Best B12 Supplements – The List

Vitamin B12 comes in tablet, spray, lozenge, and sublingual (drop) forms. Tablets aren’t easily absorbed in your system, so it’s best to choose one of the other three forms. 

Here are our top five vitamin B12 supplements for vegans and vegetarians.

1. Future Kind B12 Supplement Spray

This spray was developed in its active vitamin B12 form, methylcobalamin. This makes the vitamin B12 have comparative bioavailability (easily absorbed) in your body. It’s gluten-free and contains no wheat, milk or soy derivatives, sugar, or starch. The reason it’s gluten-free is because vitamin B12 is a deficiency often seen in those that are gluten-free which is also associated with a decline in cognitive function.

Being delivered in spray form means the vitamin b12 is more rapidly absorbed through the blood vessels under your tongue and the linings of your cheeks. 

It’s recommended that you spray the vitamin b12 five times into your mouth, once per day, unless your physician has recommended otherwise. The good news is that the vitamin b12 has a berry flavor, so it’s pleasant on the taste buds too.

The Future Kind Vegan Vitamin B12 Supplement Spray is on the more expensive side when compared to its peers, but at 500 mcg of vitamin B12 per spray, you’re getting a good dose of B12 in your daily five sprays.

And for those who look for earth-friendly products, the Future Kind Vegan B12 Supplement Spray is made from sustainable packaging, so you don’t have to worry about your carbon footprint. 

Pros

• 500 mcg methylcobalamin vitamin B12 per use
• Delicious flavor
• Better absorption of vitamin b12
• Wheat and gluten-free
• Sustainable packaging

 Cons

• Not the cheapest vitamin b12 option on the list

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2. Live Conscious Vegan B12

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Live Conscious Vegan Vitamin B12 kicks it up a notch with a daily dose of 5,000 mcg of B12. These vitamins are delivered via a dropper, and this sublingual formula aims for maximum bioavailability of vitamin b12.

It’s a 100% methylcobalamin vitamin B12 product and is third-party tested in a randomized trial and systematic review. This gives you the peace of mind knowing that randomized controlled trials for older adults took place and that the ingredients and potency of the vitamin B12 as indicated on the label are 100% accurate.

With a citrus flavor, the vitamin b12 liquid is dairy, gluten, and soy-free. The recommended dosage of vitamin b12 is 1 ml, dropped under the tongue, per day. Be mindful that the product contains over 8,000% of your recommended daily dose of B12, so the dosage instructions should be followed clearly.

The product doesn’t have adenosylcobalamin to assist with absorption by the liver, as some others do, but it does give a great energy metabolism boost. This is because vitamin B12 helps to convert carbohydrates into glucose syrup.

Pros

• Third-party tested vitamin b12 with randomized controlled trial
• Pleasant citrus flavor
• Energy-boosting
• Maximum bioavailability of vitamin b12

Cons

• Energy boost not always experienced

Issues with dropper

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3. Creative Concept Labs (CCL) Advanced B12 Spray

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This vitamin b12 product holds its unique selling point that it’s formulated with “nano-pure, delivery-optimized water.” This means that the formulation of the water that carries the vitamin b12 delivers it directly into the bloodstream through the membranes in your mouth and throat.  

CL Advanced vitamin B12 Spray also has folic acid and vitamin B6 included, so you’re not just getting B12 from your spray. Folic acid and vitamin B6 are a part of the essential vitamins that you need to function healthily.

Folic acid contains serum folate, which helps in red blood cell production and red blood cell formation, which means the body makes healthy red blood cells and is found in certain food sources for red blood cells.

Folic acid is used to treat or prevent folate deficiency anemia and folic acid can help your unborn baby’s brain, skull, and spinal cord develop properly to avoid development problems as well as develop healthy red blood levels cells and healthy blood concentrations and plasma concentrations/plasma homocysteine concentration overall.

