Do you feel tired, run-down, and forgetful? Are you struggling to sleep through the night? If so, you may be deficient in vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is a vital compound, and your body needs it to stay healthy and strong.[1]

Wondering why? Keep reading to explore how B12 can help you feel more energized, improve your mood, get a better night's sleep, and so much more!

What is Vitamin B12?

The name "vitamin B12" comes from the fact that it was the twelfth vitamin to be discovered. The first 11 vitamins were discovered in alphabetical order, so B12 was named accordingly after being isolated in 1947.[4]

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for human health. What does that mean? Water-soluble vitamins are vitamins that dissolve in water. They are not stored in the body's fat tissues; instead, they are excreted in the urine. As a result, water-soluble vitamins, like B12, need to be consumed regularly in order to prevent a deficiency.[1-4]

The best way to get vitamin B12 is from animal products, such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. However, vitamin B12 can also be found in some fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals and nutritional yeast, or people can get an easy boost of this essential vitamin through supplements.[1]

The 9 Benefits of Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in many bodily functions. It's so important that your body actually craves it! Here are 9 of the biggest reasons why:

1. Fuel Your Body

B12 is essential for converting food into energy, so you can get through the day without feeling sluggish. Studies show a boost in energy and stamina after B12 supplementation in people with a vitamin B12 deficiency.[14,15]

Combat those afternoon slumps and get the boost you need to power through your workday or workout.

2. For a Healthy Baby

B12 is essential for fetal development, so it's important to get enough during pregnancy. Research shows that women who boost their vitamin B12 intake during pregnancy are less likely to have babies with neural tube defects.[3,7,10]

Give your baby the best possible start in life by making sure they get enough B12 from the womb.

3. Strong Bones & Healthy Vision

B12 is involved in the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the body's tissues. This includes the bones and eyes, which need a good supply of oxygen to stay healthy. Studies show improvements in bone density and vision with vitamin B12 intake, as well as a reduced risk of macular degeneration.[1,11,16]

Walk tall with strong, healthy bones and healthier eyesight.

4. Boost Your Mood

B12 plays a role in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood. Research shows that the supplementation of vitamin B12 may help to delay the onset of depression and improve overall mood.[5,12]

Say goodbye to the blues and embrace regulated moods!

5. Sleep Soundly

B12 plays a role in the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to insomnia and other sleep problems. Studies have shown that taking vitamin B12 supplements can help improve sleep quality and duration.[1,2,13]

Sleep like a baby and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.

6. Sharpen Your Mind and Protect Your Heart

B12 is involved in the production of myelin, a fatty substance that insulates nerve cells. This helps to protect the nerves and keep them functioning properly. Studies have shown improved cognitive function and a reduced risk of heart disease after vitamin B12 supplementation.[5,6,7,11]

Keep your heart and your brain healthy for a brighter future.

7. Get That Healthy Glow

Low levels of vitamin B12 may cause various dermatologic symptoms. Since this essential vitamin plays a role in cell production, supplementing with vitamin B12 has been shown to promote healthy hair, skin, and nails.[17,18]

Nourish your hair, nails, and skin from the inside out.

8. Get Ready to Fight Back

B12 is involved in the production of white blood cells, which are essential for fighting off infection. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to a weakened immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Studies have shown improvements in immune function after supplementing with vitamin B12.[1,2,5]

Fend off colds and the flu, and feel confident that your body can fight off infection.

9. Prevent Anemia at The Source

B12 is essential for the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to anemia, a condition in which the body doesn't have enough red blood cells.[1,2,3]

Put fatigue to rest and feel like yourself again.

Some People Need More Than What They Get From Food

So, you already know that vitamin B12 is a nutrient your body needs to keep you going. Your body needs vitamin B12 to maintain metabolism, produce DNA and red blood cells, and even keep your nervous system in tip-top shape. But, not everyone can get enough of this water-soluble nutrient from their diet.[1,2,3] 

Here are some groups of people who might require more than what they get from food:

- Older adults: As you age, your body becomes less efficient at absorbing vitamin B12.

- Pregnant or breastfeeding women: Your body needs more vitamin B12 to support the growth and development of your baby.

- Vegans and vegetarians: Vitamin B12 is found naturally in animal products, so vegans and vegetarians may not get enough from their diet.

- People with digestive issues: Some digestive conditions, such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease, can make it difficult to absorb vitamin B12.

- People taking certain medications: Some medications, such as metformin, can interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12.

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If you think you might be at risk of a vitamin B12 deficiency, talk to your doctor. They can recommend a blood test to check your levels and advise you on whether you need to take a supplement.

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How Can I Get More Vitamin B12 in My Diet?

Are you concerned that you may not be getting enough vitamin B12 in your diet? If so, you're not alone. Many people don't get enough of this important nutrient, which can lead to fatigue, numbness, and other health problems.[1,2,3]

But there's an easy and tasty way to boost your B12 intake: Liquid B12 Drops! Unlike capsules or powders, liquid B12 drops are convenient to take and have a pleasant taste. Plus, they're absorbed quickly and efficiently by the body.

Your Wellness Is Our Priority 

Interested in trying vitamin B12 drops? Pattern Wellness has you covered with our Vitamin B12 supplement. Here’s why you’ll love our Liquid B12 Drops: 

Vitamin B12 plays a big role in overall health. Studies have shown that it can help balance immune response, maintain efficient cognitive and nerve function, and so much more.[5,6,7]

Pattern Wellness Vitamin B12 offers a maximum strength of 5,000 mcg daily dose to help you experience optimal benefits. We used methylcobalamin in our formula, as it has been shown to be the most bioavailable and holistic coenzyme form of B12.[8]

Our Vitamin B12 comes in the form of easy-to-take liquid drops. Sublingual Vitamin B12 has been shown to have a better absorption rate than then conventional capsules.[9]

Formulated to be easy and enjoyable to take daily. Our Vitamin B12 drops are naturally flavored with a delightful orange citrus flavor.

