Vitamin B12 is perhaps the most well-known of the 8 different "B" Vitamins. FUN FACT: It's called Vitamin B12 and not Vitamin B8 because 4 compounds were at one point considered "B" Vitamins, but are no longer. This is why there are only 8 "B" Vitamins today.
Its other name is cobalamin because it contains the trace mineral cobalt. (1) Yes a mineral inside a vitamin. However, Vitamin B12 can come in several different forms. It can be supplemented as methylcobalamin, cyanocobalamin, hydroxycobalamin, or 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin. Methylcobalamin and cyanocobalamin are the most popular and are both effective. (1)
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, which means the body needs a daily supply of it. How much? The RDA for everyone aged 14+, and is not pregnant or breastfeeding, is a minuscule 2.4 mcg. (1) Such a tiny amount, yet this vitamin is very important!
It's required to make red blood cells and for DNA synthesis. It plays a role in the development and function of the central nervous system as well. Making sure you have enough Vitamin B12 also helps prevent megaloblastic anemia, which is a condition that can make you weak and tired. (1)
The people with the biggest risk for Vitamin B12 deficiency are vegetarians and vegans. (2) This is because the foods with the highest concentrations of Vitamin B12 are meats and dairy. This makes supplementation of Vitamin B12 crucial for these people!
Our Pinnacle Men's and Women's Multis contain the 100% RDA value of 2.4 mcg. This dosage may not be as flashy as other Vitamin B12 products that contain dosages of 1,000 mcg, but your body will actually absorb this lower dosage. Your body may be able to absorb a few more micrograms from outrageously high dosages like 1,000 mcg, but 99% of it will be a complete waste. (1)
Although brands use these dosages because there is no official Upper Limit for Vitamin B12, some researchers have raised concerns about trying to take high dosages of this vitamin. Participants in one study who took 500 mcg alongside 400 mcg of folic acid had a slightly higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. (3) Even a lower dosage of 55 mcg in one study was associated with a higher risk of lung cancer in older men. (4) These are just associations and do not prove anything at all, but it's worth mentioning.
Maybe a concern that could be more noticeable is that dosages as low as 20 mcg have also caused acne breakouts in some people. (5) This is why we only give you what your body requires and no more! Our multis specifically designed for men and women have the proper dosage you need daily, and do not carry any of these risks of excessive Vitamin B12 intake. Safe and effective!
1. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-
2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30341095/