Deficiency in vitamin B12 (cobalamin) can cause serious health problems. For example, pernicious anemia is an illness with neurological, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal symptoms that’s fatal if B12 levels are not restored sufficiently. 

There are two main causes of low blood B12 levels. The first is insufficient dietary intake. Vegans who don’t supplement B12 are at high risk of deficiency because vitamin B12 is only found in meat, eggs, milk products, and certain types of yeast. 

But even if you’re not following a strict vegan diet, you can still develop a B12 deficiency. That’s because absorption of B12 from foods depends on a substance called intrinsic factor--a protein released from the stomach cells to aid in B12 absorption from the small intestine. For instance, individuals taking proton-pump inhibitors or antacids for GERD are at risk of deficiency because these drugs interfere with the secretion of intrinsic factor. 

People with Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease or any other kind of inflammatory bowel condition are also at higher risk of deficiency because the absorptive surface of their small intestine is compromised, reducing nutrient absorption. Other individuals prone to deficiency include people over age 50 since production of intrinsic factor declines with age. 

For those at high risk of deficiency, supplementation is critical. 

Pure Lab’s BioActive B12 Sublingual is a rapidly absorbed, biologically-active cobalamin. It contains methylcobalamin, the biologically active form of vitamin B12 used by the body. This is more bioavailable than the commonly used cyanocobalamin. Like a fully charged battery, our BioActive B12 is ready to perform metabolic work as soon as it arrives in the blood. 

Taken sublingually (i.e. under the tongue), Pure Lab’s BioActive B12 is delivered directly into the bloodstream, making it a more effective, non-invasive and direct way to replenish vitamin B12 levels. After all, there’s no point to swallowing an oral dose of B12 if your absorption is compromised.