Sublingual vitamins are different from what many consider to be regular vitamins because of the method by which the vitamins enter the human body. The word sublingual comprises two key pieces of information regarding how sublingual vitamins work – the Latin prefix “sub,” meaning under or beneath, and the Latin root “lingua”, meaning the tongue. This is precisely how sublingual vitamins are administered, whether you’re taking sublingual vitamin B-12, sublingual vitamin D, or sublingual multivitamins (or even a sublingual multivitamin spray). Of course, you should always consult with your primary care physician before using any supplements, and be sure to ask your doctor if you have any questions about how to take sublingual vitamins.

But why should it be administered underneath the tongue? The primary answer is because of the biology of the human body – the proximity of blood vessels beneath the tongue allows for vitamins to be quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. This process can be particularly beneficial for people suffering from gastrointestinal inflammation; while the oral administration of certain supplements may cause additional irritation along the gastrointestinal tract, sublingual vitamins are able to take a shortcut as opposed to going through the whole digestive process. 

Additionally, due to manufacturers’ use of fillers or binders in many vitamin pill products, sometimes users may absorb only 10-20% of the vitamins and nutrients into their bloodstream. Not only are sublingual vitamins more quickly absorbed by the body, but they also allow your body to absorb more than would be possible if ingested orally. 

For these reasons and many others, the demand for sublingual vitamins and other sublingual supplemental products has steadily increased. Sublingual vitamins can provide a great solution for people who struggle to swallow pills, or if other gastrointestinal issues make traditional vitamin administration more difficult. 

Sublingual Vitamin B-12

Better Family offers some of the best sublingual vitamins available, like sublingual B-12. The human body requires vitamin B-12 to produce red blood cells, and B-12 also supports cell metabolism and the all-important production of DNA. While numerous diets allow for B-12 consumption by way of fish, poultry, meat, and dairy products, people who adhere to vegan or vegetarian diets may be susceptible to a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Other potential causes or contributors to vitamin B-12 deficiencies might include inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis) or Celiac disease.

Some B-12 sublingual benefits include the ability to absorb vitamin B-12 into the body without exacerbating gastrointestinal symptoms. Administering vitamin B-12 sublingually can also be helpful for people with pernicious anemia – a condition in which the body lacks sufficient proteins to help with adequate vitamin B-12 intake. Sublingual vitamins and supplements can be made as tablets or in a liquid form – in either case, the tablet or liquid must be placed under the tongue instead of ingested orally. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, the recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms. Generally, the human body will absorb only as much as necessary and the rest will pass through the system as a waste product. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about your vitamin B-12 sublingual dosage. You may also ask your physician if any of your other medications or supplements could interact with taking vitamin B-12 (taking vitamin C, for example, alongside vitamin B-12 can reduce vitamin B-12’s effectiveness). 

Liquid Supplements and Bodily Absorption

Better Family offers a variety of liquid multivitamins and other sublingual vitamin products that can be delivered right to consumers’ homes – vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, chromium, vitamin D, E, Iodine, vitamin K, zinc, and more. Better Family’s advanced liquid formulation utilizes the highest quality formats of the most important vitamins and minerals necessary to attenuate gaps and deficiencies in normal diets.

Your body could potentially absorb 60-70% more nutrients from a liquid multivitamin than from certain similar pills or capsules. Daily vitamin regimens can help boost overall health, support your body’s immune system, and potentially enable the mind to focus more easily throughout daily tasks. 

If you or a family member has trouble swallowing traditional pills or has a vitamin deficiency, liquid or sublingual vitamins and supplements may be helpful to ensure your body gets all the vitamins and nutrients it needs. Better Family offers free shipping and a convenient custom household schedule so that you can access all the vitamins and supplements you regularly need without having to worry about a backlog or accumulating products you don’t need – and you can always pause or cancel at any time.