Vitamin b12 is an essential element needed for the proper function of our bodily systems. Without it, the body can easily acquire mental disorders like dementia and can be at risk for heart disease. Although available in its oral form, sublingual b12 is mostly suggested by doctors today. Let us find out why.

The Tablet

The tablet form of the vitamin is said to be a lot less inefficient than its sublingual b12 counterpart. There are actually various reasons involved.

• The tablet form is taken orally and would undergo a normal process of digestion. Inside the digestive tract, certain enzymes can lessen the effect or absorption of the supplement in the body. Therefore, the results can be non-therapeutic to some.

• Tablets often take time to consume than the sublingual type. You have to drink a glass of water to push the medication to the stomach. For some individuals, this can be quite inconvenient.

• Oral supplements can interact with some drugs during the digestive process. You may have to schedule your intake of vitamins if you’re drinking it together with other drugs.

• Some individuals cannot tolerate the oral form of the supplement. They need to drink copious amounts of water to finally deliver the pill to the stomach.

• Oral b12 can take time to be absorbed by the body. One couldn’t expect the therapeutic effects right away because the tablet has to go through the proper digestive process.

Sublingual B12

There are several reasons why doctors opt for the sublingual type of vitamin b12.

• When placed under the tongue or between the cheek and the gums, the medication is directly absorbed by the blood stream. It is then easily absorbed by the body for immediate use.

• The nutrients found in the supplement are not destroyed by the strong acids found inside the digestive tract. Since it is given sublingually, the medication does not have to enter the stomach for absorption.

• One can experience the benefits right after taking sublingual b12. There is a faster rate of absorption for such method of administration.

• Most people find the sublingual type more convenient. They simply place the pill under their tongue and they enjoy a sufficient amount of b12 supplementation in the body.

The Risks

Both the oral and sublingual b12 pose different risks to the individual using it. Although such conditions are rare, there may be chances that person can develop certain reactions to the two routes of administration.

• When Taken Orally

-      If the supplement is taken by mouth, the acid normally found inside the stomach may cause the medication to be less potent.

-      If combined with other treatments, the vitamin can either enhance or lessen the therapeutic effect of that drug.

• When Taken Sublingually

-      Incidents of allergic reactions have been noted on some patients. Although no severe cases were recorded, there may be a chance for the person to develop allergy to the sublingual form of this supplement.

-      Some dietary ingredients may also react with the sublingual b12. It is best, therefore, to inform the physician of your allergies before starting the supplementation.

If you want to take in vitamin B12, there are several recommended ways to do it:

If you want to take in vitamin B12, there are several recommended ways to do it:

• You can try and get it through diet – an uphill task because it is extremely rare in natural foods. Non-vegans can get it from meat and eggs, but even then, to get it in the right amounts is not easy bearing in mind that you can only consume so much of these in a healthy diet.
• You can get a B12 shot. This would likely be recommended by your doctor and in most cases to someone with severe lack of vitamin B12 that is affecting their health significantly.
• You can get it in tablet form as a supplement. This can come as a tablet with multiple vitamins in it, or just as a B12 tablet by itself. It has to go through your digestive system and do its best to get absorbed before it leaves your body.
• In sublingual form – the easiest and fastest and most effective way to take vitamin B12. Sublingual simply means you put in under your tongue. The membranes that are underneath your tongue are stimulated by the tablet to produce saliva, which dissolves the tablet and it’s absorbed directly into your bloodstream. All of it is utilized. This method has advantages over all the others:

1. Faster Absorption

It’s placed under the tongue as a tablet or in the form of drops. Beneath the tongue, there are numerous blood vessels. Just placing it underneath your tongue stimulates production of saliva which very quickly dissolves the tablet or drops. On absorption, it goes straight into the bloodstream. Studies have shown that this method provides 100% absorption as compared to a tablet where you get 1.2% absorption.

2. Higher Retention

Taken in ordinary tablet form, a B12 pill goes through your digestive system and through the entire digestive process.  On the way, it loses its strength because of alteration to its original form by various digestive acids. Sublingual b12, because it will not come into contact with any acids whatsoever, will get absorbed into the body in its original form and give the highest nutritional value.

