Should You Take A Vitamin B12 Supplement?

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that helps keep the body healthy. It works with other B vitamins to help support normal energy levels, DNA synthesis, maintain adequate red blood cells, nerve function, and a strong immune system.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a condition where the body doesn’t have enough vitamin B12. It can cause tiredness, weakness, weight loss, anemia and other symptoms.

An estimated 3.2% of adults ages 50 or older have very low B₁₂ levels, and up to 20% may have borderline deficiency. Aging is often the cause. “We tend to produce less stomach acid as we get older. That makes it harder to extract B₁₂ from food,” says Dr. Meir Stampfer, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Vegetarians are more likely to be low in vitamin B12 because they avoid most or all foods of animal origin.

 

 

 

 

Natural sources of vitamin B12

 

Vitamin B12 is found in large amounts in animal products, fortified foods, and dietary supplements. Some of the richest sources are liver, beef, sardines, clams, beef, liver, chicken, eggs, low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese.

While some of the best sources  – such as liver and shellfish – may be off limits to those with dietary restrictions, there are other natural foods that are loaded with this important nutrient.

If you’re a vegan, vegetarian or simply don’t eat meat, you may be at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency. For vegetarians, fortified cereals, soy products and dietary supplements offer plenty of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 supplements should be taken as a supplement to meals. Since this vitamin is not found in foods that are naturally rich in it, the body has to rely on other sources like animal sources or through supplements.

 

If you cannot take enough vitamin B12 from food alone, you need to take a dietary supplement with vitamin B12.

 

 

Some of the Best Vitamin B12 Supplements of 2023

 

Pure Encapsulations B12 Liquid

 

Everything you need in a supplement, and nothing you don’t. What makes Pure Encapsulations products different is the promise of goodness that goes into every one of our supplements – tested to ensure they are free from unnecessary additives and many common allergens. The liquid form is easily absorbed and digested.

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HUM Nutrition B12 Turbo

 

This turbo-charged vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO vitamin B12 supplement with calcium for women provides crucial support for energy levels and mood balance.

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Nature’s Bounty Vitamin B12

Nature’s Bounty Vitamin B-12 tablets are a product of nearly 50 years of dedication to quality, consistency, and scientific research to make vitamins and nutritional supplements of unrivaled excellence.

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Care/of  Vitamin B12

 

Important supplement for vegans and vegetarians, formulated with three types of active B12. In addition to three active forms of B12, Care/of  Vitamin B12 uses a natural soluble fiber and prebiotic, acacia. Acacia is a natural and nutritive processing aid derived from acacia trees in Africa. Care/of  Vitamin B12 is formulated with no unnecessary additives or fillers.

 

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OLLY Daily Energy Gummy

 

These delicious OLLY gummies are naturally flavored with tropical passion, with no artificial colors or flavors and are gluten free.

B12 is essential for the production of cellular energy. CoQ10 helps support your mitochondria, the energy producing structures that keep your cells powered up and Goji Berry is a super food to help maintain a steady flow of energy

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Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw B12

 

Garden of Life plant based B 12 vitamin includes a raw probiotic and enzyme blend for digestive support and vegetable blend for additional nutritional support. Garden of Life B12 vitamin is raw, gluten free, dairy gree, with no binders or fillers.

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Ritual Essential for Women 18+

 

Essential for Women Multivitamin 18+ is the multivitamin reimagined with 9 key nutrients for women 18-49. This patented  formula includes Vitamin D3 made from sustainably-sourced lichen found in the UK – for bone support, Omega-3 DHA from microalgae discovered in Nova Scotia – for heart support, Vitamin B12 in a biologically-active form from Connecticut – for brain support, and gentle, chelated Iron from Utah – for blood-building support. USP Verified & Non-GMO Project Verified.

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