Vitamin B12 is known to help with red blood cell production, brain health, and DNA synthesis. A deficiency can cause fatigue, nerve damage, and neurological problems. At the same time, too much B12 is also not good!
B vitamins are water soluble, which means these vitamins leave the body once they are used. Since B vitamins are water soluble, you may be thinking, well, I can take however many I want! I would hold off on that until you speak with your licensed medical provider. Even though the body does eliminate too much of any water soluble vitamin from the body, taking too many B vitamins at one time can be dangerous. Side effects include numbness, dizziness, nausea, and liver problems, among other symptoms.
Vitamin B12 can be stored in the liver for years. This is especially important information for individuals who follow a strict vegetarian or vegan lifestyle/diet. Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal products, so taking a supplement recommended by your medical provider will help you you healthy and strong in your vegetarian/vegan life. Symptoms of B12 deficiency include anemia, fatigue, neurological disorders, and the degeneration of nerves. There are some food alternatives though if you don’t like taking supplements since some (not all) fortified foods contain B12. Be sure to read the label!
B12 comes in two forms, cyanocobalamin (synthetic found only in supplements) and methylcobalamin (naturally found in foods or supplements). There’s this big debate as to which is better. Both are absorbed and retained differently, one with better absorption, and the other with better retention. What most studies conclude is that how you absorb AND retain either is highly dependent on age and genetics. Read below for more!
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/methylcobalamin-vs-cyanocobalamin#conversion
