Amare
Label verifiedSunrise
US · 1 pouch (30 mL) daily
Vitamin B1280 µg
Label source: Official manufacturer label ↗
🇺🇸 United States · market availability verified
View product on AmarePartner link
NutriReference / Nutrients / Vitamin B12
Vitamins
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is a water-soluble vitamin required for normal red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis and normal neurological function. Unlike many water-soluble vitamins, the body can store substantial amounts of B12, so deficiency may take years to become obvious.
Educational information only. Not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
At a glance
Adult RDA in the U.S. DRI system: 2.4 µg/day
Natural food sources are mainly animal-derived foods
Absorption depends on stomach acid and intrinsic factor
Low B12 can cause neurological changes even without anemia
What it does in the body
- Supports normal red blood cell formation
- Required for DNA synthesis
- Important for development, myelination and normal function of the central nervous system
- Acts as a cofactor in methionine and methylmalonyl-CoA metabolism
Daily reference intake
Reference intakes vary by country. In the U.S. DRI system, adults need 2.4 µg/day; pregnancy increases this to 2.6 µg/day and lactation to 2.8 µg/day.
What can deficiency look like?
- Fatigue and weakness
- Megaloblastic anemia
- Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
- Glossitis or a sore tongue
- Pale skin or palpitations
- Cognitive or neurological changes can occur, sometimes without anemia
Who may be at higher risk?
- Older adults, especially with atrophic gastritis
- People with pernicious anemia
- People with gastrointestinal disease or prior stomach/intestinal surgery
- People using metformin or acid-suppressing medicines for long periods
- Vegans and some vegetarians if fortified foods or supplements are not used
FOOD FIRST
Food sources
A varied diet is the first place to look for nutrients. Availability and nutrient content can vary by food, preparation and country.
Beef liver and other organ meats
Clams, oysters and other shellfish
Salmon, tuna and other fish
Beef and poultry
Milk, yogurt and cheese
Eggs
B12-fortified cereals or nutritional yeast
Food-source note: Vitamin B12 is not naturally present in meaningful amounts in plant foods. Fortified foods can therefore be important for people following vegan diets.
Absorption & practical context
B12 in food must first be released from food proteins. It later binds to intrinsic factor and is absorbed in the distal ileum. B12 in fortified foods and supplements is already in free form, but absorption still falls sharply as dose rises.
How status is assessed
Serum or plasma B12 is commonly measured. When values are borderline, methylmalonic acid (MMA) can help clarify deficiency; kidney function can influence MMA results.
Important interactions
- Metformin can reduce B12 absorption in some long-term users
- Proton-pump inhibitors and other acid-suppressing medicines may reduce absorption of food-bound B12
Safety and context
Vitamin B12 has no established tolerable upper intake level because it has a low potential for toxicity. However, a high supplement dose is not a substitute for finding the cause of a true deficiency, especially when neurological symptoms or malabsorption are possible.
Scientific sources
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Vitamin B12 ↗ EU Register of Nutrition and Health Claims ↗LABEL-BASED PRODUCT INFORMATION
Products whose current label lists this nutrient
The entries below are based on current manufacturer label information for the selected market. Compare the stated amount per daily serving and read the official product page before purchasing.