What is the recommended dosage of B12 per day?
While the recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms, higher doses have been found to be safe. Your body absorbs only as much as it needs, and any excess passes through your urine.
Is 2500 MCG of B12 too much?
is 2500 mcg b12 too much? B12: If taken daily, it is a very high dose. B12 is typically nontoxic but can have side effects at high doses. If taken once a month, then the dose is f ...
Is too much vitamin B12 a health hazard?
While a necessary vitamin, excessive amounts of B12 can sometimes cause a few unwanted side effects. Although not all of these side effects occur, they may need medical attention in the event that they do. Abdominal or stomach pain Allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) Bleeding from the nose or gums Bluish lips and fingernails Chest pains
What happens when you overdose on vitamin B12?
You cannot overdose on vitamin B12 since it is a water-soluble vitamin. You cannot overdose on vitamin B12 because any excess you simply pee out. If you get b12 shots, you may experience side effects like dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. It is possible to have elevated B12 levels in blood tests, which may indicate cancer or diabetes.
Is it OK to take 1000 mcg of B12 a day?
Taking B12 supplements can be an effective way to treat B12 deficiencies and isn't necessarily inferior to B12 shots. If you're deficient, your doc may recommend you take about 1,000 to 2,000 mcg of vitamin B12.
What happens if you take 1000 mcg of B12?
Potential side effects However, vitamin B12 has been shown to cause rare side effects in some cases. Vitamin B12 injections may lead to skin conditions, such as acne and dermatitis (rash) ( 21 ). High doses of B vitamins over 1,000 mcg have also been associated with complications in people with kidney disease ( 22 ).
Is B12 1000 mcg high?
Recent research, including a 2018 study in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and a 2017 study in the American Family Physician Journal showed that doses between 1,000 and 2,000 micrograms are safe and effective ways to treat symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, including anemia and neurologic symptoms.
How often should you take B12 1000 mcg?
Here are the recommendations I posted: In my professional opinion, the easiest and most inexpensive way to get one's B12 is to take at least 2,500 mcg (µg) of cyanocobalamin once each week, ideally as a chewable, sublingual, or liquid supplement (you can't take too much–all you get is expensive pee).
What happens when your B12 levels are too high?
In some people, high levels of B12 may cause gastrointestinal problems such as bloating and diarrhea. And if you have high blood pressure or poor cardiovascular health, having too much B12 may further complicate these issues. Pregnant and breastfeeding women may also need to be especially mindful of B12 levels.
How many mg of B12 should you take daily?
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient. Fish, shellfish, meat, eggs, and dairy products are good sources of vitamin B12. The amount that should be consumed on a daily basis is called the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). The RDA is 2.4 mcg daily for people 18 years and older.
Can too much B12 cause neuropathy?
Thus, vitamin B12 may be associated with both sensory and motor peripheral nerve function. In older adults, the prevalence of poor peripheral nerve function and neuropathy is high and increases with age18–21.
What medications should not be taken with B12?
Certain medications can decrease the absorption of vitamin B12, including: colchicine, metformin, extended-release potassium products, antibiotics (such as gentamicin, neomycin, tobramycin), anti-seizure medications (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), medications to treat heartburn (such as H2 blockers ...
How many mcg of B12 should you have a day?
Recommended Daily Intake of Vitamin B12 Like any nutrient, be sure to talk to your health care provider about how much vitamin B12 you should be getting each day. In general, adults should be getting 2.4 mcg per day.
Is 500 mcg of B12 a day enough?
The recommended daily intake is between 2 and 2.8 micrograms. However, you can safely go well beyond that number. The max you should have per day is 1,000 micrograms, according to the Harvard School of Public Health, so 500 mcg per day is completely safe.
How much B12 is safe?
Though doses of up to 2,000 mcg of vitamin B12 are considered safe, it’s best to speak to a doctor to find out whether taking a supplement is necessary.
