Vitamin B12 is absolutely essential to our health. While our bodies are able to store it for quite a long time, regular consumption of B12 is the best way to ensure you don’t become deficient. B12 is absorbed most efficiently when you have small amounts frequently, rather than less frequent larger doses.

“In people who can absorb vitamin B12, small amounts (in line with the recommended dietary intake) and frequent (daily) doses appear to be more effective than infrequent large doses, including intramuscular injections.”
Vitamin B12 and vegetarian diets by Carol L Zeuschner, Bevan D Hokin, Kate A Marsh, Angela V Saunders, Michelle A Reid and Melinda R Ramsay, The Medical Journal of Australia

What is vitamin B12?

Very simply, vitamin B12 is not actually a single vitamin but the name given to a group of specific water-soluble vitamins which all contain cobalt, and is the only metabolite ( a substance produced during metabolism) to contain cobalt.

No plant or animal can produce B12. It is produced by certain bacteria, and while we do have some bacteria in our intestines that are capable of producing B12, it’s not currently known how much is produced or how well it is able to be absorbed. But it is assumed to be very minor. Once consumed and absorbed most of the B12 is stored in your liver.  Read More →