Reinventing B12

the ground Down

Made Possible With Human Intrinsic Factor, Absorbed Naturally
80 Million

About 80 million people in the US and over a billion people worldwide are B12 deficient and May have special dietary needs.[1]

Who's at risk of developing Vitamin B12 deficiency?

Because B12 comes from animal sources, vegans and vegetarians typically have the lowest B12 intake. This often results in B12 deficiency which is associated with higher homocysteine levels in the blood . Elevated homocysteine  is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis.[2]

Women who are pregnant have an increased need for Vitamin B12. Deficiency of B12 during pregnancy has been associated with risk of preterm birth. Adequate folate intake in a healthful diet during early pregnancy may reduce the risk of serious brain or spinal cord birth defects. Folate, B12 and choline are especially important to promote normal brain development. [3,4,5]

About one third of people with Type 2 Diabetes who take a biguanide medication may develop vitamin B12 deficiency. Research demonstrates that B12 deficiency is a factor in a common complication of diabetes called peripheral neuropathy, which responds to B12 supplementation.[6]

As acidity decreases in the stomach due to use of antacids , PPIs or H2 blockers used for GERD or acid reflux, less Intrinsic Factor is made by the body which reduces absorption of B12. This also happens when the stomach lining gets thinner as people grow older.[7,8]

The most well-known autoimmune disease associated with B12 deficiency is Pernicious Anemia. Over time, antibodies destroy the Intrinsic Factor or the cells in the stomach that make it. Other autoimmune diseases like thyroiditis or vitiligo increase the risk of developing Pernicious Anemia - which requires injections of B12 prescribed by healthcare practitioners to treat effectively.[9]

There are over 200,000 gastric bypass surgeries performed in the US every year. Many of the most popular surgeries remove the part of the stomach that makes Intrinsic Factor which causes a lifelong dependence on B12 supplementation.[10,11]

Vegans & Vegetarians

Because B12 comes from animal sources, vegans and vegetarians typically have the lowest B12 intake. This often results in B12 deficiency which is associated with higher homocysteine levels in the blood . Elevated homocysteine  is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis.[2]

Pregnant women

Women who are pregnant have an increased need for Vitamin B12. Deficiency of B12 during pregnancy has been associated with risk of preterm birth. Adequate folate intake in a healthful diet during early pregnancy may reduce the risk of serious brain or spinal cord birth defects. Folate, B12 and choline are especially important to promote normal brain development. [3,4,5]

Diabetics on a biguanide

About one third of people with Type 2 Diabetes who take a biguanide medication called may develop vitamin B12 deficiency. Research demonstrates that B12 deficiency is a factor in a common complication of diabetes called peripheral neuropathy, which responds to B12 supplementation.[6]

Antacids & age 50 +

As acidity decreases in the stomach due to use of antacids , PPIs or H2 blockers used for GERD or acid reflux, less Intrinsic Factor is made by the body which reduces absorption of B12. This also happens when the stomach lining gets thinner as people grow older.[7,8]

Autoimmune Conditions

The most well-known autoimmune disease associated with B12 deficiency is Pernicious Anemia. Over time, antibodies destroy the Intrinsic Factor or the cells in the stomach that make it. Other autoimmune diseases like thyroiditis or vitiligo increase the risk of developing Pernicious Anemia - which requires injections of B12 prescribed by healthcare practitioners to treat effectively.[9]

Gastric Bypass Surgery

There are over 200,000 gastric bypass surgeries performed in the US every year. Many of the most popular surgeries remove the part of the stomach that makes Intrinsic Factor which causes a lifelong dependence on B12 supplementation.[10,11]

It is our mission to improve the lives of 1 Billion people in our first 10 years.

here's how

Single Carbon

All living cells, proteins, sugars and fats are made from carbon. Transferring single carbons from one molecule to the next is critical for modulating proteins and genes to function normally.

Choline is the main nutritional source of single carbon and vitamin B12 and folate receive their single carbon payloads from choline. These single carbons are called 'methyl' groups and their essential role in metabolic reactions is called 'methylation'.

Methylation also plays a key role in transporting the essential fatty acid DHA  into the developing fetal brain as well as throughout the lifespan for healthy neural function.

Close up of Combocap supplement capsule.
Dual chamber capsule (ComboCaps Health, NJ) containing DHA and Single Carbon nutrients , choline, folate and B12.
Extracted Human Intrinsic Factor in vile.

Human Intrinsic Factor (IF)

Made in the stomach, IF is a protein that binds B12 and transports it to the B12 receptors in the distal small intestine to be naturally absorbed by the body.

Xeragenx's Human Intrinsic Factor is not from humans or animal sources, but is produced from a plant using the human IF gene with recombinant technology.

Human Intrinsic Factor (IF)

Made in the stomach, IF is a protein that binds B12 and transports it to the B12 receptors in the distal small intestine to be naturally absorbed by the body.

Xeragenx's Human Intrinsic Factor is not from humans or animal sources, but is produced from a plant using the human IF gene with recombinant technology.

Extracted Human Intrinsic Factor in vile.

Growing The Plant

In the Xeragenx garden, we are growing Intrinsic Factor and that can change the lives of one billion people with vitamin B12 deficiency.

Arabidopsis plants lined up at different stages of growth.

Extracting & Purifying

Juicing with a difference. The Xeragenx way!

Intrinsic Factor 3 stages of extraction and purification  shown in 3 separate glass bottles.

From our Journal