September 23, 2025

Signs You Might Not Be Getting Enough B12, and How to Fix it in One Drink

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Key Takeaways

Vitamin B12 is essential for energy production, red blood cell formation, nervous system health, mood regulation, and cognitive clarity, with deficiency leading to symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and irritability.
Rich sources of B12 include animal products like meat, fish, dairy, and fortified plant-based foods; supplementation is especially important for vegans, vegetarians, older adults, and those with demanding lifestyles.
Hometown Hero's THC-infused drinks offer a convenient way to meet 100% of daily B12 needs along with added benefits like magnesium, electrolytes, and nano THC to support energy, focus, and relaxation throughout the day.

Feeling a little low? You just might need an extra boost of vitamin B12. This essential nutrient plays a key role in energy, focus, and even the creation of DNA, but few of us consider it, let alone prioritize it in our daily diets.

From irritable mood to brain fog, gaps in our daily intake of B12 can take a toll, which is why it's high time to make a change and explore a refreshing new source of B12 supplementation.

Hometown Hero's Drinks make it effortless to meet 100% of your daily needs, while also delivering calming support from other essential nutrients, like magnesium, electrolytes, and, of course, a dash of nano THC.

What Is B12 and What Does It Do?

vitamin b12 formula written out on a chalkboard

Vitamin B12 is a vital nutrient that plays a key role in red blood cell production, energy metabolism, and nervous system health. It's also essential for creating DNA and other genetic material your body needs to function properly.

One of B12's most important jobs is supporting the enzymes involved in DNA synthesis, especially during the production of new red blood cells. Without enough B12, red blood cells can develop abnormally, leading to a condition called megaloblastic anemia. These misshapen cells struggle to carry oxygen efficiently, which can leave you feeling tired, weak, and low on energy.

Speaking of energy, Vitamin B12 helps turn the food you eat into energy that powers all the cells in your body. It supports specific enzymes in their efforts to produce a molecule called adenosine triphosphate, which is the main form of energy your body runs on.

Finally, vitamin B12 protects neurotransmitter production and helps create a protective layer around the nerves that make up the nervous system. Through this protective quality, B12 plays a key role in nerve function, mood regulation, focus, and cognitive clarity.

When you're getting enough B12 in your daily routine, you'll feel the difference. Easy energy, balanced mood, and clear, focused thinking are just a few of the ways this essential vitamin supports both mind and body.

Signs You Might Not Be Getting Enough B12

But consistent energy and clear-minded focus aren't everyone's experience. Do you feel tired all the time, even though you are getting a good night's sleep? Do you find it hard to concentrate, trying to get things done under a shroud of brain fog?

The symptoms of B12 deficiency can take a long time to make themselves known, because our bodies naturally maintain stockpiles of this essential nutrient, typically in the liver. On any given day, your body pulls from this internal B12 warehouse to obtain the nutrients it needs to perform essential work, from blood cell production to nervous system support.

However, when the body’s stores run low because it's not receiving a continued supply of B12 from a healthy diet, it can lead to the telltale signs of B12 deficiency. Symptoms can include:
General sense of fatigue
Feeling of weakness
Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
Confusion and difficulty thinking clearly
Slow recovery from workouts or illness
Irritability
Mood swings

If you're experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it's always a good idea to consult your doctor. B12 deficiency can have real impacts on your long-term health, so getting professional guidance is the safest way to figure out what your body needs.

How to Get B12 From Your Diet: What Foods Contain B12

There is no question that B12 is good for you. Even if you only need a tiny amount each day, it's nevertheless an essential element within a healthy diet.

So, what foods can help your body stockpile B12 for when it needs that next essential building block? Here are a few healthy sources of B12 that you can think about for your next meal:

Food Source	Serving Size	Vitamin B12 (mcg)	% DV (per serving)
Milk	1 cup (240 mL)	~1.2 mcg	~50%
Yogurt	1 cup (245 g)	~1.1 mcg	~46%
Cheddar Cheese	1 oz (28 g)	~0.9 mcg	~38%
Egg Yolk	1 large yolk (17 g)	~0.3 mcg	~13%
Egg, whole	1 large egg (50 g)	~0.6 mcg	~25%
Beef (lean steak, cooked)	3 oz (85 g)	~1.5 mcg	~63%
Beef Liver (cooked)	3 oz (85 g)	~70 mcg	~2,917%
Chicken (roasted)	3 oz (85 g)	~0.3 mcg	~13%
Turkey (roasted)	3 oz (85 g)	~0.7 mcg	~29%
Salmon (cooked, Atlantic)	3 oz (85 g)	~4.8 mcg	~200%
Tuna (light, canned in water)	3 oz (85 g)	~2.5 mcg	~104%
Clams (cooked)	3 oz (85 g)	~84 mcg	~3,500%

For those who follow a plant-based or vegan diet, you'll notice that the richest sources of B12 are primarily animal-based. But with a bit of digging, you can get enough B12 from plant-based sources. Just remember to check the label to compare B12 contents!

