Why Everyone Following a Plant-Based Diet Should Take Vitamin B12

Why Everyone Following a Plant-Based Diet Should Take Vitamin B12

Switching to a plant-based diet is one of the best decisions many people make for their health, the planet and animal welfare. A well-planned vegan diet can provide almost everything your body needs, but there's one nutrient that deserves special attention: vitamin B12.

Unlike most vitamins, vitamin B12 isn't naturally found in reliable amounts in unfortified plant foods. That's why every major vegan nutrition organisation recommends that people following a vegan diet obtain vitamin B12 from fortified foods or a high quality supplement.

Here's why vitamin B12 should be a key part of your daily routine.

What Is Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that helps your body:

• Release energy from the food you eat 
• Support the normal functioning of your nervous system 
• Form healthy red blood cells 
• Support normal psychological function 
• Maintain the normal function of the immune system 
• Help reduce tiredness and fatigue.

Because your body can't produce vitamin B12 itself, it must come from your diet or a supplement.

Why Plant-Based Diets Need Extra Attention

Vitamin B12 is made by microorganisms and is naturally present in foods from animal sources because animals accumulate it through their diet or supplementation. Unfortunately, unfortified fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and nuts are not reliable sources of active vitamin B12 so it’s important to seek out absorbable, active types of B12 from other sources.

While some plant-based foods are fortified with B12, relying on these alone can make it difficult to consistently meet your daily needs.

And for this reason, most health professionals recommend a dependable vitamin B12 supplement for anyone following a vegan diet.

Can You Get Enough B12 From Plant Foods?

You've probably heard that foods like spirulina, nutritional yeast or mushrooms contain vitamin B12.

But here's the reality...

Fortified nutritional yeast can be a useful source - but only if B12 has been added.

Fortified plant milks and breakfast cereals can contribute to your intake, but this can be limited.

Spirulina, seaweed and most algae are not considered reliable sources of active vitamin B12 for humans (although we love them as these are very nutrient-dense power-house sources of a wide range of nutrients and antioxidants!)

That's why supplementation is generally the simplest and most reliable option.

Why Choose a Plant-Based Vitamin B12 Supplement?

A vegan vitamin B12 supplement offers several benefits:

1. Reliable Intake - You know exactly how much vitamin B12 you're getting every day.
2.  Convenient - One quick and easy serving is far easier than tracking fortified foods.
3. Suitable for many diets and lifestyles - Vegan, Vegetarian or anyone who just wants to add more plant-based foods to their diet. 

Supports Long-Term Health

Maintaining healthy vitamin B12 levels helps support normal energy metabolism, nervous system function and psychological wellbeing.

Why We Use Methylcobalamin

It’s important to know that not all vitamin B12 supplements are equal and contain the same form of B12.

Our Vegan Multivitamin contains methylcobalamin, the active form of vitamin B12 that's ready for the body to use and much more easily absorbable.

Alongside max-strength vitamin B12, our advanced Vegan Multivitamin also provides:

• 200% of your daily Vegan vitamin D3 (From Lichen)
• 200% of your daily Iron
• 200% of your daily Zinc
• 200% of your daily Iodine and
• 50% of your daily Calcium 
  

A complete blend of essential vitamins and minerals to support everyday health

Instead of buying several separate supplements, you can support your daily nutritional needs with two convenient capsules per day.

Our Vegan Multivitamin Capsules take away the away the guess-work when it comes to daily nutrition.

To learn more about the different forms of vitamin B12, read our guide: Vitamin B12 for Vegans: Methylcobalamin vs Cyanocobalamin – What's the Difference?

Frequently Asked Questions 

Do I need a vitamin B12 supplement if I eat a healthy plant-based diet

Yes. Even a balanced vegan diet may not provide enough reliable vitamin B12 unless you regularly consume fortified foods or take a supplement.

Can I get vitamin B12 from vegetables?

No. Vegetables are not considered reliable sources of active vitamin B12.

Is nutritional yeast enough?

Only fortified nutritional yeast contains added vitamin B12, and the amount can vary between brands.

How often should I take vitamin B12?

Follow the directions on your chosen supplement. A daily vegan multivitamin can be a simple way to maintain a consistent intake.

The Bottom Line

A plant-based diet can provide an abundance of nutrients, but vitamin B12 is the one essential vitamin that requires a little extra planning. Because unfortified plant foods aren't reliable sources, taking a high-quality plant-based vitamin B12 supplement is one of the simplest ways to support your long-term health and wellbeing.

Choosing a vegan multivitamin with active methylcobalamin makes it easy to support your daily vitamin B12 intake while also topping up other key nutrients that can be harder to obtain from a plant-based diet.

This article is for general information only and should not be considered medical advice. If you're concerned about your vitamin B12 levels or have symptoms of deficiency, speak to your GP or another qualified healthcare professional.