Think you’re getting enough vitamin B12? Think again. Even if you’re consuming animal products on the regular, you may still be missing out on this essential vitamin. That’s because not all B12 is created equal. While animal products like fish, chicken, and eggs are a great source of the vitamin, they also contain proteins called trogocytosis, which prevent the vitamin from being absorbed and used by the body. So, those animal products only serve to make you feel more full than they actually help you get the vitamin your body needs.
If you’re a vegan or vegetarian, it’s crucial to make sure you’re getting enough B12, especially since it’s so difficult for your body to store and replace.
Here are the best vitamin b12 supplements you should add to your shopping cart.
Our Editor’s Best Vitamin B12 Supplements Reviews
- SUPPORTS CELLULAR ENERGY HEALTH (1): Nature's Bounty Vitamin B-12 1000 mcg aids in converting food into cellular energy (1)
- CARDIOVASCULAR SUPPORT (1): Vitamin B-12 supplements contribute to the health of your cardiovascular and circulatory systems (1)
- MAINTAINS HEALTHY NERVES (1): Great for nerve health, B-12 vitamin helps maintain healthy nerve cells (1)
- EASY TO SWALLOW: These Vitamin B-12 tablets are coated so they are easy to swallow, providing convenience in your daily vitamin regimen
- TRUSTED WELLNESS: From trusted wellness experts, these B-12 Vitamins are made with quality ingredients, backed by 50 years of scientific research
- Energy metabolism support supplement(1): contains one 150 count bottle of Nature Made Vitamin B12 1000 mcg Softgels for a 150 day supply
- These Nature Made B12 1000mcg softgels help break down food into energy that your body can use all day long
- Vitamin B 12 helps support brain cell function and mood health (2)
- Vitamin B12 is important for proper red blood cell formation and helps reduce fatigue for those low in B12 vitamins
- Adults take one B 12 vitamin softgel daily with water and a meal
- Energy metabolism support supplement(1): contains one 200 count bottle of Nature Made B12 500 mcg Tablets for a 200 day supply
- These Nature Made Vitamin B12 tablets help break down food into energy that your body can use all day long
- B-12 vitamin helps support brain cell function and mood health (2)
- Vitamin B12 is important for proper red blood cell formation and helps reduce fatigue for those low in B12 vitamins
- Adults take one B 12 vitamin tablet daily with water and a meal
- Active B12: Each capsule provides 1 mg vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin, which is more efficiently used by the body compared to other forms of vitamin B12, like cyanocobalamin
- Heart & Brain Health: Supports a normal level of homocysteine in the body to benefit healthy cardiac function, blood cell formation, and optimal nerve function*
- Sleep Support: Helps maintain normal circadian rhythms to support restful sleep and supports healthy methylation processes in the body*
- Third-Party Certified: This product has been third-party tested and certified to verify what's in the package matches what's on the label and to confirm it contains no unsafe levels of contaminants
- Trusted: Thorne is chosen by champions and trusted by 100+ professional sports teams, a proud partner of U.S. National Teams, and the #1 recommended clinical brand by health-care practitioners (2023 Health-Care Practitioner Seller Survey)
- HELPS FUEL YOUR BODY (1): Nature’s Bounty Vitamin B-12 supports energy metabolism by helping the body convert food into the cellular energy (1)
- SUPPORTS HEART HEALTH (1): Taking a Vitamin B 12 supplement is a great way to support the health of your cardiovascular and circulatory systems (1)
- SUPPORTS YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM (1): Nature’s Bounty Vitamin B-12 helps to maintain healthy nerve cells, supporting nervous system health (1)
- QUALITY IS OUR PRIORITY: Nature’s Bounty is committed to the safety of all of our supplements. Our quick dissolve Vitamin B-12 tablets are gluten free, sugar free, contain no artificial flavors or sweeteners, and are suitable for vegetarians
- FROM THE TRUSTED WELLNESS EXPERTS: Nature’s Bounty Vitamin B-12 is a product of 50 years of dedication to quality, consistency and scientific research to make vitamins and nutritional supplements of unrivaled excellence
- Natural, Non-Synthetic Methyl B12: Delivers 1000 mcg of a natural, non-synthetic vitamin B12 methylcobalamin in each daily serving.
- B Complex Blend: This potent formula includes B12 vitamins 1000 mcg, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, and 20 mg of high-quality magnesium.
- Optimized Nutrition: This powerful formula supports cognitive function, enhances energy metabolism, supports healthy red blood cell production, and promotes nervous system health*
- 2-Month Supply: With 60 high-quality vegetable capsules and a suggested use of just 1 capsule per day, enjoy 60 days of our comprehensive B 12 vitamin 1000 mcg.
- Try for 30 Days: If you are unhappy with this product, reach out to us within 30 days of your purchase date and we will take care of you.
- Vitamin B12 Supplement: EZ Melts B12 are dissolvable tablets that deliver 2,500 mcg of vitamin B12 per serving for easy metabolic energy support*
- Energy Support Supplement: Supports healthy energy levels, cellular health, and natural energy production to support overall wellness*
- Brain Health Supplement: Methylcobalamin B12 is essential to help maintain focus and cognitive function, so you can stay alert when it matters most*
- Mood Support Supplement: Supports nervous system function, which helps maintain clarity*
- Non-GMO & Vegan Supplement: EZ Melts makes it easier to take superior quality vitamins—free from artificial flavors, gluten, dairy, soy, and sugar
- SUBLINGUAL B-12: Enjoy the benefits of this Essential Vitamin in delicious Natural Berry Flavor!
