Vitamin B12 – Better You

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Vitamin B12 by Better You is a 25ml daily oral spray.

Four sprays delivers 1,200Ug of vitamin B12, the bottle provides 48 daily doses. It comes as a natural apricot flavour.

Oral sprays do not need to be taken with food or a drink so can be used at your convenience. Studies have found that the best place for absorption are on the inside of the cheek.

Ingredients

WATER, XYLITOL, NATURAL APRICOT FLAVOUR, CITRIC ACID, METHYLCOBALAMIN (B12), PRESERVATIVE: POTASSIUM SORBATE, GREEN TEA EXTRACT, CHROMIUM CHLORIDE.

Information

This supplement has food-sourced ingredients and natural preservatives. It’s suitable for vegetarians and vegans and is gluten free.

Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in red blood cell formation and neurological function, aiding in the synthesis of DNA and the maintenance of the myelin sheath, a protective covering for nerves. It also supports energy metabolism by helping to convert food into usable energy for the body.

Several conditions can lead to low levels of vitamin B12 in the body, including pernicious anemia, which is an autoimmune condition that affects the absorption of B12; dietary deficiencies, particularly in individuals following strict vegetarian or vegan diets lacking in animal products; gastrointestinal disorders such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease, which can impair absorption; and certain medications that interfere with B12 absorption or utilization.

Other Considerations

Supplement sprays are a great alternative for tablets, especially when many people can’t swallow tablets easily or find it uncomfortable.

Because Vitamin B12 is comparatively poorly absorbed in the gut and animal products are the main source of this vitamin, this product is often recommended for those following the vegan or vegetarian diet.

1. Folate (Vitamin B9): Vitamin B12 and folate work together in various biochemical processes, including the synthesis of DNA and red blood cell formation. Deficiencies in either can lead to megaloblastic anemia.
2. Intrinsic Factor: Intrinsic factor is a protein produced by the stomach that binds to vitamin B12, facilitating its absorption in the small intestine. Without intrinsic factor, B12 absorption is significantly impaired, leading to pernicious anemia.
3. Hydrochloric Acid: Adequate levels of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) are necessary for the release of vitamin B12 from food and its subsequent absorption. Conditions that reduce stomach acid production, such as atrophic gastritis or the use of acid-suppressing medications, can hinder B12 absorption.
4. Homocysteine and Methionine: Vitamin B12 is involved in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine, an essential amino acid. Elevated levels of homocysteine, which can occur with B12 deficiency, are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
5. Methylmalonyl-CoA: Vitamin B12 plays a key role in converting methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA, an important step in fatty acid synthesis and energy production. Elevated levels of methylmalonic acid can indicate B12 deficiency.

In general, when taken orally, improvement in symptoms related to B12 deficiency may be noticed within a few days to a few weeks of starting supplementation. However, to fully replenish body stores and normalize blood levels of vitamin B12, it may take several weeks to months of consistent supplementation. In cases of severe deficiency or malabsorption issues, healthcare providers may recommend intramuscular injections of vitamin B12 to achieve more rapid results.

Summary

If you have undiagnosed fatigue, Vitamin B12 supplementation is something easy that you can quickly take off the list of things that could be causing your fatigue.

I recommend this supplement because it’s great value for money and very easy to use. I personally much prefer spray based supplements as tablets can often give me acid reflux. Sometimes spray supplements have a bad taste, but this supplement tastes fine which is a great positive along with it’s health benefits.