Liquid Vitamin B12: Dosage, Benefits, and More
Your body needs Liquid Vitamin B12 for maintaining metabolism, producing DNA and red blood cells, keeping the nervous system healthy, and more. Fortunately, most people get enough of this water-soluble nutrient from their diet.
However, some groups of people might require more than what they get from food, such as:
- older adults
- those who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- those who eat a vegan or vegetarian diet
- those with digestive issues
- people taking certain medications
If you fall into any of these categories, you might consider taking a Liquid Vitamin B12 supplement — and you may wonder if a liquid form is the way to go.
This article reviews liquid Vitamin B12’s benefits, side effects, dosage information, and more.
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- Types of Liquid Vitamin B12
Naturally occurring Liquid Vitamin B12 is mostly found in animal foods, including meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy products. Some grains, like breakfast cereals and nutritional yeast, are also fortified with the nutrient. On the contrary, liquid Vitamin B12 supplements are made synthetically in laboratories using microbes and other chemical processes. They’re made by combining the element cobalt with other compounds, like derivatives of cyanide and methane.
Another name for Liquid Vitamin B12 is cobalamin. Synthetic Liquid Vitamin B12 supplements usually have cobalamin in their name.
The most common types of Liquid Vitamin B12 supplements are:
- cyanocobalamin
- methyl cobalamin
- hydroxocobalamin
- adenosylcobalamin
Of these, cyanocobalamin may be considered the most synthetic, as it has a different chemical composition than naturally occurring Liquid Vitamin B12. The other three are chemically identical to the Liquid Vitamin B12 that’s found in foods. Still, when used in supplements, they’re produced in a lab rather than being isolated from natural sources.
Symptoms of B12 deficiency
Your body requires Liquid Vitamin B12 for important functions, like metabolism, production of blood cells, and brain health. Deficiencies of the nutrient can cause a range of mild to severe side effects. Liquid Vitamin B12 blood levels of 200 Pico moles per liter (pmol/L) or below are typically considered low, though diagnosing a true deficiency can be complicated.
If you worry you might be deficient, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional.
Liquid Vitamin B12 Deficiencies Can Cause Symptoms:
- skin discolorations
- irregular heartbeat
- gait, or abnormal walking motions
- glossitis, which is swelling of the tongue
- numbness in the hands and feet
- acute psychosis
- dementia-like symptoms
- irritability
- infertility
In many cases, it can take years for these types of symptoms to appear.
Uses of Liquid Vitamin B12 Supplements
In severe cases of malabsorption or in people with risk factors for Liquid Vitamin B12 deficiencies, a liquid supplement could help prevent deficiency and associated symptoms. It may even have a few additional health benefits.
Used to treat anemia
Liquid Vitamin B12 is crucial to your body’s production of red blood cells. When the body is unable to produce as many healthy red blood cells as it needs, which is often the case with a Liquid Vitamin B12 deficiency, it leads to a condition called anemia. Anemia makes you feel weak and fatigued. Severe cases can even damage the heart and nervous systems. Oral Liquid Vitamin B12 supplements are a common and effective way to normalize B12 blood levels and prevent Liquid Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
Could Boost Energy Levels in Cases of Deficiency
It’s commonly claimed that Liquid Vitamin B12 improves energy levels. In theory, this statement does have some truth behind it. Liquid Vitamin B12 helps your body metabolize food and turn it into energy. What’s more, Liquid Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause anemia, which is associated with lower energy levels. So, if you’re deficient in Liquid Vitamin B12, taking a supplement could help you feel more energetic.
However, if you’re already getting enough of the vitamin from your diet, it’s unlikely that you’ll notice any changes to your energy levels by taking a Liquid Vitamin B12 supplement.
