Vitamin B-12 is an essential nutrient that’s involved with a lot of important processes in the human body. [1] Food is the primary source for this nutrient, with supplements being the secondary source for some people. Vitamin B-12 is structurally the largest and most complex of all the vitamins known to man. Interestingly enough, vitamin B-12 is integral to normal energy metabolism in all cells of the body as well as amino acid and fatty acid metabolism. Additionally, B-12 is extremely important in a myriad of other vital physiological processes such as brain function and nervous system health, myelin sheath health, blood formation, bone marrow health, and DNA synthesis/regulation.
A unique essential nutrient, vitamin B-12 isn’t produced by plants, animals, or even fungi, instead being produced only by certain bacteria. Human requirements for vitamin B-12 as set by the Daily Recommended Intake (DRI) are 2-3 micrograms/mcg per day to upwards of 4-7 micrograms/mcg per day. [2] Naturally-occurring sources of Vitamin B-12 are found primarily in foods of animal origin and among fortified foods of vegetarian/vegan origin. If you are a practicing vegan, supplementation may be the best option for you to ensure you receive adequate to optimal daily intake.
Top 10 Food Sources of Vitamin B-12
Those of you who eat meat, eggs, and dairy will likely have an easier time getting B-12, but please remember, consuming animal products carries other health concerns. This is particularly true if the animal is raised in a conventional feedlot environment. While we at Global Healing Center always advocate a raw vegan diet, we understand that not everyone will adopt this lifestyle. For you, here are the highest non-vegan sources (and some plant sources) of vitamin B-12:
1. Liver (Beef)
71 mcg per 3-ounce serving
Provides 2951% of DRI
114 calories
2. Mackerel
16 mcg per 3-ounce serving
Provides 667% of DRI
174 calories
3. Sardines
8 mcg per 3-ounce serving (most cans are 3-4 ounces ea.)
Provides 333% of DRI
189 calories
4. Fortified Cereals
5 mcg per cup
Provides 208% of DRI
160 calories
5. Red Meat
5 mcg per 3-ounce serving
Provides 208% of DRI
213 calories
6. Salmon
4 mcg per 3-ounce serving
Provides 167% of DRI
119 calories
7. Fortified Soy
2 mcg per 3-ounces serving
Provides 83% of DRI
45 calories
8. Milk
1.2 mcg per cup (8 fluid ounces)
Provides 50% of DRI
83 calories
9. Swiss Cheese
1 mcg per ounce
Provides 42% of DRI
108 calories
10. Yogurt
1 mcg per cup
Provides 42% of DRI
149 calories
The Take Home
The highest levels of B-12 from vegan sources are often in the form of fortified grains, like breakfast cereals. While this can be a great way to receive the vitamin if you are a practicing vegan or vegetarian, most fortified grains are typically refined and sometimes filled with sugar. It is best for vegans and meat eaters alike to supplement with vitamin B-12, as eating meat is not always a guarantee for healthy vitamin B-12 status. A vegan supplement, vitamin B-12 Tri-Blend, could be helpful for maintaining appropriate levels of the nutrient.
Watch an In-Depth Video on
Everything You Need to Know About Vitamin B-12
Video Length: 60 minutes
References (3)
- National Institutes of Health. Vitamin B12. NIH Fact Sheet.
- Institute of Medicine Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes and its Panel on Folate, Other B Vitamins, and Choline. Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. The National Academies.
- Victor Herbert, MD, JD. Vitamin B-12: plant sources, requirements, and assay. Am J Clin Nutr. September 1988 vol. 48 no. 3, 852-858.
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 
The human liver stores your vitamin B-12 that is derived from bacteria in organically amended soil only . Animals that eat this soil while feeding on the grasses will have this vitamin stored in there livers and animals not organically grass fed but GMO grain fed will not have the vitamin B-12 stored in their livers. You cannot get B-12 from muscle meats like you can from organically raised meats that also contain the heart protector Co-enzyme Q-10 as well.
In Europe the people love eating animal liver and Americans love eating animal muscle meats instead.We have a very serious vitamin B-12 deficiency that is misdiagnosed way too often by Doctors looking in the wrong place today .
This is the following list of B-12 sources of the good earth chef Barry as condiments only to his organic whole food plant based diet plan as follows .
Animal on occasion as a small condiment as follows .
1-Liver of goose . Reason being Chef Barry has raised geese and all they eat is herbs leafy greens and his compost as well. All free range and never caged.
2-Liver of duck first choice and not chicken . Reason being ducks are not caged like chickens to be force fed GMO grains and corn with beaks clipped and shot gunned with anti-biotics and growth hormones to fatten the birds quickly for market .
Ducks are a smaller cottage industry at higher prices and are normally free range and aquatic in nature so their diet is much more natural and diversified and this is why their yolks look and taste better as well.
3- Egg of duck only .
4- Sardines and mackerels straight from the sea and never out of a can .
5-Fresh home made raw kefir of organic milk of goat made in the comfort of Chef Barry’s Phuket Thai earth kitchen .
6- Vegan sources of B-12 are Seaweeds , Aloe Vera , Nutritional Yeast , and all fermented cultured vegetables organic only .
Thank You
Holistic Chef Barry Anderson with Thai Chef Am Gourmet & Raw “Your Good Earth Chef & Friend 4 LIFE 2 Chefs that Care “
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