NOW Foods B-12 5000mcg Plus Folic Acid (60 Lozenges): High-Potency Cellular Energy & Nerve Support
If you are experiencing persistent sluggishness, brain fog, or need targeted neurological support, your body may be struggling to absorb sufficient Vitamin B-12 from diet alone. NOW Foods B-12 5000mcg Plus Folic Acid (Item # N0462, UPC: 733739004628) delivers a clinical-strength 5,000 mcg dose of Vitamin B-12 (as cyanocobalamin) paired synergistically with 400 mcg of Folic Acid (667 mcg DFE) in a fast-dissolving, great-tasting sublingual lozenge.
Quick Product Highlights:
✔Direct Mucosal Absorption: Sublingual lozenge dissolves in the mouth to bypass common stomach acid and intrinsic factor absorption roadblocks.
✔Dual-Action Homocysteine Defense: Synergistic B-12 and Folate support healthy blood vessels and cardiovascular well-being.
✔Vitality & Nervous System Care: Helps your body convert food into cellular fuel (ATP) while nourishing myelin nerve sheaths.
✔Clean & 100% Vegan: Formulated without gluten, dairy, egg, or animal derivatives in an NPA A-rated GMP-certified facility.
Supplied fresh directly by VitaNet®, LLC — an independent, family-owned health retailer serving wellness seekers online since 1995 from Hartville, Ohio[cite: 1]. Backed by an A+ BBB rating and our unconditional 100% money-back guarantee[cite: 1].
Why Combine 5,000 mcg B-12 with Folic Acid? The Science in Plain English
Think of Vitamin B-12 and Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9) as two gears in the same biological engine. Neither can run at full power without the other. In your body, they collaborate within a vital biochemical cycle known as one-carbon metabolism and homocysteine remethylation:
1. Keeping Homocysteine in Balance for Heart & Brain Health
Homocysteine is a natural amino acid byproduct created when your body processes protein. If homocysteine builds up to high levels, it can irritate delicate blood vessel walls and strain cardiovascular and brain health. Vitamin B-12 acts as an essential coenzyme, working alongside folic acid to convert homocysteine back into harmless methionine and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a key compound for healthy mood and neurotransmitter balance (Selhub, 2008).
2. Preventing the “Folate Trap” & Fueling Red Blood Cells
Taking large doses of folic acid alone can mask an underlying Vitamin B-12 deficiency while neurological damage quietly progresses — a medical phenomenon known as the “folate trap” (Stabler, 2013). By formulating 5,000 mcg of B-12 with 400 mcg of Folic Acid, NOW Foods ensures your body has both nutrients simultaneously. This harmony supports rapid red blood cell production, cellular oxygen delivery, and healthy DNA synthesis without the risk of nutrient imbalance.
How Sublingual Lozenges Bypass Common Gut Absorption Obstacles
Why take 5,000 mcg when the daily recommended intake is only 2.4 mcg? The answer lies in how human digestion handles Vitamin B-12.
In ordinary digestion, B-12 from food requires strong stomach acid to separate it from proteins, followed by binding with a specialized transport protein produced in your stomach called Intrinsic Factor (IF). However, your body's intrinsic factor receptors saturate after absorbing only about 1.5 to 2.0 mcg per meal (Institute of Medicine, 1998). Furthermore, several common situations drastically impair this digestive pathway:
Natural Aging: Adults over 50 frequently produce less stomach acid (atrophic gastritis), reducing B-12 extraction from foods.
Everyday Medications: Frequent use of acid reducers (PPIs, H2 blockers) or blood sugar support medications like metformin can decrease B-12 absorption over time.
Digestive Sensitivities: Gut inflammation, celiac issues, or past gastrointestinal surgeries limit nutrient uptake in the small intestine.
The Passive Diffusion Advantage:
Clinical research demonstrates that when you take high doses of Vitamin B-12 (such as 1,000 to 5,000 mcg), approximately 1% to 2% is absorbed directly through the mucosal lining of the mouth and gut wall via passive diffusion, completely independent of intrinsic factor (Berlin et al., 1968; Vidal-Alaball et al., 2005). That means a single 5,000 mcg lozenge reliably delivers approximately 50 to 100 mcg of bioavailable B-12 straight into circulation — easily replenishing cellular reserves even in individuals with low digestive efficiency.
NOW Foods Lab Testing: Industry-Leading Purity & Contaminant Constraints
In an unregulated supplement market where low-cost internet brands frequently fail potency tests or carry hidden heavy metals, NOW Foods sets the gold standard for consumer safety. Operating one of the most advanced analytical testing facilities in North America, NOW performs over 16,000 to 19,000 comprehensive lab tests every single month on raw materials and finished lots.
✔ ICP-MS Heavy Metal Screening (Parts-Per-Billion Precision)
Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), NOW tests every raw ingredient for dangerous heavy metals — including lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. NOW adheres to contaminant limits that not only fulfill USP pharmacopeial standards but meet the strict thresholds of California Proposition 65.
✔ HPLC & UPLC Potency Verification
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) verifies that the 5,000 mcg cyanocobalamin and 400 mcg folic acid stated on the front of the bottle are genuinely in the tablet, ensuring full potency through the printed expiration date.
✔ FTIR Molecular Fingerprinting
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) creates a unique spectral “fingerprint” for each ingredient batch, ensuring raw supplies are authentic and 100% free of counterfeit or diluted materials.
