Vitamin B12
Benefits of Vitamin B12
- Energy-yielding metabolism
- Psychological function
- Nervous system
- Red blood cell formation
- Reduction of tiredness and fatigue
- Form: Methylcobalamin
- Food source: Fortified plant-based milks, soya yoghurts and breakfast cereals, yeast extract and nutritional yeast flakes.
What is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is known as 'The Energy Vitamin'. It is found almost only in foods of animal origin, which makes it a key nutrient to think about on a vegan diet. Green plants do not provide Vitamin B12. It is made by bacteria, and the B12 used in supplements and fortified foods is produced by bacterial fermentation.
What does Vitamin B12 do?
Vitamin B12 contributes to normal red blood cell formation, to normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. As a B Vitamin, Vitamin B12 is involved in the conversion of the food that we eat into the energy that we need. Vitamin B12 also has a role in the process of cell division. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body.
Vitamin B12 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system and to normal psychological function. It is involved in making 'myelin', a substance that forms a protective layer around your nerves. Researchers have studied the links between Vitamin B12, folic acid and the nervous system, and a systematic review looked at whether Vitamin B12 status is associated with neurological function in older people. The NHS has more on what can happen when Vitamin B12 levels are low.
Because of its importance and the difficulty of getting Vitamin B12 from a plant-based diet, it's essential to opt for foods fortified with Vitamin B12, including yeast extract, like vegan Marmite or yeast flakes, some plant milk alternatives, soya yoghurts and breakfast cereals. You can also consider a Vitamin B12 supplement.
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Why it's in Hydrate+
Supports neurotransmitter function: B12 supports neuromuscular function, which affects thirst signalling and electrolyte regulation.1
Maintains myelin sheath integrity and neurological function: This ensures appropriate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis signalling, including vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) release.2
Supports red blood cell production: This contributes to plasma osmolarity regulation and perfusion, indirectly aiding hydration.
Why it's in OsteoFriend®
Vitamins B6, Folate and B12 work synergistically to regulate homocysteine metabolism, which is essential for maintaining bone integrity. Elevated homocysteine is associated with impaired collagen cross-linking, reduced bone quality, and increased fracture risk. Vitamin B6 supports collagen formation and neurotransmitter synthesis, while Folate and Vitamin B12 are essential for DNA synthesis, methylation and bone marrow function. Deficiencies in any of these B vitamins can disrupt osteoblast activity, compromise bone matrix quality and increase the risk of osteoporosis.3
Why it's in Daily Multivitamin and Women's ProMulti
Vitamin B12 functions as a cofactor for methionine synthase and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. It is essential for converting homocysteine to methionine, which is required for DNA methylation and protein synthesis. B12 also plays a role in forming myelin, the protective sheath around nerve fibres. Vitamin B12 is essential for the production of healthy red blood cells, helping to prevent anaemia. B12 supports the maintenance of the myelin sheath, ensuring proper nerve function and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative conditions.
Why it's in Brain Fuel®
Vitamin B12 is essential for the synthesis of neurotransmitters and the maintenance of healthy neuronal membranes.4 Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to impaired cognitive function, including memory loss and confusion.4 The vitamin may also have neuroprotective effects, reducing the risk of age-related cognitive decline and dementia.5 A meta-analysis of clinical trials on Vitamin B12 and brain health found that the nutrient had a positive effect on cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease.6 Another meta-analysis found that Vitamin B12 supplementation improved cognitive function in healthy older adults.7 Several clinical trials have investigated the effects of Vitamin B12 on brain function and cognition. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that Vitamin B12 supplementation improved cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment.6
Why it's in UltraEnergy
Vitamin B12 is involved in methylation, red blood cell formation, and the synthesis of myelin for nerve conduction. It plays a direct role in cellular energy production and supports mental clarity and stamina. B12 deficiency is well known to cause fatigue, brain fog, and low mood. Vitamin B12 is a critical cofactor for methionine synthase and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, enzymes involved in one-carbon metabolism and mitochondrial energy production. Through its role in methylation, B12 supports DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and homocysteine regulation. It is also essential for the maintenance of the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibres, enabling efficient nerve impulse transmission and overall neurological integrity. Adequate B12 status is vital for sustaining mental clarity, cognitive performance and physical stamina, while deficiency is clinically associated with fatigue, impaired concentration (‘brain fog’), neuropathy and depressive symptoms due to disrupted energy metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis.8
Why it's in Kid's ProMulti
Methylcobalamin (B12): Deficiency is prevalent in vegan / vegetarian children and can cause neurodevelopmental delay and megaloblastic anaemia.9
Why it's in Men's ProMulti
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an essential role in various physiological processes, including methylation reactions and DNA synthesis. As a coenzyme, Vitamin B12 is essential for the proper functioning of enzymes involved in the synthesis of methionine from homocysteine, a reaction that is vital for DNA methylation and the maintenance of genomic stability. Vitamin B12 is required for the synthesis of thymidine, a nucleotide necessary for DNA replication and repair. These functions are critical for the formation of red blood cells.10,11
Why it's in HeartPro®
Vitamin B12 is another essential nutrient for homocysteine metabolism. Like folate, B12 is involved in the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine, and a deficiency in B12 can lead to hyperhomocysteinemia, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and thrombosis.12
Folate
Folate is required in the synthesis of DNA and the replication of new cells. It is needed in during pregnancy to help prevent neural tube defects in the foetus.
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 supports our brain function by helping transport messages through it, and in breaking down the foods we eat into energy which it supplies to the brain.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 contributes to energy production. It helps convert the food that we eat into energy that we use throughout our day.
Vitamin D3
Our plant-based Vitamin D3 is sourced from green algae that provides more effective D3, making it better for you and our planet.
Bifidobacterium Lactis
Bifidobacterium digests the fibre you consume in your diet and helps to produce other vital nutrients and vitamins in your body.
Inositol
Inositol is a type of sugar produced by our kidneys and used throughout our body, in particular in our brain and in cell membranes, and it influences the effectiveness of insulin.
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 contributes to normal energy metabolism, the normal functioning of the nervous system, our psychological function and our heart health.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is vital for our immune health, wound healing and for the health of our skin through its central role in collagen production and supporting blood vessels feeding our skin.
