Vitamin B₁₂: An essential micronutrient for healthy nervous system function

Vitamin B₁₂ ­(cobalamin) is an essential micronutrient, which is naturally found in foods of animal origin such as meat, fish,­dairy products and eggs. Plant-based diets are usually low in vitamin B₁₂­ content unless they are fortified. In the human body, vitamin B₁₂ is a cofactor for enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of cells.

In this way, vitamin B₁₂ is required for a healthy central nervous system function and red blood cell formation as well as synthesis of DNA. Population groups at risk of inadequate vitamin B₁₂ intake are, for example, elderly people, vegetarians, vegans as well as infants of vegan women who are exclusively breastfed.

BASF provides high-quality, fermentation-based vitamin B₁₂ for supplements and fortified foods. Our vitamin B₁₂ enables production and technical excellence thereby delivering consistent quality for the product to be applied in manifold applications.

Sources: NIH Fact Sheets for Health Professionals and Consumers, Vitamin B12 (September 2023).