Even if Vitamin B-12 isn’t part of your supplement routine, you probably know that it’s a vital part of balanced nutrition. Still, you may not be clear on precisely what role this nutrient plays in your body, how beneficial it truly is or where you can find B-12 in food.   

We’ll dive into all the specifics regarding this powerful nutrient so you can feel like an expert when it comes to supporting your family’s wellness. 

The History of Vitamin B-12 

Vitamins are named after letters simply because they were assigned a letter in the order of their discovery.  

Knowing this, it stands to reason that vitamin B was discovered long ago, and while that’s partially true, it’s not quite the case for B-12. There are eight different B vitamins because it was eventually determined that the nutrient once called “Vitamin B” has many different components. 

One of those components is the powerhouse now known as B-12, or cobalamin. Vitamin B-12 wasn’t discovered until the 1940s, but it has become a staple in many wellness regimens in the last seven decades.  

How Vitamin B-12 Is Used in The Body 

Vitamin B-12 serves a wide range of functions in the body. Some of the most important functions of B-12 include supporting healthy blood and nerve cells; this multi-talented nutrient is also involved in DNA synthesis and the conversion of food into energy.  

Benefits of Vitamin B-12 

Healthy levels of Vitamin B-12 support things like: 

• Healthy energy metabolism 
• Proper nervous system function 
• Normal cognitive function  

Essentially, when you get enough B-12, you’re more likely to feel your best in your daily life.  

Sources of Vitamin B-12 

B-12 is only available from animal sources, which is why vegans and vegetarians often seek supplemental sources. Foods like organ meats, beef and tuna are some of the most abundant sources of Vitamin B-12.  

You never have to worry that you’re getting too much B-12. Vitamin B-12 is unique because it has no established tolerable upper intake level (UL). This is due to the fact that B-12 has low potential for toxicity, even when taken in very high doses. 

Adding KAL’s B-12 Supplements to Your Diet 

Whether you and your family stick to a vegetarian diet or you just want to be entirely sure you’re getting plenty of Vitamin B-12, you can easily incorporate supplements into your routine.  

KAL offers everything from B-12 Activmelts to Liquid ActivSpray for support in whatever format fits your family best. Vegetarians and vegans looking for a simple way to incorporate Vitamin B-12 into their diets can try eating fortified foods, like KAL Nutritional Yeast Flakes. This allows them to boost their intake of Vitamin B-12 without altering their lifestyle dramatically. 

Designing a supplement and food routine tailored to your family can feel complicated, but understanding the impact of specific nutrients makes it easier to manage. Try incorporating B-12 into your regimen and enjoy the benefits that follow!