The daily recommended dose of this vitamin b12 berry-flavored spray is six sprays, twice daily. You can use it in the afternoon to negate that energy slump, or before a workout for a boost of energy production.

This vitamin b12 spray also improves focus and memory, so if you’re feeling a bit foggy, the CCL Advanced Vitamin B12 Spray can help.

CCL is so confident in the effectiveness of their vitamin b12 product that they offer a 60-day money-back guarantee, which we find quite comforting. You should note that this vitamin b12 product contains five different additives – xylitol, purified water, glycerine, citric acid, and berry flavor. 

This can be an issue as xylitol in the vitamin b12 spray in particular can cause stomach gassiness.

Pros

• Pleasant flavor
• Super-pure water
• Additional vitamins and other nutrients besides vitamin b12
• Helps with producing red blood cells
• Energy, metabolism booster
• Vitamin b12 can improves focus

Cons

• Additives can cause stomach issues

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4. MyKind Organics B12 Spray Raspberry

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This vitamin b12 product is a little different. In addition to 500 mcg of vitamin B12, it also contains organic food blends. These include powdered kale, broccoli, spinach, celery, cucumber, green bell pepper, green onion, beetroot, carrots, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, asparagus, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, and cherry.

These extracts help to improve the bioavailability of vitamin B12, along with having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. It’s made without binders and fillers, which lowers the risk factors of allergic reactions to any synthetic ingredients.

This vitamin b12 spray is delivered a little differently from other sprays, and its different than other nutritional supplements and serum concentrations because it’s oral compared to other ways of vitamin b12 supplementation. It’s targeted at the back of the tongue, so the epithelial cells can absorb vitamin B12 directly into the bloodstream. Because it bypasses the digestive system, all the vitamin b12 nutrition is absorbed directly into the body.

The daily recommended dose of this vitamin b12 spray is one spray per day, which delivers 500 mcg in one spray with other nutrients besides b vitamins.

This vitamin b12 product is not recommended for children. On the downside, it can get moldy quite quickly due to being wholly organic and has been known to cause headaches in some users.

Pros

• Contains multiple other nutrients besides vitamin b12
• High bioavailability of vitamin b12
• Good for allergy-sufferers
• Great taste
• No binders and fillers

Cons

• Gets moldy quickly
• Can cause headaches

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5. Country Life Methyl B12 Lozenges

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This Kosher and Halal vitamin b12 product can provide a boost of energy production, metabolism, and stamina. Because it comes in a methylated form of vitamin B12, it’s easily digestible and absorbed into the body.

The daily recommended of these vitamin b12 dietary supplements dose is one lozenge a day, which you should allow to dissolve fully in your mouth. One berry-flavored lozenge delivers 3,000 mcg of B12, along with some vitamin C and folate. 

Vitamin C boosts immunity to help in treating the common cold and a host of other infections. B12 can help to relieve physical and mental stress. Folic acid (folate) helps to support the stomach, bowel, and kidneys.

Folic acid is included in this product as folic acid has many benefits associated with it like preventing cardiovascular events and avoiding a cognitive decline in cognitive function, especially for older adults.

This Country Life vitamin b12 supplementation product is free from dairy, gluten, wheat, salt, soy, and yeast, so it’s suitable for almost any dietary requirements. 

On the downside, the vitamin b12 supplement is a little on the expensive side, and the lozenges take a while to dissolve.

Pros

• Kosher and halal
• Energy and stamina booster
• High bioavailability of vitamin b12
• Folic acid inculded in vitamin b12 supplement
• Added vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and folate
• Avoids cognitive impairment for older adults
• Relieves stress

Cons

• Quick pricey
• Lozenges take a while to dissolve

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The Vitamin B12 Need-To-Know Guide

Do Vegans Really Need Vitamin B12 Supplements?

Vegans need to pay attention to their vitamin B12 levels. This is because vitamin b12 is mostly found naturally in animal foods and animal products, including meat, eggs, and dairy products.

