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Is Too Much B12 Harmful?

Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin. B12 plays an essential part in the metabolism of every cell of the human body, red blood cell formation, neurological function, fatty acid synthesis and energy production.

  1. Recommended Intake

    • Vitamin B12 is found in animal-based foods, such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy foods. A regular diet including these foods will provide the recommended dietary allowance for B12, which is 2.4 mcg for adults.

    Not Enough

    • B12 deficiency can occur in people on vegetarian diets, the elderly, and people who have lost the intrinsic factor in their stomachs, which they need to absorb B12, and have developed pernicious anemia. The deficiency must be treated by change of diet, vitamin supplements containing B12 or, in the case of anemia, cyanocobalamin injections.

    Too Much

    • The Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences has not established a Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for vitamin B12 because of its low potential for toxicity. The IOM has reported that "no adverse effects have been associated with excess vitamin B12 intake from food and supplements in healthy individuals."

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