Vitamin B12 Information and Benefits
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.
Vitamin B12 Buying Guide
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.
Make sure your choose a sublingual form of B12.
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.
Why "Methyl" Vitamin B12 is more effective.
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 effectivness will make it worth the cost.
Watch out for TV informercials.
Don't assume because a product is advertised on TV, or because it is expensive that it is better than other B12 supplements. Most nationally advertised brands use the cheaper cyanocobalamin ingredient in their product, while charging higher than normal prices.
Sublingual B12 Options from Vitabase.
| Compare Product Facts |
 Nationally Advertised Brand X |  Original Vitabase Sublingual B12 More Information |  Vitabase Sublingual Methyl B12 - More Information |
| 1000 mcg B12 | 1000 mcg B12 | 3000 mcg B12 |
| from cyanocobalamin | from cyanocobalamin | from methylcobalamin |
| 400 mcg folic acid | 400 mcg folic acid | 400 mcg folic acid |
| 25 mcg biotin | 300 mcg biotin | 300 mcg biotin |
| 5 mg Vitamin B6 | N/A | 10 mg Vitamin B6 |
| Cost $.83/day | Cost $.15/day | Cost $.34/day |
| | |
Our original Vitabase Sublingual B12 represents a great value. It costs a fraction of the cost of some highly advertised brands. It utilizes the cheaper cyanocobalamin that is found in most vitamin b12 supplements. Cyanocobalamin must be converted by the liver to methylcobalamin before it can be used by the body.
Vitabase Sublingual Methly B12, is a little more expensive than our originial Sublingual B12, but it still cost less than 1/2 the price of highly advertised products that contain the cheaper ingredients.
The Importance of Vitamin B12 to your Health.
B-Vitamins, especially Vitamin B12, are extremely important to the body. Similar to all B-complex vitamins, vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin required for normal cell activity, DNA replication, and the synthesis of the mood-influencing substance SAMe.
In combination with folic acid and vitamin B6 vitamin B12 serves to control homocysteine levels. Excessive amounts of homocysteine may increase the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease.
Vitamin B12 deficiency may result negative in hematological, neurological, and gastrointestinal conditions. The hematological systems and signs of B12 deficiency include a decrease in red blood cell count, skin discolorations, decreased energy, fatigue, shortness of breath, and palpitations. Severe B12 deficiency can also result in anemia.
Even in the absence of anemia, the neurological effects of vitamin b12 deficiency can still occur. This is especially true for the elderly. In theses cases, vitamin B12 deficiency can affect the peripheral nerves, and in later stages, even the spinal cord itself. Signs of neurological conditions caused by B12 deficiency include tingling and numbness in the extremities, loss of sensation, spacticity, Babinski's responses, visual impairment, bowel control issues, insomnia, impotence, irritability, depression, memory loss, and dementia.
Gastrointestinal effects of B12 deficiency may include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, excessive flatulence, and a burning sensation on the tongue.
Additional conditions that have been associated with vitamin B12 deficiency include anorexia, weight loss, age-related hearing loss, Alzheimer's disease, and pernicious anemia.