Ensure You Get Enough Vitamin B12 With These Foods And Supplementst
Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that we need to get enough of every day. It is one of eight B vitamins, and also goes under the name of cobalamin.
We need vitamin B12 for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is associated with the reduction of tiredness and fatigue as it helps to release energy from food and also helps with normal energy release.
Vitamin B12 also contributes to normal psychological function as well as contributing to the normal function of the immune system and nervous system.
Another important function of vitamin B12 is its contribution to normal homocysteine metabolism, an important factor in heart health.
As the B vitamins are water soluble, they leave the body when we urinate so we need to ensure an adequate intake every day.
The UK’s Department of Health recommends that adults get 1.5μg a day of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is measured in micrograms (mcg or µg).
Below are the best sources of vitamin B12.
The Best Vitamin B12 Foods
Below are various foods to include in your diet to help maintain levels of vitamin B12.
You might notice that the foods containing the highest amounts of vitamin B12 include meat, fish and dairy foods. This may mean that vegans or those who don’t eat animal foods don’t get enough vitamin B12 as it isn’t found naturally in foods such as fruit, vegetables and grains.
- Clams - 98.9μg per 100g
- Tuna - 10.9μg per 100g
- King Crab - 15.4μg per crab leg
- Beef - 7.5μg per 100g
- Fortified Cereals - 6.1μg per ¾ cup
- Fortified Soy Milk - 1.2μg per 100g
- Fortified Tofu - 1.5μg per 100g
- Low Fat Milk - 0.5μg per 100g
- Swiss Cheese - 3.1μg per 100g
- Eggs - 0.6μg per one egg
Of course, many experts believe there are times when higher levels of vitamin B12 can be beneficial; a supplement can help safeguard those levels.