Also known as cobalamin, vitamin B12 is a particularly important vitamin needed for your body to function properly. Not only does it support both your nervous and digestive systems, but a lack of vitamin B12 can also lead to vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia - where the red blood cells grow abnormally and can no longer function correctly.

What is vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is one of several essential B vitamins your body needs to function correctly. Each of these vitamins plays a different role within your body, with vitamin B12 responsible for a handful of important functions.

The human body cannot produce its own source of vitamin B12 or store it for long periods. Most people should get all the vitamin B12 they need from a varied diet. However, sometimes it may be necessary to boost your intake with supplements.

What is vitamin B12 good for?

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin for all people, helping to support the nervous system and the maintenance of red blood cells. However, some people would benefit more from including vitamin B12 tablets, capsules or liquids in their daily wellbeing routine.

Getting enough vitamin B12 is essential for those who are:

Over 50: As you age, it becomes more difficult for your body to absorb vitamin B12 from food effectively, so a supplement may be needed.
Pregnant: Getting enough vitamin b12, combined with folic acid (also known as vitamin B9), is said to help prevent the rise of unborn babies developing spinal or central nervous system defects.
Vegan: As vitamin B12 is most present in foods such as meat and dairy products, it is not uncommon for those who follow a vegan diet to be deficient in it.

What foods contain vitamin B12?

Whilst meat and dairy products are the highest dietary source of vitamin B12, there are some items suitable for vegetarians, vegans and pescatarians, which are rich in this essential vitamin. These include:

Shiitake mushrooms: According to recent research, mushrooms such as shiitake are said to boast a small volume of vitamin B12.
Fortified plant milk: Some plant milk, such as soy milk is processed to contain additional vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12.
Fortified breakfast cereals: Similarly, as vitamin B12 is not found naturally in grains and pulses, it is often added to products.

You can always check the back of packets to see if the product has been fortified with vitamin B12.

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