What Does B12 Actually Do? Why It’s in Your Favourite Mushroom Blends

What Does B12 Actually Do? Why It’s in Your Favourite Mushroom Blends

The Unsung Hero of Daily Energy

You may have seen it listed on the back of your DIRTEA Mushroom Powder or Gummy label—Vitamin B12. Often tucked beneath the functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, Chaga, or Cordyceps, this humble nutrient plays a starring role in how energised, focused, and well you feel each day.

But what does B12 actually do—and why is it added to mushroom-based wellness products? The answer lies in its vital role in everything from energy metabolism to red blood cell formation, nervous system function, and even your mood.

This blog dives into the essential functions of B12, the consequences of deficiency, how it ties into DIRTEA’s functional mushroom philosophy, and why it's especially important for plant-based lifestyles.


1. What Is Vitamin B12, and Why Is It Important?

Vitamin B12 (also known as cobalamin) is a water-soluble vitamin that your body cannot produce on its own. It must be obtained through diet or supplementation.

B12 is essential for:

  • Nervous system health: It helps maintain the myelin sheath that protects your nerves.

  • Energy production: B12 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, which means it helps convert food into fuel.

  • Red blood cell formation: Without B12, your body can’t produce healthy red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout your body.

  • DNA synthesis: B12 is required to make and repair DNA.

  • Fatigue reduction: A lack of B12 is associated with tiredness, weakness, and brain fog.

It’s a microscopic nutrient with macro-level impact—and one that many people are unknowingly deficient in.


2. Signs of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Despite being essential, B12 deficiency is more common than you think—especially among people with plant-based diets or absorption issues. Symptoms can develop slowly and be easy to miss.

Common Symptoms of B12 Deficiency:

  • Persistent fatigue or weakness

  • Brain fog and poor concentration

  • Tingling in hands and feet

  • Pale or yellowish skin

  • Mood changes, including low mood and irritability

  • Glossitis (swollen, inflamed tongue)

  • Breathlessness or dizziness

If left untreated, severe deficiency can cause neurological damage and megaloblastic anaemia—a condition where red blood cells are too large and inefficient.


Why Does B12 Deficiency Happen?

B12 deficiency can occur due to:

  • Inadequate intake: Vegans, vegetarians, and those with low dietary diversity may not consume enough B12.

  • Malabsorption: Conditions like pernicious anaemia, coeliac disease, and Crohn’s disease interfere with B12 absorption.

  • Age: As we age, stomach acid production declines, which can reduce B12 absorption from food.

  • Medications: Long-term use of antacids, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and metformin can impact B12 levels.

Stat: According to the UK National Health Service. An estimated 6% of people under 60 and up to 20% of those over 60 have a B12 deficiency in the UK.


3. B12 for Energy: More Than Just a Buzzword

Marketing often touts B12 as the “energy vitamin”—but what does that actually mean?

Vitamin B12 plays a critical role in the metabolic pathway that converts carbohydrates and fats into usable energy via ATP (adenosine triphosphate). When you’re low on B12, your mitochondria (your cells’ energy producers) can’t function optimally—leading to low energy and fatigue.

In DIRTEA products like Cordyceps (Performance Powder) and Chaga (Immunity Powder), B12 works alongside the mushrooms’ natural adaptogenic properties to support:

  • Natural stamina

  • Reduced fatigue

  • Improved physical performance

While mushrooms like Cordyceps may support energy on a cellular level through adenosine-related pathways, B12 provides essential cofactors that allow these processes to function properly.

4. B12 and the Nervous System

Your nervous system acts like your body’s communication network. Every signal—whether it’s moving your hand or recalling a memory—relies on a complex web of electrical impulses and nerve transmissions.

B12 supports:

  • The production of myelin, the insulating layer around nerves

  • Proper nerve signalling and function

  • Neuroprotection against cognitive decline with age

That’s why DIRTEA’s Mushroom coffee and Focus Gummies include B12. Lion’s Mane is already famed for supporting cognitive health, and B12 adds an extra layer of nervous system support to this mental performance stack.