How much B12 should I take daily?
For reference, the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin B12 is 2.4 mcg for both men and women, though pregnant and breastfeeding women have a higher need ( 11. Trusted Source. ).
What is the UL of B12?
UL refers to the maximum daily dose of a vitamin unlikely to cause adverse side effects in the general population. This threshold has not been set for B12 because your body excretes whatever it doesn’t use through your urine. However, supplementing with excessively high levels of B12 has been linked to some negative side effects.
What are the benefits of B12?
For example, studies show that supplemental B12 may benefit people without a deficiency in the following ways: 1 Improved mood: One study found that supplementing healthy men with a B-complex vitamin containing a high dose of B12 improved ratings of stress and enhanced performance on cognitive tests ( 3#N#Trusted Source#N#). 2 Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression: Treatment with a supplement containing a high dose of B12 for 60 days significantly improved depression and anxiety symptoms in adults when compared to a placebo ( 4#N#Trusted Source#N#).
Why is B12 important?
B12 is an important nutrient that is essential for red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis and many other vital processes. Supplements may help boost mood and reduce symptoms of depression in those who are not deficient in this vitamin.
How long does B12 help with anxiety?
Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression: Treatment with a supplement containing a high dose of B12 for 60 days significantly improved depression and anxiety symptoms in adults when compared to a placebo ( 4. Trusted Source. ).
What to do if you are deficient in B12?
If you think you may be deficient in B12, speak with your doctor, who can recommend an appropriate treatment based on your level of deficiency. While no UL has been set for B12, your body’s ability to absorb the vitamin depends on how much it actually needs.
What is the most common form of B12?
The most common form of B12 supplements, such as Nature Made B12 1000, is cyanocobalamin which is chemically synthesized. If you're prescribed a high-dose vitamin B12 supplement to treat a deficiency, some side effects from this type of supplement, according to RX List, may include:
Which antibiotics inhibit the red blood cell response to vitamin B12?
Bacteriostatic antibiotics, such as Chloromycetin, which may inhibit red blood cell response to vitamin B12
How Much Do I Need?
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the daily value for B 12 is 2.4 micrograms for adults. Pregnant women should strive for 2.6 micrograms daily, and lactating mothers should get 2.8 micrograms. You might surmise that taking a daily dose of 1,000 micrograms of B12 would represent 417 percent of your recommended daily amount. However, the National Institutes of Health reports that only about 20 micrograms of B12 from a 1,000-microgram oral supplement would be absorbed by your body. And, because vitamin B12 is water soluble, it doesn't generally stay in your body for long. Any excess is excreted through your urine.
Can B12 cause nausea?
High doses of B12 supplements may lead to side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or weakness. Consult with your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.
Is it safe to take B12 daily?
Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is needed for metabolic functions such as red blood cell production and for aid in protein synthesis. Though it's best to avoid excessive doses of any vitamin, certain situations may justify a daily B12 supplement. High doses are generally safe, but side effects are possible, so check with your doctor before adding B12 ...
Can you take B12 from food?
Although most people get enough vitamin B12 from food, certain situations may require B12 supplementation. According to the National Institutes of Health, these include: Advertisement. People who take certain medications that interfere with vitamin absorption. Strict vegetarians or vegans.
Is B12 1000 bad for you?
Taking a B12 1000 supplement may cause side effects such as diarrhea or stomach upset. Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is needed for metabolic functions such as red blood cell production and for aid in protein synthesis. Though it's best to avoid excessive doses ...
What happens if you take too little vitamin B12?
Too little of this vitamin will result in a deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to issues with balance, memory and soreness of the mouth or tongue. People who are vitamin B12 deficient may also experience confusion, depression or anemia. Low levels of vitamin B12 in women may cause menstrual disturbances or result in the complete absence ...
What foods are high in B12?