3. Instant Effect

Because of faster absorption and better optimization, the effects are instant. If you were taking it for energy, for instance, you will feel energized much faster than if you took it through a tablet. It is definitely recommended when lack of B12 has led to a condition or disease because the healing will be faster.

4. Works Great for Appetite and Sleep Control

Lack of B12 can lead to loss of appetite and poor sleeping patterns. When trying to deal with these, you want a solution that will work as fast as possible. If its determined that B12 deficiency is the one causing you to lack appetite and sleep, the best way to get over this quickly is to have a sublingual B12.

5. Its Inexpensive

Compared to a B12 tablet which may come at the same price, you get more value with sublingual B12. You will need to take much less of it and for shorter periods for your body to have enough. Shots are expensive too, especially if you think of doctors fees and if you need a series of them.

Remember that B12 is essential for good health. Your body needs it for energy, sleep, appetite and even a healthy central nervous system. If you’re not already including it as a part of your diet, you should consider it. If you are and haven’t yet tried sublingual B12, you should – it’s the fastest and most effective.

Sources:

1.    The Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom

Parkdale, Dunham Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, England WA14 4QG

2.    www.vitab12.com

3.    An Essential Part of a Healthy Plant Based Diet : http://www.ivu.org/congress/2002/texts/b12pres.html – B12:

4.    Dietary Fact Sheet: Vitamin B12:http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitaminB12.asp -

5 Benefits of Vitamin B12 Shots

Vitamin b12, also known as cyanocobalamin, is an extremely essential nutrient required for homeostasis. Typically, this can be derived from several dietary sources such as eggs, milk, and meat. If the body cannot absorb sufficient amount of this supplement, the individual has to resort to oral treatment or preferably, a regular b12 shot.

Quick Look at the Advantages

A b12 shot provides immediate effects to the body. Here is what it can do:

-      reduces stress

-      results to a healthier skin

-      boosts energy levels

-      helps lose weight

-      improves and enhances memory

A person receiving vitamin b12 supplementation can enjoy a lifetime worth of benefits. Even if one feels fit and full of energy, taking this supplement can definitely add more to the health of an individual.

Medical Benefits

Vitamin b12 may be consumed regularly as a bodily supplement. It is also given to people who are deficient of the nutrient. Here are 5 medical benefits derived from this supplement.

• Treatment of Certain Conditions

A b12 shot is necessary if the body does not produce a sufficient amount of nutrient needed by our systems. A lifelong condition known as Pernicious Anemia does not have the required “Intrinsic Factor” that helps the body absorb the vitamin. Thus, an injection is needed to push the supplement directly to the blood stream.

Injections are also recommended for pharmacological treatment of fatigue, asthma, Bell’s palsy and diabetic neuropathy. The oral or sublingual form of the supplement cannot sustain the b12 needs of the patient. Therefore, injections are given for faster delivery of the vitamins to the body.

• Adequate Dosage

In some cases, the oral form of the vitamin cannot suffice the dose needed by the body. Since the process of digestion involves complex steps, there can be many hindrances to total absorption of the supplement. For example, a drug given can interact chemically with the oral form of vitamin. Thus, the body’s capacity to absorb is diminished by that specific drug.

• Faster Route

Injections provide direct routes to the blood stream. This means that the injectable form of supplement instantly provides vitamin b12 to the systems needing it. If an individual needs faster relief from the problem, he is advised to take the injectable form of medication instead.

• Convenient Schedule

To some, b12 shot is more convenient because they do not need to take it on a daily basis. The doctor often gives the medication on a weekly basis since a “bolus” dose of drug is given to the patient.

• Reliable

Injections are a more reliable way to take medications and supplements. One can be ensured of the right drug dosage through this method of administration. It is often seen as a more reliable way to treat the symptoms of vitamin b12 deficiency. Doctors usually recommend a b12 shot if the patient badly needs supplementation of the vitamin.

B12 shot is popular in many ways. However, it is best to consult your doctors before considering such form of medication.