Read this B12 patch review to find out what you need to know…

Why the vitamin B12 patch?
For many people that have a B12 deficiency, the problem is not that they’re not consuming enough B12 in their food, but rather that their bodies are having trouble properly metabolizing it. In turn, a number of alternative delivery methods have been concocted to help us with absorption.
There are liquid versions, but some question whether or not a unhealthy or abnormal digestive system will process it properly. One of the great things about the vitamin B12 patch is that it’s applied directly to the skin, and hence, it can be absorbed without having to run its course through your digestive tract.

Does the B12 patch work?
All you have to do is look towards other areas of modern medicine to see that this is a good technique. For example, smokers have been using them to help them kick the habit for years. There are also a wide array of other medicines which have been administered through patches. This approach is especially common when treating the elderly, who are more likely to have absorption difficulties.

How much does the B12 patch cost?
Fortunately since this is method of delivery has been around for a few decades and mass produced, it’s now possible to get it at an affordable price. Of course the vitamin B12 patch is a newer invention, but the technology behind it isn’t… so that means the prices should be rather reasonable. The other great thing about the patch method is that since it has been around for so long, scientists have had plenty of time to perfect it.

Where to buy B12 patch?
This is question I have been asked multiple times. Unfortunately, because this is such a specialty item, there are many physical stores that carry it. I’ve never seen it at a store, but if you do see it, I bet they will price gouge you since its such a rarity. This is why I buy my supplements through the internet and mailorder. That way you can get exactly what you want (like the vitamin B12 patch) and still pay a great price for it.

An example of a liquid vitamin B12 supplement.

Q: Why do some people prefer liquid vitamin B12?

A: Vitamin B12 is one of the eight B vitamins humans need to live (a.k.a. as an “essential” vitamin). If you eat a balanced diet you probably get more than enough through your food. B12 can be found in things like clams, oysters, liver, lobster, cheese, beef, eggs, and other animal source. Unfortunately, it can’t be found in veggies.

Absorption
So the chances are that you probably already get more than enough vitamin B12 through your diet. Our bodies even have a built in safety; the liver stores up to years worth of B12 which can be converted and used by our bodies when needed. So the problem usually isn’t that you don’t get enough, but rather that some people aren’t able to absorb it properly (and in turn, that leads to deficiency. The reason many are turning to the liquid vitamin B12 form is because they believe it may be easier to absorb.

Regular vs. Liquid
Regular vitamins are usually hard, large pills. After you swallow them, your body must break them down before you can begin to absorb their ingredients. Sometimes this takes awhile to occur. In fact, some poor quality vitamin supplements might not ever break down completely while passing through your body. Fortunately, most reputable ones do get the job done. But for those with digestive disturbances and health issues, some say it’s better to use liquid formulations which can be more quickly absorbed. Considering that the problem usually involves absorption problem with the body, a liquid B12 supplement sounds like a wise idea.

B12 Deficiency Symptoms
The only way to know for sure whether or not you are vitamin B12 deficient is to be evaluated by a doctor. Some of the side effects are similar to other conditions, so it’s impossible to conclude from those alone.

That being said, since vitamin B12 plays a crucial part in your body’s energy production on the cellular level, not getting enough can lead to lack of energy, impaired mental conditions, and other side effects which accompany such. If you have been diagnosed with a deficiency, you should talk to your doctor to see if liquid B12 is the right choice for you. There are also other methods which are believed to offer increased absorption; the vitamin B12 patch and sublingual B12.

Q: What is sublingual vitamin B12 and why is it said to be better?

A: Usually when someone has B12 deficiency, it’s not because they aren’t getting enough in their diet, but rather their bodies aren’t absorbing it properly. To bypass the digestive tract, sublingual vitamin B12 is absorbed in the mouth and under the tongue.

Sublingual refer to taking place in the sublingual gland, which is underneath the tongue. It is known for its excellent ability to absorb nutrients or medications which are dissolved in the mouth.

Deficiency
There are circumstances where your diet may be responsible for a B12 deficiency. Because this nutrient only comes from meat, dairy, and poultry, if you don’t consume those things then you aren’t getting any vitamin B12. When this is the case, you will need to get it through a supplement.

Meanwhile others, as mentioned, get more than enough through what they consume, but the problem is that they are not able to metabolize it properly. There are many different conditions which can cause this. For example, if you’ve had surgery in the gastric region, or this area simply doesn’t operate normally on you, then it may not be able to absorb the B12 like it should. Although these things can occur at any age, deficiency is more prevalent in older adults.

Because this vitamin is essential for energy metabolism in your cells, if you are not getting enough it can be a real danger. However only your doctor would be able to diagnose insufficient levels.

A body’s have an excellent defense to maintain proper levels – it does this by storing a substance in our liver which can be converted to B12, if needed. It has been said that there is enough to supply our bodies for years. However it is hard to say if a healthy amount would be converted, or only the bare minimum we need to survive.

