Vitamin B FAQs

Is it normal for B vitamins to have an unpleasant odor?

B vitamins by nature have an unpleasant aroma. This is normal and does not indicate the product is expired or otherwise compromised. If in doubt, check the expiration date, which is printed on the bottom of all NOW supplement bottles.

Sometimes there’s a yellow powder coating the capsules in my B vitamin supplement. Is this normal?

Sometimes you may get B vitamin powder residue on the capsules, usually yellow in color. Again, this is a normal occurrence. There is often a small amount of powder that escapes during the encapsulation process, and it sometimes coats the outside of the capsules.

Why is the methylcobalamin form of vitamin B-12 a better form overall than regular B-12?

Most B vitamins function in the body only in their coenzyme (or active) forms, and the regular form as found in B-12 or certain B-complex products has to be converted into the coenzyme form by your body before it can do its job. These coenzyme forms are usually much more expensive and are considered more potent than standard vitamin forms, so we have both forms to offer consumers a variety of options. Methylcobalamin is one of these coenzyme forms. Since it’s already in its coenzyme form and doesn’t require conversion, your body can use it right away as opposed to having to follow the typical metabolic pathway for conversion.

Is methylcobalamin safe and where does it come from?

Methylcobalamin is derived via microbial fermentation. Numerous studies have been conducted on methylcobalamin, with no evidence of any toxicity. In addition, no upper limit has been established by the Institute of Medicine (IOM).