The rate at which a vitamin is absorbed comes down to the physical chemistry of the compound. By and large, a liquid in the stomach will absorb at a much faster rate than solid pill form will. In fact, the body can begin absorbing liquid vitamins before it even reaches the stomach.
What is the best form of B12 to take?
Methylcobalamin
How is vitamin B12 best absorbed?
In the stomach, hydrochloric acid and enzymes unbind vitamin B12 into its free form. From there, vitamin B12 combines with a protein called intrinsic factor so that it can be absorbed further down in the small intestine. Supplements and fortified foods contain B12 in its free form, so they may be more easily absorbed.
What is the best way to absorb vitamin B12?
Harvard health professionals add that folate enhances the absorption of vitamin B12, a nutrient found naturally “in meat, eggs, milk, and other foods of animal origin.” While getting all of the necessary vitamins and minerals is important to overall health, this particular vitamin carries some major importance all on
What blocks the absorption of B12?
Atrophic gastritis, in which your stomach lining has thinned. Pernicious anemia, which makes it hard for your body to absorb vitamin B12. Conditions that affect your small intestine, such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, bacterial growth, or a parasite. Immune system disorders, such as Graves' disease or lupus.
What does vitamin B12 need to be absorbed?
intrinsic factor
Is B12 effective in pill form?
For many people with low B12 levels, a daily supplement in the form of a pill is as effective as taking a monthly muscle injection. The choice of shot or pill depends on the reason for the deficiency.Dec 6, 2014
What makes it hard to absorb B12?
Vitamin B12 is attached to protein molecules in food and can only be absorbed by the body after being split from the protein by hydrochloric acid in the stomach. In order to absorb B12 in the terminal ileum, the stomach's parietal cells produce a glycoprotein referred to as Intrinsic Factor (IF).
Comparing the sublingual method to vitamin B12 injections, research found that taking B12 under the tongue had a higher absorption rate, making it a better option (Bensky, 2019). Taking vitamin B12 sublingually may also be a good option for people with a condition called pernicious anemia.
What is the best supplement to take for B12 deficiency?
You can change your diet to include vitamin B12-fortified grains, a supplement or B12 injections, or a high-dose oral vitamin B12 if you are deficient. Older adults who have a vitamin B12 deficiency will likely have to take a daily B12 supplement or a multivitamin that contains B12.
What kind of vitamin B12 should I take?
While the recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms, higher doses have been found to be safe. Your body absorbs only as much as it needs, and any excess passes through your urine. High doses of vitamin B-12, such as those used to treat a deficiency, might cause: Headache.
Is it OK to take 1000 mcg B12 daily?
The recommended dose for treating vitamin B12 deficiency is 1000 mcg daily. The recommended dose for preventing vitamin B12 deficiency is 1500 mg or 2500 mcg (sublingual tablets) daily. The dose for treating hyperhomocysteinemia is 400 mg daily in combination with folic acid.
Is 1000 mcg of B12 safe for seniors?
Recommended Vitamin B12 Dosage for Seniors The proper vitamin B12 dosage for seniors depends on if they have underlying health conditions and how severe their deficiency is. In some cases, doctors may recommend high doses — more than 1,000 micrograms (mcg) per day.
What is a person with pernicious anemia lacking that makes it difficult to absorb vitamin B12?
People who have pernicious anemia can't absorb enough vitamin B12 from food. This is because they lack intrinsic (in-TRIN-sik) factor, a protein made in the stomach. A lack of this protein leads to vitamin B12 deficiency. Other conditions and factors also can cause vitamin B12 deficiency.