The Best Way to Take Vitamin B12

Overview

The body stores B-12 in the liver for several years, so deficiency is rare. People who may benefit from supplements include pregnant women; strict vegetarians; anyone with a gastrointestinal disorder that may impede B-12 absorption, such as celiac disesase; anyone with chronic liver or kidney disease; anyone with alcoholism; anyone taking medication for arthritis and men and women over 50 who may not be getting enough vitamin B-12 for a variety of age-related reasons, including a reduced ability to absorb the vitamin.

Supplements in pill form that are dissolved sublingually (under the tongue) have the advantage of bypassing the intestinal absorption process and passing directly from the mouth into the bloodstream. They are also less expensive and, for many people, more pleasant than nasal gels and injections.

Step 1

Choose a sublingual tablet that contains approximately 500 micrograms of vitamin B-12 if you're deficient in the vitamin.

Step 2

Lift your tongue and place one sublingual B-12 tablet in the space behind your teeth, under your tongue.

Step 3

Try not to swallow the pill.

Step 4

Close your mouth and let the tablet sit under your tongue for 30 seconds or until completely dissolved.