How To Take Sublingual Vitamin B12
This product most commonly comes in a tablet form. Directions may vary depending upon the dosage, but usually the users is instructed to place on tab in their mouth and let it dissolve under their tongue. Some call these a vitamin B12 lozenge. Although this substance in itself doesn’t really have a taste, some are even enhanced with flavors to make them more enjoyable.

Benefits
The claims have not been evaluated by the FDA, but many reportedly say that increased B12 intake leads to increased energy. I read some reviews where people even used it in place of caffeine for their morning and afternoon pick-me-up.

Whether you have a deficiency due to poor absorption, your diet, or you simply want to increase your intake, sublingual vitamin B12 is an excellent way to do so.

The answer is this is by no means a fad. B12 is actually necessary for you to make blood and energy.

A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause low energy levels, fatigue, poor memory, lack of hunger, and soreness of the tongue and mouth. If left untreated, the consequences can be deadly.

I don’t know if it is correct or not, but I read on one site that fifteen thousand people die a year from being B12 deficient. When you don’t get enough, the result is anemia due to your blood not working and replicating properly. However there’s no way to know for sure whether or not you are not getting enough unless you see a doctor. Therefore do not take what is said here as a tool to do so, because it’s not. You should never try and treat yourself; that should only be done under the instruction of a professional.

Do I get enough B12?
Another point to make is that most of us get our required intake of B12 through eating. It is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in things like shellfish, cheese, milk, and meat. If you don’t eat these (i.e. you’re a vegan) then you will need B12 supplements in some form to get this essential nutrient.

Also it is said that the human liver stores several years worth of this nutrient, so it’s uncommon for a healthy person to not get enough. That being said, it is processed through digestion. Hydrochloric acid separates the B12 from the protein and absorbs it. But if you have something known as pernicious anemia you may not be able to absorb enough. Or if you have abnormalities with organs in the tract, you also may not get enough. It has been said that up to thirty percent of older people do not metabolize it properly.
Even if you do get enough, many people swear by the benefits of increasing their intake. Most energy drinks and supplements on the market include this as a primary ingredient for this alleged benefit.

Using B12 Supplements For Deficiency
If you aren’t getting enough or your body isn’t metabolizing enough, your doctor can recommend to you any of the various supplements on the market. Nowadays you can purchase B12 vitamins in many different forms. Many people favor the forms which have a reportedly higher absorption rate, like liquid B12 and the B12 patch.

Like almost everything in life, there are some misconceptions floating around about what B12 can and cannot do. The truth of the matter is there’s a reason it’s called the energy vitamin; it’s an essential element required for your cells to metabolize energy correctly. This is why vitamin B12 is widely used by athletes and in energy supplements.

So the claims about it helping energy levels are based in reality. I don’t think it’s that people are trying to spread false information about it, but rather I think it is that people don’t research B12 like you are doing now. Instead they hear something from a friend about it and then tell that information to someone else. It’s a game of telephone and before you know it there is information being passed around that is exaggerated. So let’s get back down to reality and take a look at what it actually does.
Where does B12 come from?

The fact is that most people – assuming they have a proper diet – get plenty of vitamin B12 from their food alone. It’s found in all sorts of foods; egg yolks, kidney, liver, fatty fish, and sardines. Notice there are no veggies in that list… this is because they do not produce B12. That means if you don’t eat meat, milk, or cheese, you need to be taking a supplement in order to get it. Vitamins produce it through a synthetic chemical process so they do not derive it from animals.

Why B12 for energy?
So we’ve already established that you probably get enough with a proper diet, so why would you take extra B12? Well there are a number of people whom have digestive systems which don’t process the B12 properly from their food. So even though they are getting enough their body is not able to use it. This results in deficiency. Symptoms of not getting enough include feeling lethargic, sleepy, and simply not enough energy for even simple daily living.

When your body isn’t processing the B12 properly, then physicians often administer B12 shots or they recommend the patient takes a vitamin supplement for it. Obviously it’s impossible to self diagnose, so if you suspect you have a deficiency you will want to chat with your doctor about it.

Who uses vitamin B12 energy?
Those diagnosed with a B12 deficiency use it. However there is also a large body of research that points to B12 possibly being beneficial in other situations, too. Many speculate that that having an extra boost of B12 (or a super B complex) may help with their energy levels. In fact, what is considered by many to be the best energy drink (Red Bull) contains double the recommended daily dosage of it. Many others use it too.

Professional athletes are also known for getting B12 shots from their doctors. There’s been a lot of amazing record broken the last decade or two… so does it help or not? Well as far as I know, the government has yet to do a conclusive study to verify this claim, so that’s a decision you and your doctor would need to make.

What Are The best energy supplements?
I get asked this question a lot and I don’t have an exact answer. Rather, I advise people to look for beneficial ingredients – like vitamin B12 – as well as super B complex and other ingredients which will help your body perform at its best.

