Glute Free Non-GMO LE Certified Bioactive Form of B12 Dietary Supplement Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin. It helps with nerve and blood cell health while also playing a role in DNA synthesis. While we usually get it through animal-based or fortified foods, digestive challenges that come with aging can affect absorption. Maintain healthy levels with B12 supplementation. Vegetarians and the elderly tend to be the ones most challenged with maintaining healthy levels of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 Benefits Helps maintain healthy homocysteine levels (a marker of cardiovascular, neurological & general health) Supports brain health & cognition Important for red blood cell production Vitamin B12 is present in foods of animal origin, including dairy products and eggs. Vegetarians and the elderly are especially susceptible to deficiency of this important nutrient, which may be caused by low dietary intake, inadequate bioavailability or poor absorption of B12. The age-related decrease in hydrochloric acid production can also affect B12 bioavailability. B12 Supplementation To overcome obstacles to vitamin B12 absorption, the Institute of Medicine recommended in 1998 that vitamin B12-fortified foods (such as fortified ready-to-eat breakfast cereals) and supplements containing vitamin B12 be used by older adults to help meet their B12 requirement. More recent research shows that supplementing with B12, even at moderate doses, can improve both B12 and folate status in older individuals. Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, works synergistically with vitamin B6 and folate to convert homocysteine into the amino acid methionine. This helps to maintain healthy levels of homocysteine, an emerging marker of cardiovascular, neurological and general health.