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B-12 500 mcg

Swanson

4.7
(10282 ratings)
Vitamin B12 500 mcg
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Score 85.0

An extremely affordable and popular B12 supplement providing a good dose in Cyanocobalamin form, offering excellent value for general use.

Quantity: 250 Capsule(s)Servings size: 1 Capsule(s) (250 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Energy
Brain Health
Mood Support
Cognitive Support
Metabolism Boost

Score 85.0

An extremely affordable and popular B12 supplement providing a good dose in Cyanocobalamin form, offering excellent value for general use.

Analysis

Swanson's B-12 500 mcg stands out primarily for its outstanding cost-effectiveness. With a price per serving of just 3 cents and 250 servings per bottle, it offers one of the best values in the B12 market. The immense review count of 9110 indicates widespread popularity and consumer satisfaction. It provides 500mcg of B12 in the Cyanocobalamin form. While this is the less preferred form by nutritionists compared to Methylcobalamin for optimal absorption, its extremely low cost makes it a highly attractive option for general B12 supplementation, especially for those without specific absorption issues or budget constraints.

Pros
  • Exceptional price per serving (3 cents), making it one of the most affordable B12 options.
  • Very high review count (9110), indicating strong consumer satisfaction and trust.
  • Provides a substantial number of servings (250), offering long-term supply.
  • From a well-known and trusted budget-friendly brand.
Cons
  • Uses Cyanocobalamin, a synthetic form of B12 that may not be as readily absorbed or utilized by all individuals as Methylcobalamin.
  • May not be suitable for individuals with specific genetic predispositions (e.g., MTHFR mutation) who require the active form of B12.
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$9.99($0.03 per serving)
iHerb
$ 9.99
iHerb
$ 10.11
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Effectiveness for goals

Dosage, timing & forms

Safety & interactions

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin B12
500 mcg
Adults 18–50
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Categories

Within the Vitamin B12 collection, this product is an outstanding value choice. While it uses the Cyanocobalamin form, its extremely low price per serving and high number of reviews make it a very popular and accessible option for broad B12 supplementation.

Goals

As B12 is essential for cellular energy production, this supplement offers a cost-effective way to support energy levels. While Cyanocobalamin requires conversion, its consistent intake can help combat fatigue effectively for many users, as reflected in its high popularity.
B12 plays a critical role in nerve function and myelin synthesis, supporting overall brain health. This product provides an ample dose to contribute to neurological well-being, making it a budget-friendly option for maintaining cognitive health.
The role of B12 in neurotransmitter synthesis supports mood regulation. This supplement offers an accessible means to ensure adequate B12, potentially aiding in mood stabilization, especially for those with deficiencies, given its excellent value.
85 Value

B-12 1000 mcg

Nature's Bounty
4.7
(65813 ratings)
While its price per serving (4) is slightly higher than the original (3), this alternative offers double the B12 potency (1000mcg vs 500mcg) in Cyanocobalamin form, providing a strong value for a higher dose.
75 Value

B12 500 mcg

Sundown
4.7
(775 ratings)
This Sundown alternative offers the same 500mcg Cyanocobalamin dose as Swanson's, at a competitive price per serving (4 vs 3), making it a good value alternative from another reputable brand.
90 Value

Chewable Fully Active B12 Chocolate Mint Flavor 1000 mcg

Doctor's Best
4.8
(1635 ratings)
Despite a higher price per serving (9 vs 3), this alternative delivers 1000mcg of the significantly more bioavailable Methylcobalamin form, offering superior value in terms of biological effectiveness for a moderate increase in cost per serving.
95 Performance

Fully Active B12 1500 mcg

Doctor's Best
4.7
(30986 ratings)
This is a superior alternative as it provides a higher dose of 1500mcg in the highly bioavailable Methylcobalamin form, which is more readily utilized by the body compared to the Cyanocobalamin in the original product.
90 Performance

Methyl B-12 1000 mcg Lemon Flavor

Jarrow Formulas
4.7
(11077 ratings)
This Jarrow Formulas product uses Methylcobalamin and offers a higher 1000mcg dose, making it a generally more effective and preferred option for those seeking optimal B12 supplementation.
90 Performance

Vegan B12

DEVA
4.7
(6800 ratings)
DEVA's Vegan B12 is a better alternative as it delivers 1000mcg of Methylcobalamin, a superior and more active form of B12, ensuring better absorption and utilization, especially for vegans.
80 Budget

B-12 500 mcg

21st Century
4.7
(10877 ratings)
This alternative offers the same 500mcg dose of Cyanocobalamin as the Swanson product but at a lower total price (448 vs 899), providing a significantly more budget-friendly option.
80 Budget

Vitamin B-12 Lozenges 1000 mcg

Swanson Premium Brand
4.7
(817 ratings)
Though a different form (lozenge), this product from the same brand offers double the B12 potency (1000mcg) for a lower total price (530 vs 899), making it a compellingly cheaper option for a higher dose.
90 Budget

B12 500 mcg

Life Extension
4.8
(10083 ratings)
This Life Extension alternative uses the superior Methylcobalamin form at the same 500mcg potency, and is available at a lower total price (675 vs 899), offering better bioavailability for less money.
85 Value

B-12 1000 mcg

Nature's Bounty
4.7
(65813 ratings)
While its price per serving (4) is slightly higher than the original (3), this alternative offers double the B12 potency (1000mcg vs 500mcg) in Cyanocobalamin form, providing a strong value for a higher dose.
75 Value

B12 500 mcg

Sundown
4.7
(775 ratings)
This Sundown alternative offers the same 500mcg Cyanocobalamin dose as Swanson's, at a competitive price per serving (4 vs 3), making it a good value alternative from another reputable brand.
90 Value

Chewable Fully Active B12 Chocolate Mint Flavor 1000 mcg

Doctor's Best
4.8
(1635 ratings)
Despite a higher price per serving (9 vs 3), this alternative delivers 1000mcg of the significantly more bioavailable Methylcobalamin form, offering superior value in terms of biological effectiveness for a moderate increase in cost per serving.
95 Performance

Fully Active B12 1500 mcg

Doctor's Best
4.7
(30986 ratings)
This is a superior alternative as it provides a higher dose of 1500mcg in the highly bioavailable Methylcobalamin form, which is more readily utilized by the body compared to the Cyanocobalamin in the original product.
90 Performance

Methyl B-12 1000 mcg Lemon Flavor

Jarrow Formulas
4.7
(11077 ratings)
This Jarrow Formulas product uses Methylcobalamin and offers a higher 1000mcg dose, making it a generally more effective and preferred option for those seeking optimal B12 supplementation.
90 Performance

Vegan B12

DEVA
4.7
(6800 ratings)
DEVA's Vegan B12 is a better alternative as it delivers 1000mcg of Methylcobalamin, a superior and more active form of B12, ensuring better absorption and utilization, especially for vegans.
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