The top ten foods containing B-12

1: Clams, Oysters, and Mussels

Shellfish are a great source of vitamin B12 and can be eaten raw, baked, steamed, fried, or made into chowder. In addition to vitamin B12 shellfish are a good source of zinc, copper, and iron. Clams provide the most vitamin B-12 with 98.9μg per 100g serving, accounting for 1648% of the RDA. That is 84μg (1401% RDA) per 3 ounce serving, and 187.9μg (3132% RDA) in 20 small clams, or 9.4μg (156.6 %RDA) in one small clam. Mussels and oysters are also good sources of B12 providing 600% RDA and 400% RDA per 100 gram serving. Click to see complete nutrition facts.

2: Liver

Often appearing on the culinary scene as pâté, liver can also be prepared steamed or fried with onions and herbs. The liver of most any animal is packed with vitamin B-12, the highest on the list are: Lamb, beef, veal, moose, turkey, duck, and goose respectively. Lamb liver provides 85.7μg (1428% RDA) of vitamin B12 per 100g serving, or 72.85μg (230% RDA) in a 3 ounce serving. Click to see complete nutrition facts.

3: Caviar (Fish Eggs)

Caviar and fish eggs are most often eaten as a garnish or spread. The eggs of whitefish contain the most vitamin B-12 with 56.4μg (940% RDA) per 100g serving. Caviar contains a third of that with 20μg (333% RDA) of vitamin B12 per 100g serving, 5.6μg (93% RDA) per ounce, and 3.2μg (53% RDA) per tablespoon. Chicken eggs, by comparison, only offer 1.29μg (22% RDA) of vitamin B-12 per 100g serving, or 0.65μg (11% RDA) per egg. Click to see complete nutrition facts. Buy Caviar from Amazon.com

4: Octopus

Popular in Mediterranean, Japanese, and Hawaiian cuisine, octopus is a vitamin b12 rich food. Cooked octopus provides 36μg of vitamin B-12 per 100 gram serving accounting for 600% of the RDA. That is 30.6μg (510% RDA) per 3 ounce serving, or 10.2μg (170% RDA) per ounce. Raw octopus provides about half as much vitamin b12 with 20μg (333% RDA) per 100 gram serving, 17μg (283% RDA) in a 3 ounce serving, and 5.67μg (94.33% RDA) per ounce. Click to see complete nutrition facts.

5: Fish

Known for their omega 3 fats and for being a high protein food, fish are also a good source of vitamin B12. Mackerel provides the most vitamin B-12 with 19μg per 100g serving (317% RDA), followed by Herring (312% RDA), Salmon (302%), Tuna (181%), Cod (167%), Sardines (149%), Trout (130%), and Bluefish (104%). Click to see complete nutrition facts. Canned Fish Highest in Vitamin B12.

6: Crab and Lobster

Crab and lobster are most commonly served baked, steamed, or in bisque. A 100g serving of crab contains 11.5μg of vitamin B12 (192% of the RDA), that is 15.4μg (257%RDA) per leg (134g). Lobster will provide 4.04μg(67% RDA) per 100g serving, or 6.59μg (110% RDA) in an average whole lobster (163g). Click to see complete nutrition facts.

7: Beef

In addition to being a vitamin B12 rich food, beef is also a good source of protein, zinc, and heme-iron. The amount of vitamin B-12 in beef depends on the cut, lean fat-trimmed chuck contains the most vitamin B12 with 6.18μg (103% RDA) per 100g serving, 11.49μg (103% RDA) in a chuck steak, and 5.25μg (88% RDA) in a 3 ounce serving. Chuck is followed by sirloin (62% RDA), rib-eye (60% RDA), and ribs (58% RDA). Click to see complete nutrition facts.

8: Lamb (Mutton)

Lamb is a common meat in the Middle East, Mediterranean, East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Europe. Lamb is a high cholesterol food so be sure to look for lean cuts which are higher in B12 anyway. Lamb also provides high amounts of protein, and zinc. The shoulder is the cut of lamb with the most vitamin B-12 providing 3.71μg (62% RDA) per 100g serving, 5.82μg (97% RDA) per pound, and 3.15μg (53% RDA) in a 3 ounce serving. The shoulder is followed by the foreshank and leg which provides 53% of the RDA per 100g serving, and lamb chops which provide 51% of the RDA for vitmain B12 per 100 gram serving. Click to see complete nutrition facts.

9: Cheese

Despite being a high cholesterol food, cheese is a good source of calcium, protein, and Riboflavin (Vitamin B2). The amount of vitamin B12 in cheese depends on type and variety, Swiss cheese provides the most with 3.34μg (56% RDA) per 100g serving, followed by Gjetost (40% RDA), Mozzarella(39% RDA), Parmesan (38% RDA), Tilsit (35% RDA), and Feta (28% RDA). Click to see complete nutrition facts.

10: Eggs

When it comes to chicken eggs the raw yellow has most of the vitamin B-12 with 1.95μg per 100g serving (33%), however, this equates to 0.33μg per yolk or just 6% of the RDA. The eggs of other animals are higher with a goose egg providing 7.34μg (122% RDA) of vitamin B-12 per 100g serving, and a duck egg providing 3.78μg (63% RDA).

I have been missing my weekly serving of Octopus!!!! http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-high-in-vitamin-B12.php

I had a B12 test last month. I was at 366pg/ml. Healthy Range was 200-1100pg/ml. My doc says I am 'not optimal' and that she likes to see it at between 700-800pg/ml. So now I am taking a supplement (1000mcg/daily) and twice weekly B12 shots. I must be missing the best sources or not digesting/absorbing it correctly.

The serum B12 lab ranges in most countries are very low similarly to Vitamin D. Most labs have somewhere around 200-1100pg/ml as a normal range. However, it is considered that the low range of that signifies sub-clinical B12 deficiency. That is why Japan have >500 pg/ml range and any levels below that are treated.

For more info check the book Could it be B12?

Also this blog post by Chris Kresser:

http://chriskresser.com/b12-deficiency-a-silent-epidemic-with-serious-consequences