponents of vitamin B12 injections say the shots give you more energy and boost your metabolism. But is there any truth to this claim?

While theres no doubt that good nutrition both in terms of the foods you eat and the supplements you take is a powerful tool for achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight, its not so clear cut. Heres why: Theres no one magic vitamin that will lead to weight loss. But if youre deficient in a vitamin (such as B12) that plays a role in metabolism and energy, then yes, it could help you shed some unwanted pounds.

Here, we dug into the latest research to help you understand what can and cant be a weight-loss aid.