Cheap vitamin B12 patches are a good idea for vegetarians and others who are concerned with getting enough B12. A vitamin B12 patch is typically applied on the neck or behind the ear, and is about the size of a dime. Most of the time, the recommended dosage is one patch for 24 hours, once a week. However, since there is no limit to how much B12 you can have at one time, more may be used more often, if necessary.
Vitamin B12 is a vitamin that is found in many foods we eat. It is released from food while in your stomach by hydrochloric acid, and then in turn combines with a substance called a glycoprotein called intrinsic factor. This combination allows nutrients and other things our body needs to absorb into the intestines.
Bee Pollen Vitamin
Because vitamin B12 is found mainly in animal foods, vegetarians often suffer from low levels of B12. Foods in which vitamin B12 may be found are mollusks, clams, liver, fortified breakfast cereals, rainbow trout, salmon, and beef. These are all high in B12. Foods which also contain B12 but a much lower amount are yogurt, fried clams, haddock, white tuna, milk, pork, eggs, American cheese, and chicken breast. Since a large amount of these foods are NOT consumed by vegetarians and vegans, it is easy to see how a lack of B12 can be a concern.
Cheap vitamin B12 patches are a good idea for vegetarians who are concerned with getting enough B12. (Even if you aren't a strict vegetarian and only cut out red meat but still eat dairy, fish, and chicken products, you still need to evaluate your need of and the intake you do get of B12.) Vitamin B12 patches deliver the vitamin directly into the bloodstream through the skin, thus allowing for fast absorption. This method bypasses the liver, making more of the vitamin available for use by the body.
A vitamin B12 patch is typically applied on the neck or behind the ear, and is about the size of a dime. Most of the time, the recommended dosage is one patch for 24 hours, once a week. However, since there is no limit to how much B12 you can have at one time, more may be used more often, if necessary.
By using a patch over a pill, it is basically ensured that the body will get much more of the vitamin. Studies have shown that the levels of B12 in a person's blood do not substantially improve when administered in pill form. Wearing a patch is therefore a more effective way to get the necessary vitamin into the bloodstream.
Wearing a B12 patch can help people other than vegetarians. Physical symptoms of low B12 include fatigue, decreased cognition, and lack of energy. People who have any of these symptoms may benefit from a B12 patch, as it will ensure that the proper amount of the vitamin is being absorbed each week.
Studies are also being done to determine the effect of chronically low levels of B12 on dementia. While no firm conclusions have been drawn, researchers are hopeful about making a connection. And, since it's not possible to have too much B12, it can't hurt to apply a patch to help ensure future health.