Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is essential for a healthy body – it contributes to the normal function of the nervous system, normal red blood cell formation, normal energy-yielding metabolism, and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Because it's found almost entirely in animal products, it's especially important for anyone following a plant-based diet.
Your body can't make or store B12 the way it does some nutrients, so a regular intake matters. Most people who eat meat, fish and dairy get enough, but vegans and vegetarians need to get it from fortified foods or a supplement, and absorption becomes less efficient with age, so older adults can benefit too. B12 comes in many forms – tablets, oral sprays, sachets, chewables and liquids – so there's an option to suit most preferences.