✔ Rigorous Pathogen & Allergen Screening
Advanced microbiological testing verifies zero presence of Salmonella, E. coli, yeast, or molds. Facilities hold an “A” rating from the Natural Products Association (NPA) and are UL Dietary Supplement Certified.
Who Benefits Most from B-12 5000mcg Plus Folic Acid?
Because Vitamin B-12 is water-soluble and virtually absent from plant foods, high-potency supplementation offers targeted support for several specific groups:
Strict Vegetarians & Vegans: Plants do not manufacture Vitamin B-12. Without fortified foods or daily supplementation, vegetarians and vegans are at substantial risk of chronic B-12 depletion over time.
Adults Aged 50 and Older: The Institute of Medicine specifically advises that adults over 50 consume B-12 from supplements or fortified foods because crystalline B-12 is far easier to absorb than food-bound B-12 when stomach acid levels decline.
Individuals Seeking Healthy Energy Metabolism: Vitamin B-12 is essential for fatty acid metabolism and cellular energy production. Replenishing deficient stores helps counter persistent physical and mental fatigue.
Those Managing Healthy Homocysteine Levels: Anyone working alongside their physician to maintain cardiovascular and blood vessel health can benefit from the dual remethylation action of B-12 and Folate.
Important Safety & Usage Considerations:
For adults only. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking prescription medications (especially methotrexate, proton pump inhibitors, or metformin), or have a pre-existing medical condition (such as Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy or impaired kidney function), consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use.
Complete Supplement Facts & Ingredient Listing
Verified against the official manufacturer label for NOW Foods Item # 0462:
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Lozenge | Servings Per Container: 60
Amount Per Serving
% Daily Value
Folate (400 mcg folic acid)
667 mcg DFE (167%)
Vitamin B-12 (as Cyanocobalamin)
5 mg (5,000 mcg) (208,333%)
Other Ingredients: Fructose, Sorbitol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid (vegetable source), Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Silicon Dioxide, and Soy Lecithin.
Allergen Information: Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, or tree nut ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Product Specifications:
Suggested Use: Take 1 lozenge daily with a meal. Chew lozenge or hold in mouth until completely dissolved and swallow.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place after opening. Natural color variation may occur.
Authoritative Scientific References
Our commitment to rigorous, high-standard health education is rooted in peer-reviewed clinical research:
Stabler, S. P. (2013). Vitamin B12 Deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine, 368(2), 149-160. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMcp1113996.
Vidal-Alaball, J., Butler, C. C., Cannings-John, R., et al. (2005). Oral vitamin B12 versus intramuscular vitamin B12 for vitamin B12 deficiency. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3), CD004655. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004655.pub2.
Berlin, H., Berlin, R., & Brante, G. (1968). Oral treatment of pernicious anemia with high doses of vitamin B12 without intrinsic factor. Acta Medica Scandinavica, 184(4), 247-258.
Carmel, R. (2008). How I treat cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency. Blood, 112(6), 2214-2221. DOI: 10.1182/blood-2008-03-040253.
Selhub, J. (2008). Public health significance of elevated homocysteine. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 29(2 Suppl), S116-S125.
Institute of Medicine (US) Standing Committee on Dietary Reference Intakes. (1998). Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. National Academies Press (US). PMID: 23198322.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How should I take NOW Foods B-12 5000 mcg Lozenges for maximum absorption?
Place one lozenge in your mouth and allow it to slowly dissolve under your tongue or against your cheek before swallowing, preferably with a meal. Dissolving the lozenge allows oral mucosal tissues to absorb B-12 directly into the bloodstream, bypassing stomach acid hurdles. You may also chew the lozenge if preferred.
Why is the B-12 dose 5,000 mcg (208,333% Daily Value)? Is taking this much safe?
Vitamin B-12 has an exceptional safety profile. Because it is water-soluble, your body uses what it needs and excretes any excess through urine. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) evaluated Vitamin B-12 extensively and found no evidence of toxicity, establishing no Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL). The high dose is intentional: it ensures that the 1% to 2% absorbed via passive diffusion is more than enough to replenish depleted cellular levels.
Why does this formula use Cyanocobalamin instead of Methylcobalamin?
Cyanocobalamin is the most extensively clinically researched and chemically stable form of Vitamin B-12. Once absorbed, your body converts it into both required active coenzyme forms: methylcobalamin (used in the nervous system and homocysteine balance) and adenosylcobalamin (used inside cellular mitochondria for ATP energy production). Cyanocobalamin also resists degradation from light and temperature better than unstable pre-methylated forms.
Is this product suitable for vegans and vegetarians?
Yes. This formula contains zero animal byproducts, gelatins, or animal stearates. The stearic acid is 100% vegetable-sourced, and the product is certified vegan, vegetarian, and kosher.
How does NOW Foods ensure this product is free from heavy metals?
NOW Foods tests every lot of raw material using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), an analytical instrument that detects microscopic heavy metal contaminants (such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic) down to parts-per-billion levels. NOW also complies with strict California Proposition 65 safety parameters.
What is VitaNet®’s guarantee on this product?
VitaNet®, LLC backs every order with an unconditional 100% money-back guarantee, even covering return shipping on opened bottles[cite: 1]. As an independent family-owned Ohio retailer since 1995, our priority is your complete health satisfaction[cite: 1].
