Sublingual Vitamin 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.
