Taking Vitamin B12 as a Vegan

This is what you need to know

Although a plant-based diet is undeniably the healthiest diet in the world, you can develop a vitamin B12 deficiency with a vegan lifestyle. Vegans do not get B12 from animal products and our body is not able to produce this essential vitamin itself. The Nutrition Center therefore advises vegans to take a vitamin B12 supplement or eat products to which vitamin B12 has been added.

Active ingredients in our B12 supplements

• Methylcobalamin
  A natural form of vitamin B12 that our body can absorb well and quickly. Methylcobalamin is essential for DNA methylation, a process that takes place at the cellular level.
• Adenosylcobalamin
  A natural form of vitamin B12 that our body can efficiently absorb. Contributes to the formation of ATP, or: energy.

What does B12 do for your body?

Vitamin B12 contributes to the proper functioning of various bodily processes. For example, it is essential for the proper functioning of your immune system, nervous and intestinal system and the production of red blood cells. Because B12 influences various processes, the symptoms of a B12 deficiency are not always the same. For example, some people only get tired, while others also get memory loss or tinnitus due to a too low B12 level. With our B12 supplements you can ensure that the B12 level in your body remains good.

Vegan? Watch your B12!

A vegan lifestyle in which you eat enough fresh vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts contributes to a healthy mind and a healthy body. However, there is a big chance that as a vegan you get too little B12.

What is cyanocobalamin?

The official name for vitamin B12 is cyanocobalamin and this name refers to the mineral cobalt. Some B12 supplements only contain cyanocobalamin, but this form of B12 must be converted by your body to the biologically active forms methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin.

Intrinsic factor

For some people it is difficult to convert cyanocobalamin to the active forms of B12: methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin. There is then a deficiency of Intrinsic Factor. This is a substance that is in your stomach acid and that your body needs for this process. Elderly people and people with reduced quality stomach acid often have too little Intrinsic Factor.

Questions? We are here for you

Methylcobalamin…Adenosylcobalamin, are you feeling a little dizzy? Do you have a question about our vitamin B12 supplements or do you want to know if taking vitamin B12 is something for you? Contact one of our specialists. We are happy to share our knowledge with you!