vitamin B12
noun
\ -ˈbē-ˈtwelv
\
\
Definition of vitamin B12
1
: a complex cobalt-containing compound C63H88CoN14O14P that occurs especially in liver, is essential to normal blood formation, neural function, and growth, and is used especially in treating pernicious and related anemias and in animal feed as a growth factor
— called also cyanocobalamin
2
: any of several compounds similar to vitamin B12 in action but having different chemistry
Examples of vitamin B12 in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These range from protein to zinc, iron, choline, folate, iodine, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. — Valerie Sweeten, Houston Chronicle, "Healthy meals involve preplanning, interaction," 31 July 2019 Other procedures offered include lip, cheek, nasolabial and under-eye fillers, Botox and Xeomin treatments and vitamin b12 shots, Tannous said. — Emily Sorensen, Pomerado News, "Monique’s Skin Care Center under new ownership," 17 July 2019 It is often fortified with vitamin B12, which is especially important for vegans because this essential nutrient is primarily found in animal products. — Ellie Krieger, Washington Post, "Two formerly fringe ingredients go mainstream: Nutritional yeast and coconut aminos," 16 July 2019 All were fine in terms of vitamin B12; as for taurine, three cats were found deficient. — Marta Zaraska, chicagotribune.com, "Be leery about vegetarian diets for your pets," 10 July 2019 Lab meats can have the beneficial nutrients of meat—iron, vitamin B12, selenium, niacin, and so forth—while also cutting down on the bad stuff, namely the cholesterol and fat content, by integrating only as much as is needed for flavor. — Amanda Little, The New Republic, "The Meat Mogul’s Case For Lab-Grown Beef," 1 July 2019 Pernicious anemia stems from the lack of a specific protein made in the stomach that helps vitamin B12 become absorbed into the bloodstream. — Jon Wertheim And Jacob Feldman, SI.com, "The Incomparable Life and Mysterious Death of Suzanne Lenglen," 27 June 2019 Manufacturers may also add vitamin B12, calcium, and riboflavin to oat milks to provide some nutrients found naturally in cow’s milk. — Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, "Is Oat Milk Healthy? Here's What You Need to Know, According to a Nutritionist," 11 Apr. 2019 Mackerel is also a source of vitamins B12 and D, the latter of which can be hard to find naturally in foods. — Alexandra Sifferlin, Time, "The 7 Best Foods for Fighting Inflammation," 2 Apr. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vitamin B12.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for vitamin B12
vitamin B12
noun
\ -ˈbē-ˈtwelv
\
\
Medical Definition of vitamin B12
1
: a complex cobalt-containing compound C63H88CoN14O14P found in animal products (as meat and eggs) that is essential to normal blood formation, neural function, and growth and is used especially in treating pernicious and related anemias and in animal feed as a growth factor
— called also cyanocobalamin
2
: any of several compounds similar to vitamin B12 in action but having different chemistry