Experts warn that common MTHFR gene variants could make the problem even worse.
Ahead of Vitamin B12 Awareness Day on 23 September, a date acknowledged in the House of Commons record, Nature Provides has released new YouGov research that points to a simple story: risk is high, awareness is low, action is rare.
Nearly one in three Brits may be at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, yet most do not recognise the warning signs.
The nationally representative survey of 2,178 UK adults shows a clear gap between risk, awareness and behaviour:
Dietary risk: Around a third of Brits (26–30%) follow diets that may limit B12 intake, including vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian or reduced red meat.
Low action: Only 1 in 8 (12%) take a daily B12 supplement. Most never do.
Perception: Just 23% think they are personally at risk.
Confusion on symptoms:
55% link fatigue with B12 deficiency
36% brain fog
32% poor memory
Only 25% recognise pins and needles, a classic neurological sign
Nearly 1 in 10 wrongly pick constipation or itchy skin
Diet is only part of the picture. Even people who eat animal products can be low in B12 because of absorption issues, age-related changes or genetics. For many, a bioactive B12 supplement, a form the body can readily use, can help. For some, a liquid bioactive B12 can also be easier to take and absorb.
Rachel Aceso, Certified Nutritionist and CEO of Nature Provides, told That's Health: “Vitamin B12 is essential for energy, cognition and nervous system health, yet it is often overlooked. The data shows many Brits are blaming tiredness, brain fog and poor memory on stress or ageing, when B12 deficiency could be the cause.
“What is not widely known is that even people who eat meat can be deficient because of absorption problems, age-related changes, or genetic factors. Up to half of Brits carry MTHFR gene variants that reduce how effectively they process vitamin B12.
"That is why choosing a bioactive B12 is so important. It gives the body what it can actually use, and the difference can be transformative.”
Case study: Dr Simone Raenker
Dr Simone Raenker knows how easy it is to miss the signs. She ate well, slept well and walked daily, yet she still struggled with exhaustion, brain fog and low mood.
“I was doing everything right, eating healthily, sleeping well, walking daily, yet I felt constantly exhausted and foggy,” she says. “I blamed myself, thinking I just could not cope with the demands of life. Doctors told me I was physically healthy, but I felt hopeless.
“When I switched to a bioactive B12 supplement, I noticed a dramatic improvement within days. It felt like someone had switched the lights back on. I had my energy, clarity and joy back again.”
About B12 Awareness Day:
B12 Awareness Day takes place on 23 September. The date has been used by UK campaigners and was referenced in the House of Commons on 23 September 2020 during a petition presentation on vitamin B12 access.
About Nature Provides:
Nature Provides is a UK-based supplement brand founded by Certified Nutritionist Rachel Aceso, specialising in clean, effective, filler-free formulations made in the UK. The company's award-winning vitamin B12 is trusted by customers seeking optimal energy, mood and cognitive support.