Food Source	Serving Size	Vitamin B12 (mcg)	% DV (per serving)
Fermented Soybean Product (e.g., tempeh, miso, natto)	1 cup (150 g)	~0 mcg*	~0%
Fortified Soy Milk	1 cup (240 mL)	~2.5 mcg	~104%
Fortified Almond Milk	1 cup (240 mL)	~2.4 mcg	~100%
Fortified Oat Milk	1 cup (240 mL)	~2.1 mcg	~88%
Fortified Breakfast Cereal	1 serving (~1 cup / 40 g)	1.5–6 mcg (brand-dependent)	~63–250%
Nutritional Yeast (fortified)	1 tablespoon (5 g)	~2.4 mcg	~100%

And let's not forget about supplementation! Because B12 is especially limited in plant-based foods, supplementation, whether with a multivitamin or a B12-boosted drink enhancer, is often a good idea to increase the daily serving of this essential nutrient.

How Much B12 Do You Need?

Now for the big question. How much B12 per day do you need to keep all systems running smoothly? Although needs vary from one body to the next, the daily recommended amount for most adults is just 2.4 micrograms.

If you eat just two eggs a day, that works out to about 50% of the daily recommended amount. A typical 100-gram serving of salmon will tip you well over 100% of the B12 you need. Alternatively, for a plant-based diet, consuming just two tablespoons of nutritional yeast per day (did anyone say cheesy popcorn?) also works out to over 2.4 mcg.

But for all of us who are too busy with daily life to pay close attention to the B12 content of every ingredient, there is an easier way — supplementation!

No careful menu planning or specialty ingredient shopping. With a daily BH12 supplement, the guesswork is removed from the B12 equation. You can rest easy knowing you’re getting precisely what you need to keep your body topped up on its B12.

Who Benefits Most From B12 Support?

While everyone can benefit from a little multivitamin support in their daily life, some people may need it more than others.

Vegans and vegetarians are at higher risk for deficiency since B12 is found primarily in animal-based foods. Without careful planning or supplementation, it can be difficult to meet daily needs through dietary sources alone.

Older adults also face increased risk. Research shows that around 6% of people over 60 are deficient in B12, and up to 20% have marginal levels, meaning they’re sitting on the edge of deficiency and may already be experiencing a few of the common signs.

Finally, if you're someone with a demanding schedule, a physically intense lifestyle, or you're always on the move, B12 can help support steady energy and mental clarity, without relying on more caffeine to get through the day.

Get a Daily B12 Boost From Hometown Hero Drinks

Daily life moves fast, and wellness support shouldn't slow you down. It's part of the reason we formulated all our THC drink mixes to contain more than just a sessionable serving of nano THC.

Inside all of our cannabis-infused beverages, you'll find 100% of your daily recommended amount of B12. Hometown Hero Drinks are a delicious, feel-good way to power your day from sunup to sundown.

In the morning, enjoy a clean, focused start with a DASH of fast-acting 10mg delta-9 THC, plus a serving of magnesium glycinate and B-12 in your morning coffee.

DASH - Unflavored THC Powder

10mg D9/Pc

Sugar Free

Fast-Acting

EXPLORE

In the afternoon, beat the sleepy midday slump with a gentle pick-me-up from a tasty Tropical THC Drink Mix, chock full of electrolytes, B12, and 15mg of fast-acting delta-9 THC.

Tropical THC Drink Mix Trio Pack

15mg D9/Pc

Fast-Acting

EXPLORE

In the evening, unwind with a refreshing Sparkling THC Lemonade, with just the right amount of delta-9 THC (5 mg or 25mg), B12, and magnesium to pave the way for a restful night's sleep.

5mg THC Lemonade Variety Pack

5mg D9/Pc

Fast-Acting

EXPLORE

4 cans of THC lemonades in assorted flavors

25mg THC Lemonade Variety Pack

25mg D9/Pc

Fast-Acting

EXPLORE

Get 100% of your daily value of vitamin B12 from just one serving of our boosted drink mixes without having to think about how many eggs you ate today or meal prepping that next serving of salmon. THC- and B12-boosted drinks are convenient and come packed with feel-good functional ingredients.

Are you ready for your next B12 boost? We're here to help!

FDA Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.

Signs You Might Not Be Getting Enough B12, and How to Fix it in One Drink

Table of Contents

What Is B12 and What Does It Do?

Signs You Might Not Be Getting Enough B12

How to Get B12 From Your Diet: What Foods Contain B12

How Much B12 Do You Need?

Who Benefits Most From B12 Support?

Get a Daily B12 Boost From Hometown Hero Drinks