bought multivitamin, not enough B12?

[BackwoodsJim]

Hey folks!

I bought a multivitamin from Target (Origin Men's Mega Multivitamin)that looked to closely match the list in DANDR except that it only has 50mcg of B12. The stand alone B12 vitamins I see are anywhere from 200mcg to 1000 mcg. I want to get as much B12 as is needed, but not enough to hurt me, any suggestions?

thanks!

Jim

[biogeek]

Re: bought multivitamin, not enough B12?

Jim,

I would look for a Vitamin B complex that contains as many of the major (and minor) Bs as possible. You don't want to B12 alone because it needs to be in balance with the other B vitamins. If you do decide to purchase the stand alone B12 supplement, then also purchase folic acid to take with B12. You'll be taking more folic acid (at least 1 mg) than B12 regardless of how much B12 you take.
As far as how much B12 to take depends on what you're looking for. If it's for good health, you start off with 100 mcg a day and goes up as you age (200 mcg for 40 year olds, 400 for 60+. According to Atkins, if you have some sort of deficiency-related condition, you need at least 1 mg (1000 mcg) per day.

There are three threads in this forum regarding vitamin B. It may be a good read for you.

[BackwoodsJim]

Re: bought multivitamin, not enough B12?

Thanks! Actually the multivitamin I'm taking has all the B vitamins, I made sure of that, it just doesn't have the amount of B12 specified in DANDR (also doesn't have as much folic acid, 400mcg vs. 600mcg) so Thats why I just need a B12 vitamin to supplement the multi I'm taking. I reckon I'm just wantin' to supplement my supplement! Heh heh!

thanks again

Jim

[Seamonkey]

Re: bought multivitamin, not enough B12?

B12 is provided by meat and animal products so it seems like it should be ok even if you dont take a B12 supplement. In fact, all B vitamins are found in meat, poultry, fish or eggs so it should be ok.

[biogeek]

Re: bought multivitamin, not enough B12?

Thanks! Actually the multivitamin I'm taking has all the B vitamins, I made sure of that, it just doesn't have the amount of B12 specified in DANDR (also doesn't have as much folic acid, 400mcg vs. 600mcg) so Thats why I just need a B12 vitamin to supplement the multi I'm taking. I reckon I'm just wantin' to supplement my supplement! Heh heh!

thanks again

Jim

It's fine to supplement your supplement. Just look for a good B-complex & you'll be just fine.