Frequently Asked Questions
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) is an important, water-soluble vitamin, and one of the eight essential B vitamins. It is mostly found in animal foods, including cheese, beef and salmon, and is added to certain fortified vegan foods.
Read about vitamin B12 in our guide What Is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B is good for supporting a number of different functions within the body. The best known of these is the fact that vitamin B12 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. B12 also supports the normal function of the immune system, normal red blood cell formation and normal psychological function.
Vitamin B12 contributes to many essential functions within the body, including the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, normal energy-yielding metabolism and normal red blood cell formation. Vitamin B12 also plays a role in the normal function of the immune and nervous systems, normal psychological function and the process of cell division.
Vitamin B12 can be obtained naturally from a number of foods. It’s primarily found in animal foods, such as beef, liver, fish, such as tuna and salmon, and eggs. Plant based sources include fortified grains, fortified plant milks and fortified yeast.
Vitamin B12 is important due to the wide range of functions it supports in the body, including supporting normal immune function, red blood cell formation and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Vitamin B12 provides a number of benefits, including contributing to:
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Normal energy-yielding metabolism
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Normal functioning of the nervous system
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Normal homocysteine metabolism
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Normal psychological function
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Normal red blood cell formation
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Normal function of the immune system
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The reduction of tiredness and fatigue
Vitamin B12 contributes to normal energy-yielding release and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. If you are looking for some extra support, then browse our range of Energy Supplements.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends a basic intake of 4μg per day is adequate, with higher levels recommended for pregnant (4.5 μg/day) and breastfeeding women (5 μg/day). Vitamin B12 can be safely taken at higher levels.
Our Ultra Vitamin B Complex provides all eight essential B vitamins, including 50 µg of B12, in a convenient daily tablet.
No, vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and folic acid (Vitamin B9) are not the same but they are two of the eight B complex vitamins. Folic acid and vitamin B12 both contribute to normal immune system function, as well as normal energy release and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Vitamin B12 contributes to normal red blood cell formation and also has a role in the process of cell division.
Vitamin B12 is advocated by experts to be taken alongside folic acid before and during pregnancy. Research suggests* that taking a daily supplement of at least 2.5µg of Vitamin B12 (the EU RDA), in addition to the recommended daily 400µg supplement of folic acid, may further reduce the risk of Neural Tube Defects. ( *Professor John Scott, Trinity College, Dublin, report for SHINE, 2012.)
Vitamin B12 is mainly found in animal and dairy produce, so B12 supplementation is especially important for women who are following vegetarian or vegan diets. Vitamin B12 and 400µg folic acid is included in all Pregnacare products. Supplemental folic acid intake increases maternal folate status. Low maternal folate status is a risk factor in the development of neural tube defects in the developing foetus. Folic acid also contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy. Ultra Folic Acid also combines 400µg folic acid with vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) is primarily found in animal foods, such as meat, fish, milk and eggs. B12 is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies found in those on a plant-based diet. Fortified foods, such as plant milks, some soy products and some breakfast cereals, are the primary food-sources in vegan diets.
Our Wellman Gummies and Wellwoman Gummies are delicious, vegan gummies packed with 22 nutrients, including 10 μg (400% NRV) of Vitamin B12.