Vitamin B12 is a naturally occurring, water-soluble vitamin, also known as cobalamin. Chemically, vitamin B12 can exist in a number of different forms, but all of them contain the mineral cobalt. B12 helps keep your body's blood and nerve cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells. Vitamin B12 also helps prevent megaloblastic anemia, a blood condition that makes people tired and weak.

There have also been links proven between Vitamin B12 deficiency and dementia, depression, osteoporosis, macular degeneration, weight, mood and energy levels/fatigue.

Many people are Vitamin B12 deficient, and in fact may be unaware of this as the vitamin can be stored in the liver for a long time, so it may take a few years for a deficiency to develop. Vegetarians and vegans are particularly at risk - in fact, it’s thought that up to 90% of people following these diets have a deficiency, as B12 can only be obtained naturally in animal foods. However, your body’s ability to absorb B12 is also determined by the levels of a protein produced in the stomach called intrinsic factor - so those who do not produce enough intrinsic factor, even meat-eaters, may also develop B12 deficiency.

Other people at risk  include those who have had intestinal surgery, including weight loss surgery, and those with diseases that affect the gut, such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease.

How does it work?

Liquid B12 or cobalamin is injected intramuscularly, usually into the deltoid, and this can be administered in courses of once a week for 6 weeks in the case of a severe deficiency, or as a single treatment less frequently to prevent a deficiency (or as a supplement to diets lacking in B12, such as vegetarian or vegan). The whole procedure is very quick and painless with no downtime or common side effects and is extremely effective at raising the B12 blood levels within a short space of time, usually 48-72 hours.