Vitamin B12
For anyone looking to increase their vitamin B12 intake, there is a huge variety of nutritional supplements on the market - from capsules to tablets, lozenges, powders, sprays and drops. Sourcing an external supply of the vitamin is especially important for anyone on a vegan diet.
Here, you can find out all about what to look for when buying a vitamin B12 preparation, and which nutritional supplements are recommended to provide that extra supply of vitamin B12.
Buy Vitamin B12 supplements online at BIOGENA
BIOGENA uses only the highest quality raw materials and optimal compositions for its vitamin B12 products. These premium vitamin B12 preparations are created by the product development experts in BIOGENA’s science team, and the capsule products are manufactured in the company's production facility in Koppl, Salzburg. Since much of the capsule production work is done by hand (semi-manufacture), the team can dispense with unnecessary auxiliary substances and additives. This philosophy means that BIOGENA vitamin B12 capsules are hypo-allergenic and therefore highly suitable for people with sensitivities.
Are the BIOGENA B12 preparations vegan?
Vitamin B12 preparations from BIOGENA are 100% vegan. By strictly avoiding any ingredients of animal origin, vegans and vegetarians can take the products with a clear conscience.
What is vitamin B12 needed in the body?
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin involved in blood formation and cell division. It also contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism, immune function, energy metabolism, and normal mental functions.
Vitamin B12 as a nutritional supplement
Certain groups of people should pay close attention to their vitamin B12 levels. These include older people and pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as vegetarians and vegans. The last group in particular is highly recommended to take a regular vitamin B12 supplement. It can also make sense to supplement vitamin B12 in other cases - but what are the options? And what else do you need to know and watch out for?
Forms of Vitamin B12: Tablets, capsules and more
Vitamin B12 is available on the market in different dosage forms. These include tablets, effervescent tablets, capsules, powder, drops, and sprays. In rare cases, vitamin B12 can also be administered by injection as part of a medical treatment. Capsule products, such as those produced by BIOGENA, can be made in large part by hand, making it possible to dispense with unnecessary additives. Fruity-tasting vitamin B12 drops are an excellent alternative for people who find it difficult to swallow capsules. They are practical and easy to integrate into your everyday routine.
What is the best way to take Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is best taken on an empty stomach or between meals. This allows the transport protein ‘intrinsic factor’, which is naturally produced in the stomach, to do its work undisturbed and actively transport vitamin B12 from the intestine into the bloodstream. However, the absorption capacity of the intrinsic factor is limited, and this active absorption pathway can be impaired by several factors. Larger amounts of vitamin B12 can also be absorbed without transporters (passive diffusion) via the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.
Bioavailability & absorption: Which vitamin B12 is most easily absorbed?
Vitamin B12 is found in food mainly as methylcobalamin, adenosylcobalamin and hydroxocobalamin. These natural forms - but especially the two active coenzyme forms methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin - are very easily absorbed by our body. Hydroxocobalamin is a precursor of the two coenzyme forms and the natural depot form of the vitamin.
Vitamin B12 dosage
Ideally, you should consult a doctor to help you determine what an adequate Vitamin B12 dosage looks like for you. Your local GP can identify your level using a special laboratory diagnostic analysis and determine your ideal Vitamin B12 dosage based on this.
Which vitamin B12 to buy?
Since nutritional supplements are usually taken on a long-term basis, when buying vitamin B12 you should opt for high-quality products that are as free as possible from unnecessary auxiliary substances and additives. Ideally, the vitamin B12 used should be available in its natural forms - i.e. in its two coenzyme forms methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin, or its storage form hydroxocobalamin - or even in a combination of both.
In conclusion: Anyone who regularly takes vitamin B12 should opt for a premium preparation that contains natural forms of vitamin B12, without unnecessary additives.
Further reading:
Mikronährstoffcoach: https://www.mikronaehrstoffcoach.com/de/at/mikronaehrstoffe/micronutrient.vitamin-b12.html , Access: 6.3.2023.
Kisters, K. 2017. Vitamin-B12-Mangel – ein wichtiger Risikofaktor. Ars Medici Dossier IV, 2017.
Obersby, D. et al. 2013. Plasma total homocysteine status of vegetarians compared with omnivores: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Nutr. 109(5):785–94.
Hughes, C. F. et al. 2013. Vitamin B12 and ageing: current issues and interaction with folate. Ann Clin Biochem. 50(Pt Nr):315–29.
Christine, C. W. et al. 2018. Vitamin B12 and Homocysteine Levels Predict Different Outcomes in Early Parkinson’s Disease. Mov. Disord. 33(5):762–70.
Pawlak, R. et al. 2014. The prevalence of cobalamin deficiency among vegetarians assessed by serum vitamin B12: a review of literature. Eur J Clin Nutr. 68(5):541–8.
Mézière, A. et al. 2014. B12 deficiency increases with age in hospitalized patients: a study on 14,904 samples. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 69(12):1576–85.
Choi, S. et al. 2023. Impact of Vitamin B12 Insufficiency on the Incidence of Sarcopenia in Korean Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Two-Year Longitudinal Study. Nutrients. 2023 Feb 13;15(4):936.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about vitamin B12
