6 of the best B12 supplements

Our bodies need a variety of vitamins and minerals to keep us healthy and functioning in the right way.

But one that is sometimes overlooked is vitamin B12.

Especially important for people following a vegetarian or vegan diet, find out some of the best B12 supplements in our guide.

In this article, you’ll find out:

• What vitamin B12 supplements are
• What B12 supplements are good for
• What causes low B12 levels
• Vegan B12 supplements
• 9 of the best B12 supplements to try
• Potential side effects
• How B12 is absorbed in the body

What are vitamin B12 supplements?

Let’s start with the basics. What are B12 supplements?

Available in a variety of formats, from traditional tablets to oral sprays – B12 supplements are a food supplement to help keep our body’s nervous system and blood cells healthy.¹

It’s often recommended to take one dose of B12 a day and preferably with a meal to help the body absorb it properly.²

For more information, consult our guide to vitamin B12 to learn about its function, food sources and deficiency.

What is vitamin B12 good for?

We’ve just touched on it briefly, but what else is vitamin B12 good for? Some of the things B12 supplements may help you with include:³

• Psychological function
• Tiredness and fatigue 

What causes low vitamin B12?

Low vitamin B12 levels can be caused by a range of factors, such as:

• Older adults without enough hydrochloric acid in their stomach for absorption
• People who have pernicious anemia
• People who have had gastrointestinal surgery
• People who have coeliacs or Crohn’s disease
• Vegetarians and vegans who consume little to no animal products⁴

Can you get vegan B12 supplements?

If you are vegan and you think you may be low in vitamin B12, don’t worry. There are a range of vegan B12 supplements available now so you can have the right intake in your diet.

6 of the best B12 supplements

If you're thinking of adding a B12 supplement to your diet, look no further. 

Whether it's a tablet, oral spray, or liquid supplement, we've rounded up the 6 top B12 supplements available today.

Potential side effects of B12 supplements

While oral vitamin B12 supplements are safe to take (following the recommended dosage on the packs) higher levels of B12 like those from injections at the doctors, may cause the following symptoms:^5,6

• May lower homocysteine levels
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness
• Hot flushes

How is B12 absorbed in the body?

Generally speaking, vitamin B12 is absorbed in the ileum of the small intestine. However for it to be absorbed properly, it must be combined with the intrinsic factor (a protein found in the stomach).^7,8

The final say

Whether you’ve been told you’re lacking in vitamin B12 by the doctor or you don’t consume animal products, thankfully there are a wide range of supplements you can take to help get your B12 levels to where they need to be.

Want to find out more about other ways to up your B12 intake? Check out our guide to 6 sources of vitamin B12 while you’re here.

Last updated: 22 June 2021