Thanks to its versatile role within the human body, vitamin B12 offers a number of benefits to your overall health and wellness when taken regularly. Though the goal should be to gain as many nutrients as possible from your natural diet, it may sometimes be difficult to ensure that you are receiving enough of each one, as busy schedules and food preferences can often hinder a well-balanced diet. One quick and easy way to boost your levels of vitamin B12 or any other micronutrient is to start taking a multivitamin or individual vitamin supplement. In this article, we will explore some of the potential benefits you may experience while taking the best vitamin B12 liquid drops.

Natural Energy

The benefit that is perhaps most commonly associated with vitamin B12 is increased energy. But why does having a sufficient amount of this powerful micronutrient in your body make you feel boosted? Vitamin B12 and several other B complex vitamins are responsible for breaking down the food that you eat and converting it into glucose, which is then used to power your cells (1). More glucose reaching your cells faster means more energy for you. Essentially, B12 provides a small boost for your metabolism, helping you process foods and gain energy more efficiently. In fact, with a ready supply of vitamin B12 in their system, some may even find themselves powering through the 2PM feeling without needing to reach for a cup of coffee. In this way, B12 can become a replacement for caffeine in your day, allowing you to cut out unnecessary sugars and gain energy from a slightly more natural source.

Boost Mood and Neurological Function

As we mentioned, vitamin B12 plays a role in various systems throughout your body. Apart from boosting your cells and metabolism, it also assists with some aspects of neurological function and brain health. In fact, vitamin B12 is essential to the creation of mood-regulating hormones and neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine (2). Those with a B12 deficiency may be at greater risk to experience depressive symptoms, thanks to a subsequent decrease in serotonin production. Taking a vitamin B12 supplement alongside antidepressants may be a more effective way to improve the symptoms of depression than simply taking antidepressants alone. However, you should only do so if instructed by your doctor.

Vitamin B12 deficiency may also lead to memory loss and an overall decrease in neurological function, especially in older adults. Unfortunately, this deficiency is typically more common in older individuals, who may have a difficult time absorbing sufficient amounts of vitamin B12 compared to younger individuals (3). In this case, taking a supplement containing vitamin B12 may help improve the memory loss that has occurred as a result of the deficiency.

Decrease Health Risks

On top of its abilities to give your body some much-needed boosts, vitamin B12 may also have some preventative qualities when it comes to serious health conditions. Several of the B complex vitamins are known for being able to break down a chemical called homocysteine, and vitamin B12 is no exception. High levels of homocysteine have been linked with a number of chronic conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, heart disease, osteoporosis, stroke, and general neurological decline (4). In order to regulate the amount of homocysteine in your body and prevent the levels from reaching dangerous heights, it is essential that you make sure you are consuming enough vitamin B12 and other B complex vitamins on a regular basis. If you feel you are not gaining a sufficient amount from your diet already, then liquid drops and multivitamins may be able to help.

As you might imagine, vitamin B12 is one of many vitamins your doctor may instruct you to take during pregnancy. Like other B complex vitamins, it plays a vital role in the development of the brain and the nervous system. In fact, when taken in conjunction with vitamin B9, it may be able to reduce the risk of serious spinal and neural birth defects, such as spina bifida (5). It also takes part in the formation of red blood cells as well as DNA synthesis, making it an essential nutrient for your baby’s growth. Most prenatal vitamins will likely contain vitamin B12, so follow the instructions of your doctor when taking any supplements during pregnancy.

Resources

1. Morris, Susan York. “Vitamins for Energy: Does B-12 Work?” healthline, 17 September 2018, https://www.healthline.com/health/b12-vitamins-for-energy.
2. Berkheiser, Kaitlyn. “9 Health Benefits of Vitamin B12, Based on Science.” healthline, 14 June 2018, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-b12-benefits.
3. Wong, C.W. “Vitamin B12 Deficiency in the Elderly: Is It Worth Screening?” Hong Kong Medical Journal, April 2015, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25756278.
4. “In Brief: B Vitamins and Homocysteine.” Harvard Health Publishing, 9 March 2014, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/In_brief_B_vitamins_and_homocysteine.
5. “Roles of Vitamin B in Pregnancy.” American Pregnancy Association, 2021, https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/vitamin-b-pregnancy.