I need to know which b12 brand to take?!
Question: I want the most absorbed B12. I heard there are pills out there that just go through your system. Which brand is best and should there be other bs to go with it?
Answers: I want the most absorbed B12. I heard there are pills out there that just go through your system. Which brand is best and should there be other bs to go with it?
Mr. Answerman is the closest to being right ........... along with your B12 you need the other vitamins in the B complex of vitamins to ensure efficient assimilation by the body ie: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12 as they work best as a group.
When you take a multi B complex supplement take it with some form of calcium ie: skimmed milk or cheese, as the body needs the calcium to properly assimilate the B12.
In the human diet, vitamin B12 is primarily supplied by animal products ie; skimmed milks and cheeses, fish and eggs, as plant foods (with minor exceptions such as spirulina - a sea vegetable) don't usually contain it.
I use a brand called Blackmores and find it to be quite good ....... the easiest way to increase your B12 intake (if you aren't vegetarian or lactose intolerant) will always be to eat the natural whole food version. That being said, though, skimmed versions of cheese are very low in lactose and even if you are lactose intolerant you will more than likely be able to tolerate low fat cheeses.
Another option to digesting your multi B complex tablets efficiently is to put a couple of tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and drink with your tablets....... the apple cider vinegar will encourage the production of hydrochloric acid in your stomach thus maximizing digestion and absorption.
GOOD LUCK
CHEERS
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Well, no brand will go completely through your system without being absorbed (unless it's encased in a rock or something).... B12 is a very absorbable nutrient since it's water soluble, but it typically is taken in a B complex. It was probably some marketing hype that was saying most brands other than their own are not absorbed (which is total bull).
Some people prefer sub-lingual lozenges that you dissolve under your tongue, and some people prefer capsules that you swallow.
As far as brand, there are several high quality brands and anyone that answers on here will have their own opinion based on which one they take. The most important thing is that the company has a good rating with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), USP (U.S. Pharmacopoeia), or CL (Consumer Labs).
(edit): Regarding Mr. Answerman, anyone who has Gastric Bypass won't be able to absorb most pills, vitamins, etc anyway... and when people get older, they don't digest as well either. You're just stating common digestion problems as if they were unique to B-12.
Personally, I think any vitamin shots are not a good idea. Quite simply, you are overdosing yourself when you first get the shot (which is why many people report feeling sick after a vitamin shot).... then you get less and less of a dose as the week/month goes by as your body tries to excrete what it can of the shot. Some people may only be able to absorb vitamins that way (eg. Gastric Bypass patients), but it's still one of the worst ways to get your daily nutrients. Needless to say, the most ideal way is from your food.
The other poster is incorrect. Yes B-12 is water soluble but it is difficult to absorb. The reason is that a substance produced by the stomach is required for absorption. This is called Intrinsic factor. People with stomach problems, gastric bypass, aging and other reasons cannot absorb it. This is why these people require injections of B-12 directly, from their doctor. Any major brand will be just fine for you to take if you are healthy.
The best way to obtain any vitamin would be through whole foods or whole food supplements. Most foods that contain B12 also have many other vitamins and minerals that are helpful in aiding absorption as well as other benefits. My favorite supplements are those by Standard Process which are only available through a Healthcare Professional. Standard Process uses only organic whole foods processed at low heat to preserve the nutrients in their products. You can visit the website for a list of any dealers in your area.
They make B12 in a liquid sublingual form. That is a liquid you hold in your mouth for 30 seconds. It kicks like a mule.