5. B12 and Red Blood Cells

B12 is essential for the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen from your lungs to your tissues.

Without enough B12:

  • Your red blood cells become abnormally large and inefficient (megaloblastic)

  • Oxygen transport is compromised

  • You may experience shortness of breath, dizziness, and weakness

In functional mushroom products like DIRTEA Chaga, known for its antioxidant and immune-supporting properties, adding B12 ensures your energy systems and blood health are supported too.


6. Why Is B12 in DIRTEA Mushroom Powders and Gummies?

DIRTEA’s philosophy blends ancient wisdom with modern science—and that means enhancing traditional mushroom formulas with the nutrients your body needs most today.

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient for energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and nervous system function—yet it's often lacking in plant-based diets. That’s why B12 is infused across key DIRTEA blends to complement the natural power of functional mushrooms.

DIRTEA includes organic B12 in:

  • Reishi Calm Powder – for calm, immunity, and nervous system support

  • Chaga Immunity Powder – to support daily defence, energy, and resilience

  • Cordyceps Performance Powder – for endurance, stamina, and energy metabolism

  • Focus Gummies – with B12 + B5 + Lion’s Mane for cognitive support and reduced fatigue

  • Mushroom Coffee Super Blend – with B12 + Ashwagandha + Lion’s Mane for calm energy and focus

  • Mushroom Cacao Super Blend – with B12 + Reishi for an evening wind-down ritual and immune support

  • Mushroom Matcha Super Blend – with B12 + Lion’s Mane + Biotin for calm alertness and skin support

  • Mushroom Chai Super Blend – with B12 + 14 powerful ingredients for a spiced, warming ritual to support balance and resilience

These B12-enriched blends are especially beneficial for plant-based or modern lifestyles that may be low in this essential nutrient—offering a ritual that supports both mind and body, every day.


7. Plant-Based Diets and B12: A Key Consideration

Many of DIRTEA’s customers follow a vegan or flexitarian lifestyle, often looking for natural and sustainable sources of nourishment.

However, B12 is only naturally found in animal-derived foods, such as:

  • Meat, poultry, and fish

  • Dairy products

  • Eggs

This makes supplementation essential for anyone cutting back on animal products. DIRTEA’s inclusion of organic B12 offers a plant-friendly solution to a very real nutritional gap—no injections or synthetic multivitamins required.


Final Thoughts: A Vital Vitamin, Elevated

B12 might not get the spotlight in wellness trends the way mushrooms do, but its role is foundational. From energy to cognition, immunity to blood health, B12 makes your body’s systems function at their best.

At DIRTEA, we believe in creating rituals that work with your body—not just trendy solutions. By combining powerful functional mushrooms with essential nutrients like B12, we deliver intelligent, effective wellness blends designed for modern life.

So next time you sip your Chaga latte or pop a performance gummy, know that B12 is working quietly behind the scenes—keeping you energised, focused, and resilient.


FAQ: All About B12 in Your Mushroom Blends

Can mushrooms naturally contain B12?

Mushrooms in their raw form do not contain active B12. Some species may have B12 analogues, but they are not bioavailable to humans. That’s why B12 is added to DIRTEA blends as an essential nutrient.


Is the B12 in DIRTEA synthetic?

DIRTEA uses organic-certified B12, suitable for plant-based lifestyles and free from synthetic additives or fillers.


Should I still supplement if I take DIRTEA?

DIRTEA products provide daily support, but individuals with diagnosed B12 deficiency may need higher therapeutic doses. Always consult your GP or nutritionist for personalised guidance.


How long does it take to notice the effects of B12?

If you were previously low in B12, you might notice improvements in energy, mood, or focus within a few days to a few weeks. However, everyone responds differently—and factors like diet, sleep, and overall lifestyle can influence how quickly you feel the effects.


References (APA style)

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