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Top 5 Vitamin B12 Supplements of
2024
Always tired? You may not be getting enough B12. Learn how this special vitamin can aid against stiffness, fatigue, anemia & more — plus, our favorite picks
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When was the last time you had your vitamin B12 levels checked? (It may have been longer than you think). And because your vitamin B levels are not typically checked with routine blood work, you could easily be one of the 20% of people with a vitamin B12 deficiency, or in rare but more serious cases, anemic.1
Signs of B12 Deficiency*
Anemia
Mild muscle & body weakness
Everyday fatigue
Joint stiffness
Knee, shoulder, & hip discomfort
*Vitamin B12 deficiency affects roughly 20% of adults over the age of 60, and 6% of adults under 60, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
This leads to a crucial question: Why is this even important? To answer this question, we'll take a quick look at what exactly vitamin B12 is, what it does for the body, and who can benefit from it.
We'll also explain why—when it comes to supplements—liquid and sublingual B12 are superior to other alternatives like tablets or pills. Plus, we'll share our top 5 picks for best vitamin B12 supplement of 2022.
What is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is a vital nutrient your body needs but cannot produce on its own.2 It is involved in producing red blood cells, DNA synthesis, and supporting healthy, functioning nerves. Its role in cell production also makes vitamin B12 essential to supporting stronger hair, skin, and nails. 3
B12 Deficiency and Anemia
One of vitamin B12's most important jobs in the body is producing red blood cells. Red blood cells (RBCs) transport oxygen throughout our bodies, including our tissues and organs.
If you have a B12 deficiency, your body produces fewer RBCs. As a consequence, some of your most vital systems become oxygen deprived, which can result in feelings of weakness, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
These symptoms may also point to a more serious underlying condition known as pernicious anemia. People with pernicious anemia lack the intrinsic factor protein that enables them to successfully absorb vitamin B12, even if they get enough from their diet.
The good news is that taking vitamin B12 supplement regularly can lower your chances of developing a deficiency. And that's not the only benefit of taking vitamin B12; it's also essential for maintaining a healthy immune system.
Why Liquid B12 Is More Effective
If you've ever shopped for vitamin B12, you may have noticed it comes in a variety of forms — pills, sprays, gummies, liquid drops, etc. For some, choosing the right B12 supplement boils down to personal preference (if you have a hard time swallowing pills, for example, you might prefer a gummy or spray).
However, most experts agree that the best way to ingest B12 is sublingually, or under the tongue since they are highly "bioavailable" (easier to absorb). Thus, liquid drops, sprays and caplets that dissolve under the tongue are absorbed faster than gummies and pills, which must first be broken down in the intestine.
Still, sprays can get a little messy (and sticky!), which is why we recommend liquid B12 drops. They're fast-acting, concentrated, and most reviewers find they have a pleasant taste. For additional tips on what to look for and what to avoid, check out our B12 buying guide below.
Your Complete Vitamin B12 Checklist:
Contains Methylcobalamin
Methylcobalamin is a bioidentical form of naturally occurring B12. Unlike its cousin, cyanocobalamin, methylcobalamin is already in a biologically active form, so it can metabolize and get to work much faster.5
Opt for Well-Known Manufacturers
While lesser-known manufacturers may be just as good as their counterparts, you can’t always count on this. Opting for a manufacturer that you can trust is only using the highest-quality ingredients and is testing them for purity and potency.
Look for Sublingual or Liquid B12
Sublingual, or under-the-tongue, supplements start to work immediately, unlike tablets and pills, which must be digested first. Similarly, liquid drops are fast-acting and typically contain high concentrations of vitamin B12.
The Right Dose
You’ll see supplements with anywhere from 500 mcg of vitamin B12 to more than 8,000 mcg — the ideal dose for a B12 supplement, however, is actually 5,000 mcg for optimal potency.
What To Avoid
Cyanocobalamin
Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic form of vitamin B12 that's metabolically inactive. It must first be converted to its biologically active form (i.e., methylcobalamin) which prolongs it from taking effect.
Extremely High Doses
There is no clearly defined upper limit for vitamin B12, however, too much can place unnecessary strain on your liver. Look for a product whose dose does not exceed 6,000 mcg.
Remember, you should always speak with your physician before starting any type of supplement. He or she can also advise you on a good dosage to start off with.
Top 5 Vitamin B12 Supplements
We looked at the most popular vitamin B12 supplements available and narrowed them down to the top 5. Here's what we found...