- POTENT FORMULA: Fast dissolve tablets feature 5,000 mcg of Vitamin B-12 as Methylcobalamin
- EXPERTLY CRAFTED: Our vegetarian formula is backed by our commitment to purity and potency
- HORBAACH MANUFACTURERS: Laboratory Tested, Trusted Ingredients, Superior Quality, 100% Guaranteed!
- NATURALLY FREE OF: Gluten, Yeast, Milk, Lactose, Soy, Artificial Flavor, Preservatives, & Non-GMO
- B12 Drops Formulated for Maximum Potency - Our Liquid Vitamin B12 Drops contain Vit B12 5000mcg, B6, B1, Niacin, and Folic Acid, supporting overall body functions with 100% or more Daily Value.
- Tons of Benefits - Experience the synergy of brain support, digestive balance, energy metabolism, heart wellness, and immune support in each drop of our Vitamin B complex liquid sublingual formula.
- Rapid Sublingual Absorption - Our Liquid B12 Drops are designed for efficient sublingual absorption. Just place the drops under your tongue for 30secs and swallow the remaining liquid. Quick and easy!
- Carefully Curated Organic Vitamin B12 Liquid - Our Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin B6 B1 Drops contain No Fillers, are Vegan, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, and proudly USA-made with Global Ingredients.
- Ultimate 5-in-1 Vitamin B12 Complex - Not all liquid supplements are made equal. Our B-12 Vitamin drops are packed with nutritional benefits. Each has 27,200 mcg. If you’re unhappy with your purchase, do reach out to us.
- Premium Folate Supplement: Vitamin B12 and folate help convert carbohydrates into energy and break down proteins in the body; provides metabolism support*
- Nervous System Support: Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) and folate (L-5-MTHF) support the nervous system, and function as hair, skin, and liver aids.*
- Cognitive Support: Folate is essential for fetal neural development; B12 is an important nutrient for memory and cognitive support*
- Supports Gut Health: Support G.I. tract thanks to the active form of the B12 vitamin, methylcobalamin; also a liver support supplement*
- Pure Difference: What we leave out matters, too; Pure Encapsulations products are free from common allergens, artificial or unnecessary ingredients, and GMOs
Best Vitamin B12 Supplements Buying Guide
Before choosing the best vitamin B12 supplement you should consider following options:
1. Measuring Vitamin B12 Levels: The most accurate way to measure vitamin B12 levels is by testing for methylmalonic acid (MMA), a breakdown product of vitamin B12. Unfortunately, this method is not readily available to most physicians and is costly.
An alternative method, although not as accurate, is to test for serum vitamin B12 levels. It is important to note that if the serum B12 level is low, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the cause is inadequate absorption of vitamin B12.
Other causes of low serum B12 levels include inadequate absorption and increased breakdown of B12.
2. Different Forms of Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 comes in several forms, including cyanocobalamin and methylcobalamin.
Cyanocobalamin is the form most often found in supplements, but is the least effective. Methylcobalamin is the most effective and is the form generally used in injections.
Hydroxycobalamin is another form that is available over-the-counter, but it is not as effective as the other forms.
3. Recommended Intake of Vitamin B12: The daily recommended intake for vitamin B12, based on the Institute of Medicine, is:
1.4 micrograms for infants 0 to 6 months old
2.0 micrograms for infants 7 to 12 months old
2.4 micrograms for children 1 to 3 years old
2.8 micrograms for children 4 to 8 years old
3.0 micrograms for children 9 to 13 years old
2.6 micrograms for adolescents 14 to 18 years old
2.8 micrograms for adults 19 to 50 years old
2.8 micrograms for adults 51 to 70 years old
2.8 micrograms for adults over 70 years old
4. Measuring Vitamin B12 Status: Although measurement of serum B12 levels can be useful for some individuals, measuring MMA levels is considered the gold standard for assessing vitamin B12 status.
5. Monitoring Response to Treatment: Monitoring the response to treatment is critical. If no response is seen, the dose of vitamin B12 may need to be increased. If a response is seen and the MMA levels drop, then the dose of B12 may need to be decreased.
6. Monitoring Potential Side Effects of Vitamin B12: Although large amounts of vitamin B12 are not toxic, some individuals may develop an upset stomach, heartburn, diarrhea, or nausea, especially if taking oral forms of B12.
If an individual is taking large amounts of B12, the doctor may check their serum B12 levels periodically to ensure they are not becoming toxic.
7. Interpreting Test Results: It is important to remember that serum B12 levels, while not as accurate as MMA levels, may be more readily available to physicians.
In addition, serum B12 levels are useful for tracking response to treatment and may be more readily available to physicians.
The Takeaway on Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the health of the nervous system and in the formation of red blood cells.
Although deficiency in vitamin B12 is rare, it is important for health care providers to monitor vitamin B12 levels in individuals who are taking medications that interfere with B12 absorption, such as metformin, proton-pump inhibitors, and antacids.
What else you should know about vitamin b12 supplements
1. What are the benefits of vitamin B12 supplements?
Vitamin B supplements provide a range of benefits, including supporting energy production, aiding in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, and helping to maintain healthy skin and hair.
2. Who should take vitamin B12 supplements?
People with poor diets or with medical conditions that interfere with vitamin B absorption
3. How much vitamin B12 should I take?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as the amount of vitamin B that an individual needs may vary depending on factors such as age, health status, and diet. However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend that adults consume between 1.1 and 1.2 milligrams (mg) of vitamin B per day.
4. What are the side effects of vitamin B12 supplements?
The side effects of vitamin B supplements are generally mild and include headache, nausea, and diarrhea.
5. Are there any interactions with other medications I should be aware of?
Yes, there are potential interactions with other medications. Be sure to discuss all medications, supplements, and vitamins with a healthcare professional before starting any new medication.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best vitamin b12 supplements. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best vitamin b12 supplements will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.