What Is Vitamin B12?

Discover All About Vitamin B12 And How You Can Get Enough.

Vitamin B12 is one of the eight B vitamins. It normally goes by the name of vitamin B12 however, it also has the name of cobalamin.

This vitamin is important for a number of reasons. Here we share why you need vitamin B12 and how you can get enough every day.

Why Do We Need Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 helps to release energy from food and also helps with normal energy release. Because of this, vitamin B12 is associated with the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Vitamin B12, along with folic acid, contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism, an important factor in heart health. In fact, for the body to use folate, vitamin B12 is needed.

Vitamin B12 also contributes to the normal function of the immune system and helps to support the nervous system. It contributes to normal psychological function too.

How Much Vitamin B12 Do We Need?

The UK’s Department of Health recommends that adults get 1.5μg a day of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is measured in micrograms (µg). Of course, many experts believe there are times when higher levels of vitamin B can be beneficial. A supplement can help safeguard those levels.

The foods that contain the highest amounts of vitamin B12 include meat, fish and dairy foods so it does mean that vegans or those who don’t eat animal foods, may not get enough vitamin B12 as it isn’t found naturally in foods such as fruit, vegetables and grains.

What Are The Best Food Sources Of Vitamin B12?

Below are various foods to include in your diet to help maintain levels of vitamin B12.

• Clams - 98.9μg per 100g
• Tuna - 10.9μg per 100g
• King Crab - 15.4μg per crab leg
• Beef - 7.5μg per 100g
• Fortified Cereals - 6.1μg per ¾ cup
• Fortified Soy Milk - 1.2μg per 100g
• Fortified Tofu - 1.5μg per 100g
• Low Fat Milk - 0.5μg per 100g
• Swiss Cheese - 3.1μg per 100g
• Eggs - 0.6μg per one egg

Our Best Supplements Containing Vitamin B12

Some experts believe there are times when higher levels of vitamin B can be beneficial; a supplement can help safeguard those levels.

Vitabiotics Ultra Vitamin B Complex includes all eight of the essential B vitamins. It is ideal for vegetarians, vegans, the over 50s, athletes and those with hectic lifestyles or anyone simply wanting an extra nutritional boost.

Wellman Energy effervescent tablets contain 16 nutrients including vitamin B12. Wellman Energy also contains vitamin B6, magnesium and vitamin B3 as well as iron, which supports normal oxygen transport in the body. Vitamin B5 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Wellwoman Energy is also an advanced effervescent formula providing 13 nutrients including vitamin B12 and Guarana. These effervescent tablets include vitamin B6 and vitamin B1, magnesium and iron which contribute to normal energy release.

Gummies are ideal for those who don’t like swallowing tablets. Wellman Gummies provide comprehensive nutritional support. Each orange flavour chewable gummy is packed with 22 nutrients, including vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and vitamin B5.

Wellwoman Gummies are packed with 22 nutrients including vitamin B12. These gummies also contain vitamin B6, which contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity, plus Starflower oil and Evening Primrose oil.

For the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, Feroglobin Capsules, from the UK’s number 1 iron supplement brand, provide vitamin B12. They also contain vitamin B6 and 17mg of iron per capsule.

For those who don’t like tablets, Feroglobin Liquid Plus is an advanced formula. It contains the same nutrients as found in Feroglobin Liquid including vitamin B12, iron and folate, as well as vitamin D which contributes to the normal function of the immune system. Plus, Siberian Ginseng, Co-Q10, L-carnitine, Green Tea and Beetroot extracts.

Neuromind Original contains vitamin B12 to help support healthy cognitive function, as well as vitamin B5, which contributes to normal mental performance.

Neuromind Plus provides even greater support. Along with the nutrients found in Neuromind Original, it also provides an Omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) capsule containing 300mg of DHA. DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function.