Does Sublingual B-12 Work?

Having adequate supplies of the vitamin B-12 in the body is important because many of the body's basic metabolic and neurological functions require its presence. Although there are a variety of ways to obtain B-12, taking the supplement sublingually, meaning under the tongue, is an effective, painless and convenient method for the body.

Necessity of Vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-12, or cobalamin, assists with many of the body's vital functions. B-12 is responsible for the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, protein synthesis, cell division, blood formation, and maintenance of the nervous system. Deficiencies are due to either malabsorption or inadequate dietary intake. B-12 deficiencies can occur in the elderly, people with pernicious anemia or other gastrointestinal disorders, and those who follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet. Symptoms of B-12 deficiency include anemia, depression and emotional upset, poor memory, dementia, cerebrovascular disease, neuropathy, and myelopathy.

Methods of B-12 Consumption

Vitamin B-12 may be received through diet, intramuscular injections, and orally. Each method has benefits and drawbacks. Obtaining B-12 from the diet alone may be difficult, since it is neither made by plants nor animals but rather is produced by bacteria. Unless foods are fortified, B-12 is only reliably consumed from dairy, eggs and meat. Intramuscular injections work well at providing B-12, but they can be painful, expensive and inconvenient because they are administered by a health care provider. Oral ingestion of B12, whether sublingual or swallowed, is painless, inexpensive and convenient.

Benefits

Sublingual B-12 is placed under the tongue and is absorbed directly and rapidly into the bloodstream. Sublingual blood vessels allow for immediate absorption to occur. With sublingual B-12, all the vitamin is absorbed. With the tablet, nutrients can be destroyed by strong acids and enzymes in the digestive system. Sublingual B-12 is beneficial for those with digestive disorders and pernicious anemia, where B-12 cannot be obtained via digestion due to lack of intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is a digestive substance in the gastrointestinal tract necessary for the intestinal absorption of vitamin B-12.

Sublingual B-12 is easier on the digestive system than the tablet. People who find swallowing pills difficult may appreciate the convenience of the sublingual form. Sublingual B-12 also interferes less with other medications or vitamins.

Drawbacks

By taking sublingual B-12, irritation may occur in the mouth and tongue. Deficiencies of vitamin B-9 and B-12 can mask each other. If the true deficiency lies with vitamin B-9, this must be addressed before taking B-12 in isolation.

Effective Method

Sublingual B-12 is an effective method of obtaining the vitamin. In a 2002 study published in the "Saskatchewan Drug Information Serve Drug News," 2000 micrograms of sublingual B-12 was found to be a safe, effective and convenient treatment. The researchers concluded that sublingual B-12 quickly and efficiently restores serum concentration and is effective at absorption. A more recent study published in December 2003 in the "British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" found that sublingual administration of 500 micrograms of B-12 was effective in correcting any vitamin deficiencies.

Oral ingestion of B-12 is a safe and highly effective method of ingesting the vitamin. Benefits of sublingual B-12 may make it a more preferable form of receiving it.