Most vegans consume just enough vitamin B12 through cereals, yeast extracts, and soy products to not suffer serious anemia or nervous system damage. But, they’re likely not getting enough vitamin b12.

“Just enough” vitamin b12 doesn’t make for a healthy body, and the systems that need vitamin B12 to function at their optimum won’t be able to do so if you’re vitamin B12 deficient.

While the daily recommended vitamin B12 intake for adults who consume animal products like meat and vegetables is 1.5 mcg, the daily recommended vitamin b12 intake for vegans is 10 mcg per day. This is to make up for the lack of natural vitamin B12 sources obtained through your daily diet.

Signs Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Here are some of the signs to look out for that could give you a heads-up that you may be vitamin B12 deficient.

• Numbness and tingling in the hands, legs, and feet
• Pernicious Anemia
• Celiac Disease
• Foggy brain, and difficulty thinking
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Swollen, inflamed tongue
• Difficulty walking

There are some additional concerns about vitamin B12 deficiency that you should keep in mind, like how a lack of vitamin b12 can put you at an increased risk for breast cancer, prostate cancer, celiac disease, and a decline in cognitive function. Just because everything’s smooth sailing with vitamin b12 now doesn’t mean it always will be, and it helps to know what to be on the lookout for in order to carry out healthy living.

Over 50s Are Have Higher Risk Factors

Older adults tend to eat less, which increases the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Older adults need nutritional supplements and key essential vitamins for healthy living.

Importantly, as you age, older adults can produces less stomach acid which is key for vitamin B12 absorption.

The body absorbs other b vitamins and vitamin b12 from food in a two-step process. First, hydrochloric acid in the stomach separates b vitamins from the protein that it’s attached to.

Second, the b vitamins then combines with a protein made by the stomach, called intrinsic factor, and the body absorbs the b vitamins and the intrinsic factor together.

Elderly patients even lose the ability to absorb b vitamins from natural sources, so dietary supplements, vitamin supplements/vitamin supplementation, and nutritional supplements become a must for healthy living.

Supplementation for older adults is also important because vitamin b12 can break down homocysteine to create other chemicals your body needs. When vitamin b12 is combined with folic acid, supplementation can lower plasma homocysteine levels. Homocysteine lowering b vitamins as well as homocysteine lowering interventions is something to look out for.

In a healthy person, healthy plasma homocysteine levels are 5 to 15 per liter, which converts to other proteins. if your homocysteine levels are above 50, it may damage the lining of your aretries.

Deficiency Can Be Caused By Heartburn Medications

Because heartburn medication is designed to suppress the overproduction of stomach acid and heartburn from coronary heart disease or cardiovascular disease from sugar and saturated fat, it stands to reason that some medications could affect the absorption of vitamin B12.

Research has discovered that taking vitamin b12 medications that rely on proton pump inhibitors (like Nexium and Prilosec) for more than two years was linked to a 65% decrease in the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12. 

Deficiency Can Be Mistaken For Dementia

Symptoms such as memory loss, difficulty thinking and reasoning, and disorientation are usually linked to dementia. However, these are also symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency where you lack a proper amount of vitamin b12.

Taking Birth Control Pills Can Lead To Vitamin B12 Deficiency

If you’re on birth control for a long time, it can lead to issues with absorbing vitamin B12. Higher estrogen in these pills has been linked with folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies. Folic acid and vitamin B12 are crucial to having your body and mind in tip-top shape. 

It’s also important to note that taking supplements that have been tested in a randomized controlled trial and systematic review is key to finding the best product for you while you take birth control.

Excessive Alcohol Intake Is Also A Culprit

More than the recommended maximum daily alcohol intake can lead to irritation of the stomach lining, which can affect the production of stomach acid. Also, because vitamin B12 is stored in the liver, and liver function is impaired by excessive alcohol intake, it can make it difficult for the liver to absorb the vitamin.