You may also want to consider eating more foods that are rich in vitamin B12, like fortified cereals and plant-based milk products , or natural sources of vitamin B12, like eggs, fish and meat. Read more: List of Foods High in Vitamin B12. Advertisement.
What is the B12 nutrient?
Image Credit: Vladislav Nosick/iStock/GettyImages. Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that can be found in many food products, particularly animal products like eggs, dairy, meat and shellfish. Vitamin B12 is considered an essential vitamin because it's able to help the body create red blood cells, produce cellular energy and synthesize DNA. ...
Can low B12 cause menstrual problems?
Low levels of vitamin B12 in women may cause menstrual disturbances or result in the complete absence of menstruation. Advertisement. Vitamin B12 deficiency can occur when there's a lack of this nutrient in the foods you're eating. Because vitamin B12 is found in high amounts in animal products, people who are vegan or vegetarian ...
Is B12 found in animal products?
Because vitamin B12 is found in high amounts in animal products, people who are vegan or vegetarian or who avoid meat products are at increased risk for vitamin B12 deficiencies. Vegans are at the highest risk, as their main source of vitamin B12 may be cereals or other grains fortified with this vitamin. It's also possible to become vitamin B12 ...
Is B12 a high dose?
B12: If taken daily, it is a very high dose. B12 is typically nontoxic but can have side effects at high doses. If taken once a month, then the dose is f ... Read More
Is 1000mcg of b12 too much to take daily?
Maybe: The recommended daily allowance for a health adult is only 2.4 micrograms but depending on other health circumstances such as pernicious anemia or oth... Read More
Is 2500 mcg b12 too much?
B12: If taken daily, it is a very high dose. B12 is typically nontoxic but can have side effects at high doses. If taken once a month, then the dose is f... Read More
Can taking too much b12 be bad?
B12: B12 is water soluble and can be taken in relatively high doses without harm.
Is 1000 iu of vitamin b12 too much?
Check levels first: As a supplement or replenishing a B12 deficiency? I would check the B12 levels first to make sure. Unless you have no meat intake or have difficul... Read More
How many people fail to take B12?
Although the recommended daily dosage for vitamin B12 may not sound much, vitamin B12 deficiency is pretty common! Up to 15% of the population fail to consume enough vitamin B12. That’s because only a few foods contain vitamin B12. Actually, only foods from animal sources contain some amounts of vitamin B12.
What is the blood level of vitamin B12?
As a rule of thumb, vitamin B12 blood values below 170–250 pg/mL for adults indicate a vitamin B12 deficiency. Furthermore, blood values of homocysteine levels higher than 13 micromol/L or blood values of methylmalonic higher than 0.4 micromol/L might also suggest a vitamin B12 deficiency. [1]
What happens when your vitamin B12 is low?
Other symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are hair loss, lack of balance, depression, confusion, dementia, and poor memory.
How long does it take for B12 to work?
Older persons may need vitamin B12 injections, in order, to increase their vitamin B12 blood levels. It takes about 72 hours for vitamin B12 injections to work. [ 6]
When is the best time to take vitamin B12?
The best time to take vitamin B12 supplements is in the morning before eating breakfast or before a meal on an empty stomach.
Can you take vitamin B12 at night?
You better avoid taking vitamin B12 supplements at night, as high doses of vitamin B12 may affect sleep quality. [ 7] . You should eat foods high in melatonin, in order, to sleep better at night, as melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep.
Can seniors take vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 dosage for seniors. There are people that can’t absorb vitamin B12 from food or even oral supplements. In most cases, these are seniors who have reduced levels of stomach acidity or intestinal disorders.
What causes a lack of B12?
B12 Deficiency Causes. The main causes of vitamin B12 deficiency can be divided into three groups: low exogenous intake, poor digestion and malabsorption of the vitamin. The first occurs in strict vegetarians. The pathologies most frequently associated with poor digestion of B12 are atrophic gastritis (related or not to Helicobacter pylori), ...
What are the pathologies associated with poor digestion of B12?
