Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell formation, proper neurological function and making our DNA. We can absorb B12 from foods like meats, poultry, eggs, seafood and dairy products. Unfortunately, mushrooms, algae and fermented foods have yet to show consistent results in providing an absorbable active form of B12. This leaves vegans in a place where supplementation is required.
There are four types of B12 supplementation:
Methylcobalamin – Easiest absorb. Most active in our body. Natural and active form of B12.
Cyanocobalamin – Lab based synthetic. Most affordable form used to fortify foods (cereals, breads, etc).
Hydroxocobalamin – Form of B12 found in most foods. It converts to the easily absorbed methylcobalamin. This version less common and what you would get from a B12 shot.
Adenosylcobalamin – The least stable of the four. This is a natural and active form of B12. This is the second most absorbable form of B12. Vegansafe is a popular product which uses 20% (Adenosylcobalamin) and 80% (Methylcobalamin).
VeganHealth.org – Clear summary of research papers testing for B12 from vegan food stuffs
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.
