Choose the right B-12

Are all B-12's the same?

The benefits of Vitamin B12 are well documented. This very important nutrient helps support higher energy levels, emotional stability, mental clarity and more. Vitamin B12 has also been associated with lower homocysteine levels which helps lessen the risk of heart disease. You probably understand the importance of supplementing B12. Unfortunately, supplementing effectively is not as easy as going to your local drugstore and picking up a bottle. There is some basic information that you need to know before buying a b12 supplement. This is perhaps the most important consideration when choosing a b12 supplement. While regular supplements such as your multi-vitamin or b-complex vitamins might have plenty of b12, his particular vitamin is poorly absorbed by the stomach and the intestine. While it will still do some good, swallowing Vitamin B12 in pill form is not optimal.

On the other hand, when a sublingual B12 is placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve- the B12 enters the blood stream directly through the blood vessels on the lining under the tongue. This is a much more effective way to raise B12 levels in the body. There are primarily two different ingredients being used in sublingual b12 supplements. They are cyanocobalamin and methylcobalamin. The cheapest and most common option for use in supplements is cyanocobalamin. Although cyanocobalamin is a good option, the best products on the market are now using methylcobalamin as the primary ingredient. The reason for this is that the liver must convert cyanocobalamin to methylcobalamin before the body can utilize it.

Methyl B12 supplements contain the most bioavailable and active form of B-12. Since it requires no conversion by the liver, it is in a form ready to be used by the body. Expect to pay more for Methyl B12, but the increased effectiveness will make it worth the cost.