What is the best Vitamin B12 supplement?
Estimated read time: 4,2 minutes.
Many people suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency, especially vegetarians and vegans, and this should prompt them to take action. Specifically, they should choose to find and take the best vitamin B12 supplement , so that their health does not suffer.
If you have this deficiency, don't worry. Below, we will tell you what you should take into account when choosing the supplementation you need, within the wide range of possibilities that you will find on sale. Take note.
What is vitamin B12?
The first thing you need to know is what vitamin B is , and specifically what vitamin B12 is . Vitamin B12 is a vitamin that, like all the vitamins in the B group, is very important for the body. The reason is that, among other things, it is essential in the formation of red blood cells. But we cannot overlook the fact that it also contributes to the metabolism of proteins and to the nervous system being in perfect condition.
Furthermore, it also plays a significant role in the formation of DNA and in preventing the so-called megaloblastic anemia.
As a general rule, people get this nutrient from animal products, which are rich in it. We are referring to foods rich in vitamin B such as fish, meat, eggs and dairy products. And based on this premise, we find that vegans and vegetarians are the ones who are most deficient in B12, because they do not eat them. Hence, they are the ones who most need to take a supplement to incorporate it into their body.
However, it is also common for people with a deficiency of this mineral to suffer from seborrheic dermatitis, arthritis and others. It is also common for people with intestinal diseases to suffer from this problem.
How to choose the best vitamin B12 supplement?
If you have a B12 deficiency and need to take a supplement, you will find that there are a wide variety of them on the market. So you may be wondering, how do I choose the best one? Well, to find the one you need and the one that is best for you, you should take into account the following factors:
Your way of administration
Essentially, vitamin B12 supplements are divided into two groups: injectable and oral. Many people prefer to opt for the former, thinking that they are more effective than the latter, but they are wrong. Either option offers the necessary doses to combat and eliminate the aforementioned deficiency.
Therefore, based on these principles, it is best to opt for those that are taken orally. Of course, they are easier to use and avoid the pain of the injection.
Its chemical form
Likewise, it is important for you to know that the supplements we are discussing can be found in various chemical forms. This would be the case, for example, of adenosylcobalamin, which is expensive; hydroxocobalamin, which has to be injected; and methylcobalamin. The latter, for example, should only be chosen under medical supervision and in severe cases, such as for people with kidney or liver diseases.
So, which is the most recommended chemical form? Without a doubt, cyanocobalamin. Why? For several important reasons, among which we can highlight that it is the most common, that it is the one with the most affordable price and that it is the most studied and known, so its functioning and dosage are perfectly known. The latter clearly means that it is the safest.
In addition, it has the advantage that it can be stored for a long time without losing its properties and can even be taken for very long periods without causing any problems.
Your recommended dosage
Similarly, when choosing the best vitamin B12 supplement, it is also necessary to take into consideration another factor: the dosage to be taken. There are weekly and daily doses.
Well, the most recommended option is the weekly one. This is because, above all, it guarantees excellent absorption of the aforementioned vitamin by the body and is considered safer. Specifically, with this one you should take 2000 mcg per week, either once or twice.
The daily option, however, should only be chosen in very specific cases and following medical guidelines. This is not the most advisable option because it is more expensive, because its absorption is not as certain and because it is more cumbersome to be aware of taking it every day. However, those who choose this option should know that they have to choose a supplement with a daily dose of between 50 and 100 mcg, no more.
Its components
In addition, when looking for the B12 supplement we are looking at, we must also look at its composition. The best one is the one that is made up of pure supplements, that is, one that has the least amount of additives possible.
You now have the keys to finding the perfect vitamin B12 supplement you need . Thanks to them, you will make a good choice.