Where Does B12 Come From?
The scientists call it cyanocobalamin, but what is it exactly? It’s a substance that is found in animal-based foods. Examples include liver, eggs, clams, fish, and meats. However it’s not that the animal’s themselves make the substance, but rather natural bacteria in their body produces it. It is part of the B complex family. Therefore it is especially important for vegetarians to use vitamin B12 supplement. Most people get a sufficient supply from their dietary intake and since the liver can store a pretty large amount of it, deficiency from diet is rare. However, there are other causes.

What Is The Function of Vitamin B12?
Did you know that every single cell in your body utilizes B12 in their metabolic process? Therefore, it’s a part of your body’s energy production. It is a key part of blood synthesis, which is why people with anemia often need injections of it. Because it is an essential part of your DNA, you can see why it’s so important for healthy blood; including red & white cells as well the platelets. These cells need vitamin B12 in order to reproduce properly.

It has also been associated with a number of nervous system functions. Numerous places in the digestive system need it to work properly. Having proper levels are extra important for pregnant and lactating mothers. The most common symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency include lack of energy, excess sleepiness, frequent infections, and a sore (yet smooth) tongue.

Because the vast majority of diets include plenty of this substance in the form of meats and dairy, deficiency from not getting enough is rare. However deficiency frequently occurs due to another reason; your body’s inability to properly metabolize it through your food. As you age and the years get up there, this is increasing likely. Or if you had had surgery of the gastric tract (including bypass) then your body may not be able absorb enough naturally, even if you are getting an ample amount from your food.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Diagnosis
If you suspect you may have a deficiency, you need to consult a physician because only they can find out whether you have a deficiency. If you are a healthy, younger individual, you probably are getting the recommended daily dosage. That being said, some people believe that having more than that may help to boost your energy levels.

The other reason you need to consult a physician is because there are all sorts of other circumstances which may cause similar symptoms. Also I should point out that information on this site should not be used for diagnosis or treatment, because I’m not a physician nor have any formal training in this area. Rather, I am just someone that found out I wasn’t getting enough naturally due to my vegetarian diet… then I found  the answer to my question of what is vitamin B12 used for, and since then, I have been taking vitamins for it.

Vitamin B12 Supplement Treatment
Thanks to modern medicine, there are many different ways people ways can augment their natural intake. Vitamin B12 shots are one way and they are commonly administered. Others like the idea of orally consuming a liquid vitamin B12. Then of course there are many health supplements which contain an abundant amount, but some are better than ever so make sure you do your research.

My Story
I’ve been a vegetarian since the age of four. Yes, it’s very unusual, especially considering that no one in my family is vegetarian. So why did I become one so early on? Well in head start, my teacher said something about the negative effects of meat on our health. I don’t recall exactly what it was, but from that day forward I never ate meat. Of course my mom thought it would just be a brief phase considering how young I was, but it wasn’t… from that day forward I didn’t eat any meat. With the exception of eggs, I did eat dairy products though. Surprisingly, I didn’t take any vitamins or supplements growing up. Yet I had a comprehensive and complete blood panel done when I was 18 and everything was normal, including my vitamin B12 levels.

Going Vegan
When I was 24, I decided to go vegan and completely cut out my dairy intake (which I had drastically scaled back in recent years anyway). Around this time, I was fortunate enough to stumble across an article about vitamin B12 benefits. As it turns out, there is absolutely zero B12 in plant based diets! So that means while I was growing up, I was getting it through my dairy intake (good thing since I didn’t take supplements!) but now that I’m no longer eating those animal-based foods, I will have a vitamin B12 deficiency unless I take vegetarian vitamins.

In my opinion, cutting out meat and dairy is the best dietary decision you could make. Fortunately, almost every nutrient we can get naturally through plant-derived ingredients. However this is just one of those things that there is no way to get it through our food alone. That being said, there are vitamin B12 vegetarian supplements which use use non-animal substances in their creation.

What’s The Best Vegan Vitamin?
Just in the last decade alone, we have seen a wide array of supplements hit the market that are geared towards us, so there are plenty to choose from. Unfortunately, we can rarely get the ones we need at the local drugstore. I buy vitamin supplements for myself online; not only is the selection better, but the prices are insanely cheaper than the outrageous markups we see at the stores.

So I don’t think there is a best, per say. But if you’re vegan, you obviously want one without gelatin (because that’s made from the joint tissue of cows… yuck!). You also want one that is taken 2-3 different times throughout the day, because there are many vitamins that only stay in your bloodstream for hours before your body expels them. Last but not least, although almost all of them contain vitamin B12, many of the big store brands skip on the pricier (yet important) nutrients, so you will want vegetarian multi vitamins that includes things like CoQ10 and omega fatty acids. Fortunately, the best vegetarian supplements don’t have to cost you an arm and a leg.