The pathologies most frequently associated with poor digestion of B12 are atrophic gastritis (related or not to Helicobacter pylori), achlorhydria and gastrectomy. Regarding the causes of malabsorption, it is worth mentioning pernicious anemia, a classic example of megaloblastic anemia, in which the parietal cells are destroyed by autoantibodies, ...
What is the role of B12 in cell maturation?
Vitamin B12 or cobalamin plays a key role as a coenzyme in DNA synthesis and cell maturation, as well as in the synthesis of neuronal lipids. The human organism is not able to synthesize it and must obtain it from the diet, mainly from foods of animal origin (meat, milk and derivatives, eggs, fish).
How much cobalamin is excreted by bile?
More than 75% of the cobalamin excreted by bile is reabsorbed. Its urinary elimination is usually low. Advertisement. The daily requirements of vitamin B12 are approximately 2 to 2.5 μg, provided in a balanced diet. The tissue stores of B12 are wide, between 3 and 10 mg, and can take decades to empty.
Where is B12 absorbed?
It is absorbed in the distal ileum, after passing through the small intestine linked to the intrinsic factor (IF), a protein synthesized in the parietal cells of the gastric fundus. The B12-FI complex binds to the ileal cell receptors and is absorbed by endocytosis. Vitamin B12 passes into the bloodstream bound to transcobalamin II, ...
Where does B12 go in the body?
Vitamin B12 passes into the bloodstream bound to transcobalamin II, which transports it to the liver and other areas of the body. It is important to note that, apart from this mechanism, between 1 and 2% of the B12 ingested is absorbed by passive diffusion, regardless of the IF, of the integrity of the distal ileum or of the existence ...
Can B12 be taken orally?
There is abundant accumulated evidence that the replacement of B12 can be carried out effectively orally. Several studies have shown that the small percentage (1-2%) of vitamin that is passively absorbed in the intestine could be sufficient to achieve, with high doses of vitamin B12, adequate concentrations in the body, even in cases of absence of IF by pernicious anemia or gastrectomy, achlorhydria, malabsorption or lack of integrity of the terminal ileum. Thus, if the daily needs of B12 are approximately 2 μg, administering oral supplements at high doses (1-2 mg) once a day can achieve a sufficient amount to ensure the values and filling of the tissue stores through passive intestinal absorption. Adverse effects to overdosage of vitamin B12 have not been reported. The oral treatment avoids the complications inherent to the injection and also relative contraindications, such as anticoagulation. It is only contraindicated in patients with inability to take oral medication or who present vomiting or diarrhea.
What happens if you don't take enough B12?
Over time, B12 deficiency can lead to complications like anemia, nerve damage, and fatigue. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be caused by not getting enough of this vitamin through your diet, problems with absorbing it, or taking a medication that interferes with its absorption ( 4. Trusted Source.
How much vitamin B12 should I take?
For people over 14, the RDI for vitamin B12 is 2.4 m cg ( 1 ).
How much B12 should vegans take?
However, one study suggests that doses up to 6 mcg of vitamin B12 per day may be appropriate for vegans ( 16 ).
How many vegetarians have low B12 levels?
In a review of 40 studies on vitamin B12 in vegetarians, up to 86.5% of vegetarian adults — including older adults — were found to have low levels of vitamin B12 ( 15 ).
What age group is most susceptible to vitamin B12 deficiency?
Adults over age 50. Older people are more susceptible to vitamin B12 deficiency. While relatively few younger adults are deficient in B12, up to 62% of adults over the age of 65 have less than optimal blood levels of this nutrient ( 8. Trusted Source.
How much B12 does the body absorb?
Note that the percent of vitamin B12 your body can absorb from supplements is not very high — it’s estimated that your body only absorbs 10 mcg of a 500-mcg B12 supplement ( 7 ).
What is the recommended daily intake of B12 during pregnancy?
