Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the human body. It helps the system create energy from the food that we eat, along with creating DNA and red blood cells. If you’re not getting enough vitamin B12 from your diet, or because you have a condition that doesn’t allow your body to absorb it, the best vitamin B12 liquid drops could help (1). 

A good way to get vitamin B12 into your system is through liquid drops taken sublingually (under the tongue). This is a method of consumption that many people consider optimal because a liquid dosage, unlike a pill or capsule, does not have to be broken down in a multi-stepped manner. For example, a capsule has to be protected from the extreme acid in your stomach, and what protects it is the casing around it. After the capsule passes through the digestive tract, it then has to pass through the liver, which then breaks down and alters the active ingredient. With every step the capsule goes through, the active ingredient gets altered a bit more. 

That’s where liquid drops are different. When you put a liquid drop under your tongue, it goes right into the bloodstream and bypasses the digestive enzymes and the liver’s filtration system. It’s fast and effective, but you should not take pills sublingually that are meant to be swallowed. They are designed to be swallowed for a reason, and taking them sublingually could be dangerous for your system. Always take medications as they are directed. 

Vitamin B12 And The Sublingual Route

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that not everyone gets the right amount of. The body doesn’t make enough of this nutrient on its own, which is why we need to glean it from the food that we eat. But that isn’t possible for everyone. If your doctor diagnoses you with a vitamin B12 deficiency, they might recommend that you start taking a vitamin B12 supplement. These are available in pill or capsule form, or in sublingual doses. If you have a severe deficiency, they might even recommend that you start on a vitamin B12 injection regimen. 

Is Sublingual More Effective?

Taking vitamin B12 sublingually is effective, and the vitamin can get into your system efficiently this way. But when it comes to whether or not this method is more or less effective than taking a pill or capsule, research is inconclusive. When it comes to comparing it against injections, though, research found that a sublingual dose had a higher absorption rate within the body - making it the better option between the two. 

If you have pernicious anemia, taking a sublingual dose of vitamin B12 could be a good option for you. People with this condition do not have a certain protein that can help the body absorb vitamin B12, which means the vitamin can’t effectively enter their body through the digestive system. 

How To Use Sublingual Supplements

There are two types of vitamin B12 supplements - vitamin B12 tablets and liquid drops. Whichever you choose, place the correct dosage under your tongue and let it dissolve completely without swallowing. 

Vitamin B12 Side Effects

In general, vitamin B12 supplements are considered safe, but those who have a vitamin B12 deficiency and therefore have to take a higher dosage may experience certain side effects. These side effects include dizziness, headache, anxiety, nausea, and vomiting. Always check with your doctor before incorporating vitamin B12 into your routine to make sure that you’re taking a dosage that’s right for you. 

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

If you’re not getting enough vitamin B12 in your diet, meaning you have a deficiency, you may experience some unpleasant symptoms. These symptoms include fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, and weight loss. 

Vitamin B12 deficiencies are more commonly seen in older adults. Not having enough vitamin B12 in your system can lead to neurological symptoms, since this nutrient is essential for optimal nervous system function. These symptoms include confusion, poor memory, depression, and poor balance. These symptoms can also be linked to other conditions or deficiencies in other nutrients, so it’s important to get checked out by a doctor instead of diagnosing yourself. 

Who Is At Risk For A Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Along with older adults, there are other groups of people who have a higher risk of being deficient in vitamin B12. Other people who may be more likely to have a vitamin B12 deficiency are:

• People with gastritis, whose systems have a hard time absorbing foods that contain vitamin B12. 
• Those with pernicious anemia. 
• Those with gastrointestinal issues, along with those who have undergone weight loss surgery, because of malabsorption issues. 
• Vegans and vegetarians may be at risk for a vitamin B12 deficiency because many of the foods that contain vitamin B12 are animal products like meat, eggs, and dairy. 

Resources

1. Wong, Nopell. "Sublingual vitamin B12: is taking supplements under your tongue more effective?" Health Guide, 3 Mar. 2021, ro.co/health-guide/sublingual-b12/#:~:text=Taking vitamin B12 sublingually may,B12 (Ankar, 2020).
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