B12 is an essential vitamin found in abundance in animal products. That’s because it’s found in animal products in the forms of beef, chicken, and fish. However, vegans have a difficult time getting adequate amounts of this nutrient from plant sources alone. Luckily, there are a number of B12 supplements on the market that can help meet their needs. To be clear, veganism isn’t an alternative to eating meat — it’s a way of eating that emphasizes the benefits of a plant-based diet. And while vegans do not need to feed their bodies with animal products like dairy and red meat, they still need to be conscious about what they are putting into their bodies. In this article, we discuss everything you ever wanted to know about B12 supplements for vegetarians.
What is B12?
B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in many animal products like beef, pork, fish, egg yolk, and whole-wheat bread. Most importantly, it’s found in animal genomes as a natural part of muscle and liver. More specifically, it’s found within the amino acid sequence of these two proteins. B vitamins are a group of over 40 different compounds that are essential for human health. They are believed to aid in the function of over 350 different enzymes within the body. It’s important to note that there are many different forms of B vitamins, but all serve the same function — to support metabolic processes.
How Does B12 Work?
In order to get the full benefits of B12, you’ll want to consume at least 3 times the RDA (recommended daily allowance) per day. To put this into perspective, a single choline-containing drink is probably not going to meet the daily requirement. There are actually dozens of different forms of B12, with the most common being vitamin B12 polynicotinate. All forms of B12 are necessary for proper brain and nervous system function. What’s more, it’s believed that a high-quality B12 supplement can treat various types of anaemia.
Which B12 Supplement Is Right For Me?
The first step to finding the right B12 supplement for you is figuring out what yours is supposed to be. That’s because there are literally thousands of B12 products on the market. To make matters even more confusing, many of them don’t list their ingredients so you’ll have to research that specific supplement on your own. If you have no idea where to begin, consider talking to your doctor first. They’ll be able to recommend the right B12 supplement for you based on your individual health situation.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there are literally dozens of different B12
supplements on the market. To make matters worse, not all of them are created
equal. That’s why it’s critical to know what you’re putting into your body. In
this article, we’ve provided a list of the top 10 B12 vitamins and minerals you
must include in your daily supplement regimen. We hope that this guide helps
you make the right choice when it comes to picking the perfect B12 supplement
for your health.