Therefore, the RDI for vitamin B12 during pregnancy is 2.6 mcg. This level can be met through diet alone or with a prenatal vitamin ( 1 ).
How much B12 is recommended daily?
Even though the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for B12 is only 2.4 micrograms (mcg), some supplements provide 10,000 mcg per serving, or 416, 666 percent of the RDA. That amount of B12 daily for a long time can have potentially serious effects. Video of the Day.
What Is B12?
B12 is a critical nutrient in the formation of red blood cells. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen throughout the body. Without enough — or properly formed — red blood cells, the body can't get the oxygen it needs. This results in a condition called anemia, which can cause fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite and depression.
What is the B12 nutrient?
B12 is a critical nutrient in the formation of red blood cells. Image Credit: foxline/RooM/GettyImages. Vitamin B12 supplements are popular among people who want to increase their energy level, endurance and sports performance. Even though the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for B12 is only 2.4 micrograms (mcg), ...
Why is B12 replaced?
It must be replaced through food or supplements each day to keep blood levels at a normal level. Because blood levels can't build up, there's low risk of toxicity. For this reason, the National Academy of Medicine did not establish an upper limit (UL) for B12, noting that no negative effects are associated with excess B12 from both food ...
Does B12 lower homocysteine?
High levels of homocysteine are associated with low B12 and increased risk of heart disease and cognitive decline. However, while a high dose of B12 does reduce homocysteine levels, it hasn't been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack or to improve cognitive function. Advertisement.
Do vegetarians need B12?
Getting Enough B12. B12 is primarily found in animal foods. Because of that, many vegetarians and vegans find it difficult to get enough of the vitamin from their diets, so supplementation may be necessary. The body's ability to absorb B12 also decreases with age, so older adults may need a B12 supplement.
Does B12 cause acne?
Excess B12 may also affect the skin, causing acne and rosacea, according to a 2015 review in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology.
How much B12 is 500 mg?
Unlike some vitamins, vitamin B12 is measured in micrograms, not milligrams. A microgram is a thousandth of a milligram, so 500 mg of vitamin B12 is 500,000 micrograms. The recommended daily intake is between 2 and 2.8 micrograms. However, you can safely go well beyond that number.
What is B12 found in?
Found primarily in animal products such as fish, poultry, eggs, milk and other dairy products, B12 is also used to enrich some grain products. Advertisement. According to the University of Florida, adults who are not pregnant or breastfeeding require 2.4 micrograms of B12 a day, while pregnant women should get 2.6 micrograms ...
What is the cause of anemia?
A deficiency of vitamin B12 can contribute to your developing a type of anemia called megaloblastic or pernicious anemia. Because vitamin B12 is used in the production of red blood cells and the maintenance of the nervous system, a deficiency can cause your body to manufacture inadequate red blood cells.
What is the purpose of B12?
B12 also helps to keep levels of some amino acids stable and to prevent damage to your nerve cells. Found primarily in animal products such as fish, poultry, eggs, milk and other dairy products, B12 is also used to enrich some grain ...
Is too much vitamin bad for you?
Image Credit: bong hyunjung/iStock/GettyImages. Normally you have to worry about getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet to stay healthy. On the other hand, consuming too much of a vitamin can be just as harmful. You're at less risk of consuming too much of water-soluble vitamins like B12 than fat-soluble.
Can you take vitamin B12 if you have Leber's disease?
There are some situations in which you should not take supplements or high doses of vitamin B12. If you have Leber's disease, large doses of vitamin B12 could lead to damage in your optic nerve and even blindness. If you have an allergy to cobalt, you should avoid vitamin B12 supplements until you have discussed it with your physician.
Can you check if you have B12 deficiency?
Advertisement. According to the National Institutes of Health , there are certain populations who should check with their physician to see if they have a vitamin B12 deficiency. Those with megaloblastic anemia, delirium or dementia, celiac, Crohn's disease, or sometimes pregnant women.
