Vitamin B12: what is it?

You’re always tired in the afternoon? Grocery bags feel like a million pounds? You put your keys in the fridge again?

Vitamin B12 is one of the eight B vitamins, and helps the normal function of the nervous system, and the formation of red blood cells.

Like all B vitamins, vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin and dissolves in water when travelling through the blood stream.

Structurally, vitamin B12 is both the largest and most complicated vitamin. B12 is produced through bacterial fermentation synthesis and is made by anaerobic microorganisms (i.e. bacteria that do not require oxygen to live).

Why is vitamin B12 important?

Vitamin B12 contributes towards the normal functioning of the nervous system and in the formation of red blood cells. In addition, it also has a role to play in the process of cell division.

Every minute, the human body produces millions of red blood cells. Vitamin B12 can contribute to this process.

What foods are high in vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is found naturally in animal products such as fish, meat, eggs, and dairy products. However, it does not normally occur in plant foods. Foods that are a great source of vitamin B12 include:

This can pose a bit of problem for vegans who consume no animal products. The highest levels of B12 from vegan sources are often in the form of fortified grains, like breakfast cereals and certain soya milk.
Berocca contains B vitamins, including B12. As mentioned above, B vitamins are water-soluble so they’re harder for your body to store.

Luckily, it's absolutely fine to glug down a Berocca every day – in fact, we recommend it!