1. Vegan B12
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Total Ranking
9.6/10
A+
Overall Grade
PROS
- No high fructose corn syrup, dairy, synthetic dyes, or gluten
- Contains methylcobalamin
- Potent 5,000 mcg dos
- Highly Bioavailable
- Made in U.S.A.
CONS
- Frequently out of stock
The Bottom Line
We chose Vegan B12 by Live Conscious because it uses methylcobalamin B12, a water-soluble vitamin, so that excess amounts can easily be washed out to prevent adverse effects of overconsumption. This means that their high dose of 5000 mcg is extremely safe, since your body will be able to absorb as much as it needs, and no more.
We appreciate that Vegan B12 comes in liquid form and is highly bioavailable. This makes it great for people looking to promote energy, immune health, & more. It comes with a simple dropper in the bottle, which is by far the best way to take this supplement.
Not only does Live Conscious offer a comprehensive 365-day return policy, but the brand also promotes a whole-body approach to health that we really appreciate. It's also third party tested, meaning the company focuses on purity, potency, & consistency.
With all this in mind, we had to put Vegan B12 supplement at the top of our list. *
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More2. B-12 Blend
Total Ranking
8.9/10
B+
Overall Grade
PROS
- Contains 80% methylcobalamin
- Money-back guarantee
- Vegan-friendly
- Highly Bioavailable
CONS
- Contains less potent dose of 2,500 mcg
- Some users felt the taste was too sweet
The Bottom Line
Global Healing Center has a longstanding reputation for producing excellent supplements. According to their official website, supplements are third-party tested during the manufacturing process to ensure purity, potency, and consistency.
Though it has a smaller dose than most other supplements, you can worry less about taking too much. That said, thanks to a return policy that is effective for up to one year after the purchase date, trying out a new supplement like Global Healing Center is a fairly risk-free decision.*
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More3. B-12
Total Ranking
8.6/10
B+
Overall Grade
PROS
- Contains a potent blend of vitamins & nutrients
- Can return your purchase for a full refund with no questions asked
- Established reputation for high-quality supplements
- Vegan-friendly
CONS
- Less potent dose of 1,200 mcg
- Some users complain of an upset stomach
The Bottom Line
Most customers are highly satisfied with how this supplement works. Reviews often state “work great,” “tons of energy and I feel a lot better than ever before,” and “great taste.
Salt Lake Supplements has a well-established reputation for high-quality supplements. Typically, they are very effective, which is likely to be the case with these as well. In fact, many experts choose Salt Lake Supplements for their patients based on the brand's long history of top-notch products.*
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More4. Methylcobalamin B-12
Total Ranking
7.3/10
C
Overall Grade
PROS
- Well-established manufacturer
- Packaged and tested at a cGMP facility (Current Good Manufacturing Practices)
- Returns allowed for 30 days after purchase*
CONS
- *Returns only allowed for purchases made through company website
- Dose may be higher than needed
The Bottom Line
Why Not Natural has created a highly potent vegan B12 blend. Users reported not only great results when taking it, but that it also had a great taste -- saying it was "pleasant" and not at all "medicinal."
Based on the information available through the manufacturer, as well as countless customer reviews, this supplement is very effective. Multiple users report they have relied on Why Not Natural's 5,000 mcg tincture for years, thanks to the constant positive effects.*
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More5. Vitamin B-12
Total Ranking
7.2/10
C
Overall Grade
PROS
- Suitable for vegans
- Products undergo extensive quality testing
CONS
- 3,000 mcg is a less potent dose
- Couldn't find return policy
- Consumers report the taste is too sweet
The Bottom Line
The Global Healing Center has long been known to produce quality products and at least half of reviewers report they are repeat buyers for their B-12 tincture.
Customers compliment the “great taste that makes me look forward to taking them,” as well as their “potency that makes me so much better and gives me energy."
With that in mind, we felt that Go Nutrient's B12 was a strong pick to round out our list.*
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn MoreDisclaimer:
Smarter Reviews is owned and operated by the same company that owns certain products featured on this website, including the products ranked number one.
In addition, we receive compensation from certain companies whose products are featured on this website when you purchase a product using the links on this website.
Go back to pageOur Main Sources
Sources used for research purposes. Smarter-Reviews.com are not officially affiliated with these sites.
CITATIONS
- https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/signs-of-b12-deficiency
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-Consumer/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2965901/
- https://nutritionstudies.org/12-questions-answered-regarding-vitamin-b12/
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/
- https://www.justvitamins.co.uk/blog/cyanocobalamin-versus-methylcobalamin/#.WphjZGrwaUk
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28216963/