Our Vitamin B12 is made with you in mind. Our plant-based formula is gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan-friendly.

Have you taken the time to focus on your health and wellness yet? You and your body deserve the very best! Click here to browse our line of premium feel-good supplements that use simplified, natural ingredients to transform your health. 

Resources:

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). Office of dietary supplements - vitamin B12. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/ 
2. Green R, Allen LH, Bjørke-Monsen AL, Brito A, Guéant JL, Miller JW, Molloy AM, Nexo E, Stabler S, Toh BH, Ueland PM, Yajnik C. Vitamin B12 deficiency. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017 Jun 29;3:17040. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2017.40. Erratum in Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017 Jul 20;3:17054. PMID: 28660890. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28660890/ 
3. Allen LH, Miller JW, de Groot L, Rosenberg IH, Smith AD, Refsum H, Raiten DJ. Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development (BOND): Vitamin B-12 Review. J Nutr. 2018 Dec 1;148(suppl_4):1995S-2027S. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxy201. PMID: 30500928; PMCID: PMC6297555. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30500928/ 
4. Keith-Lindblom. (2023, May 3). Celebrating the history of B Vitamin Research with ACS. ACS Publications Chemistry Blog. https://axial.acs.org/cross-disciplinary-concepts/history-b-vitamin-research 
5. Batista, K. S., Cintra, V. M., Lucena, P. A. F., Manhães-de-Castro, R., Toscano, A. E., Costa, L. P., Queiroz, M. E. B. S., de Andrade, S. M., Guzman-Quevedo, O., & Aquino, J. S. (2022). The role of vitamin B12 in viral infections: a comprehensive review of its relationship with the muscle-gut-brain axis and implications for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nutrition Reviews, 80(3), 561–578. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuab092 
6. Gröber, U., Kisters, K., & Schmidt, J. (2013). Neuroenhancement with vitamin B12-underestimated neurological significance. Nutrients, 5(12), 5031–5045. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu5125031 
7. Calderón-Ospina, C. A., & Nava-Mesa, M. O. (2020). B Vitamins in the nervous system: Current knowledge of the biochemical modes of action and synergies of thiamine, pyridoxine, and cobalamin. CNS neuroscience & therapeutics, 26(1), 5–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/cns.13207 
8. Institute of Medicine (US) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes and its Panel on Folate, Other B Vitamins, and Choline. Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1998. 9, Vitamin B12. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK114302/ 
9. Delpre, G., Stark, P., & Niv, Y. (1999). Sublingual therapy for cobalamin deficiency as an alternative to oral and parenteral cobalamin supplementation. Lancet (London, England), 354(9180), 740–741. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(99)02479-4
10. Molloy AM, Kirke PN, Troendle JF, Burke H, Sutton M, Brody LC, Scott JM, Mills JL. Maternal vitamin B12 status and risk of neural tube defects in a population with high neural tube defect prevalence and no folic Acid fortification. Pediatrics. 2009 Mar;123(3):917-23. doi 10.1542/peds.2008-1173. PMID: 19255021; PMCID: PMC4161975. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4161975/ 
11. Christen WG, Glynn RJ, Chew EY, Albert CM, Manson JE. Folic acid, pyridoxine, and cyanocobalamin combination treatment and age-related macular degeneration in women: the Women's Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study. Arch Intern Med. 2009 Feb 23;169(4):335-41. doi 10.1001/archinternmed.2008.574. PMID: 19237716; PMCID: PMC2648137. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2648137/ 
12. Sangle P, Sandhu O, Aftab Z, Anthony AT, Khan S. Vitamin B12 Supplementation: Preventing Onset and Improving Prognosis of Depression. Cureus. 2020 Oct 26;12(10):e11169. doi: 10.7759/cureus.11169. PMID: 33251075; PMCID: PMC7688056. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7688056/ 
13. Al-Musharaf S, Alabdulaaly A, Bin Mujalli H, Alshehri H, Alajaji H, Bogis R, Alnafisah R, Alfehaid S, Alhodaib H, Murphy AM, Hussain SD, Sabico S, McTernan PG, Al-Daghri N. Sleep Quality Is Associated with Vitamin B12 Status in Female Arab Students. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 25;18(9):4548. doi 10.3390/ijerph18094548. PMID: 33922970; PMCID: PMC8123316. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8123316/ 
14. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin). Mount Sinai Health System. (n.d.). Retrieved February 15, 2023, from https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/vitamin-b12-cobalamin 
15. Ling, C. T., & Chow, B. F. (1954). The influence of vitamin B12 on carbohydrate and lipide metabolism. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 206(2), 797–805. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9258(19)50851-1 
16. Dai Z, Koh WP. B-vitamins and bone health--a review of the current evidence. Nutrients. 2015 May 7;7(5):3322-46. doi: 10.3390/nu7053322. PMID: 25961321; PMCID: PMC4446754. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4446754/ 
17. DiBaise, M., & Tarleton, S. M. (2019). Hair, Nails, and Skin: Differentiating Cutaneous Manifestations of Micronutrient Deficiency. Nutrition in clinical practice: official publication of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 34(4), 490–503. https://doi.org/10.1002/ncp.10321 
18. Brescoll, J., & Daveluy, S. (2015). A review of vitamin B12 in dermatology. American Journal of clinical dermatology, 16(1), 27–33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-014-0107-3