Vitamin B12 is needed to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of your body. If you’re deficient in B12, you may not make enough of these red blood cells, which means your tissues and organs won’t get enough oxygen. This is called vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia, or megaloblastic anaemia. It has been shown that taking vitamin B12 supplements may help overcome this type of anaemia. As vitamin B12 is really only found in foods from animal sources, people on vegan diets benefit from vitamin B12 supplementation.

Vitamin B12 is needed for the production of ATP, an essential molecule required for energy production, the absence of which may lead to tiredness and fatigue. A process called methylation, by which the body stabilises free radicals and removes toxins is important for protecting the brain. By supplementing methylcobalamin, the body is able to produce energy and remove toxins efficiently.

Increased homocysteine levels in the blood are associated with blood vessel damage, which can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. Aside from this too much homocysteine can negatively impact cell health, which is linked to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that vitamin B12 in the form of methylcobalamin is necessary for the conversion of homocysteine to methionine.

Your kidneys are involved in absorbing B12 and other vitamins, which prevents these nutrients from escaping via urination. Diseased and malfunctioning kidneys absorb poorly and contribute to vitamin deficiencies.