Which Is The Best Form Of Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is available as methylcobalamin (methyl carbon group + vitamin B12), which is a biologically active natural ingredient in vitamin B12 supplements. Alternatively, you can get it as cyanocobalamin (Cyanide + vitamin B12), which is a synthetic form of vitamin B12. 

Don’t get alarmed when you read “cyanide.” The cyanide in the vitamin b12 alternative cyanocobalamin is completely safe, even at high doses. 

Methylcobalamin vitamin b12 is better absorbed and retained in our body’s tissues than its synthetic counterpart. It’s used more efficiently by the liver, brain, and nervous system, and is also important in the metabolism of the inflammatory protein homocysteine. 

The methyl group attached to vitamin B12 helps to detoxify the liver.

Is Vitamin B12 Good for Pregnant Women?

Yes, vitamin B12 is great for pregnant women. Vitamin B12 is crucial to maintain the health of your nervous system, but it’s also believedto prevent spina bifida and other spinal and central nervous system birth defects in your baby. It’s important to also note that a lack of vitamin b12 can lead to an increased risk of a low birth weight for the baby.

Adenosylcobalamin 

Then there’s adenosylcobalamin. Also known as dibencozide, this naturally forming version of vitamin B12 facilitates liver detoxification, as well as supporting the nervous system.

The nervous system has the job of transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. This means that the nervous system controls the ability to move, breathe, see, think, as well as prevents cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment in older adults. That being said, it’s important that your nervous system is healthy to avoid cognitive impairment for your cognitive performance, especially for an older adults.

Vitamin b12 is particularly beneficial for athletes, to support branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism, and is utilized as an energy source in the Kreb’s cycle – an important function in ATP production that helps with human movement.

Too Much Vitamin B12

Can you take too much vitamin B12?

While vegans need to take more vitamin B12 than those following animals foods and animal products with a meat-based dietary intake, taking too much of vitamin b12 isn’t a great idea either.

Being water-soluble, overdosing with vitamin B12 isn’t dangerous. However, excessive dosages of vitamin b12 have been known to lead to outbreaks of acne and rosacea – a skin condition that results in redness and pus-filled bumps on the face.

There’s also evidence that suggests negative health effects of vitamin b12 to those who have diabetes or kidney problems. One study showed that older adults with diabetic nephropathy (kidney issues due to diabetes) experienced a more rapid decline in their kidney function from overdosing on vitamin B12.

Participants receiving large doses of vitamin b12 were also at an increased risk factor of coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, or even death, compared to those receiving the placebo.

B12 Supplement for Vegans FAQs

What are Cyanocobalamin and Methylcobalamin in vitamin B12?

Methylcobalamin is a naturally present form of vitamin B12 that you get from food sources or dietary supplements. Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic form of vitamin B12 that you will find in dietary supplements.  It’s important to note that intrinsic factor can treat cobalamin because the main role of intrinsic factor is to absorb vitamin b12 in the intestine to prevent pernicious anemia.

How Much Vitamin B12 Should I Take Per Day?

This depends on the micrograms of vitamin B12 in the dietary supplement you are taking, as well as your age, physiology, and whether you are vitamin B12 deficient or not.

You can have tests done to measure your vitamin B12 levels, then follow your physician’s or dietician’s guidance on dosage. You will also find vitamin b12 dosage directions on the packaging.

It’s also important to note that taking supplements that have been tested in a randomized controlled trial and systematic review is key to finding the best product for you.

Are There Natural Sources Of Vitamin B12 For Vegans?

Leafy greens are the best source of vitamin B12 for vegans and vegetarians. Spinach, kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are all fortified foods that every vegan should make sure to include in their diets and pay attention to the recommended dietary allowance/recommended dietary allowances of certain foods because they contain vitamin b12.

You can also get a good dose of vitamin B12 from some legumes like lentils, almonds, split peas, and dried beans.

B12 Supplement for Vegans FAQs

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Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.