We are conducting this research to evaluate and compare the body’s ability to absorb different formulations of Vitamin B12. Specifically, we are comparing a permeability-enhanced Vitamin B12 formulation (containing special ingredients designed to enhance absorption) with standard Vitamin B12 supplement. By measuring Vitamin B12 levels in your blood, we aim to better understand the absorption of these different formulations.

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that plays an important role in your health:

• Helps your body produce energy
• Essential for red blood cells formation
• Maintains healthy nerves and brain function
• Supports DNA synthesis
• Plays a role in immune system function

Although many individuals take vitamin and mineral supplements, their absorption can vary significantly depending on the formulation. Identifying which formulations are more efficiently absorbed may help people make better-informed choices about their supplement use and optimise the potential health benefits.

This research is important because if the permeability-enhanced formulation works better, it could provide a more effective and convenient option for people who need to take vitamin B12 supplements. This could be particularly beneficial for older adults and others who have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12, helping them maintain healthy B12 levels without needing injections.

Your participation in this study will involve attending two full-day visits and two follow-up visits at the RDC Clinical site in Fortitude Valley. Each full-day visit will last approximately 9 hours, while each follow-up visit will be in the morning and take about 30 minutes.

We will confirm the specific dates of your clinic visits during your initial phone screening.

All requirements of the study will be completed during your clinic visit. There are no overnight stays required and you will not be required to take any study product at home.

Please see below for more information. You can also register your interest using the form at the bottom of this page.

You can choose from the following study groups, but please note you will need to attend ALL rounds for your selected study group:

GROUP 1 Dates :

Round 1 – Tuesday August 4th – Approximately 9 hrs from 7am to 4pm

Wednesday August 5th – Approximately 30 minutes (between 7am and 8am)

Round 2 – Tuesday August 18th – Approximately 9 hrs from 7am to  4pm

Wednesday August 19th – Approximately 30 minutes (between 7am and 8am)

GROUP 2 Dates :

Round 1 – Thursday August 6th – Approximately 9 hrs from 7am to 4pm

Friday August 7th – Approximately 30 minutes (between 7am and 8am)

Round 2 – Thursday August 20th – Approximately 9 hrs from 7am to  4pm

Friday August 21st – Approximately 30 minutes (between 7am and 8am)

Please see below for more information. You can also register your interest using the form on this page.

The B12 products will be supplied in capsule form, and participants will be required to take one single dose of the allocated Vitamin B12 formulation at the beginning of each of the two full day visits. You will therefore receive one vitamin B12 formulation at visit 1 and the other vitamin B12 formulation at visit 3 (see below for the visit schedule).

The products are:

• Permeability-enhanced Vitamin B12 formulation (1000 micrograms B12 with permeation enhancer)
• Standard Vitamin B12 formulation (1000 micrograms B12)

This study uses a double-blind, crossover design, meaning you will receive both the permeability-enhanced vitamin B12 and the standard vitamin B12 during the trial, but neither you nor the investigators will know which product you are receiving at each visit. This design helps ensure that the results are not influenced by expectations about which product might work better.

However, this information will be available to you upon completion of the study or at any time if it is necessary for your care.

Your involvement in the study will be over approximately 3 weeks with 4 clinic visits. There are no overnight stays required in this study, nor will you be required to take study product at home.

The visit schedule is:

Visit 1: 9-hour clinic visit (take a single dose [1 capsule orally] of the study product)

Visit 2: 30-minute follow-up visit for a single blood sample (the following morning)

Washout period (at least 10 days from visit 1). During this time you will return to normal activities at home.

Visit 3: 9-hour clinic visit (take a single dose [1 capsule orally] of the study product)

Visit 4: 30-minute follow-up visit for a single blood sample (the following morning)

During the study, you will be asked to:

• Fast for 10 hours before your clinic visit (water is ok)
• Attend 4 clinic visits (specific dates will be provided during the screening call)
• Take the study product once at the beginning of Visit 1 and Visit 3
• Have blood draws taken throughout Visit 1 and Visit 3 (via a cannula in your arm)
• Remain in the clinic for the duration of your visits. Approximately 9 hours for Visits 1 and 3, and approximately 30 minutes for Visits 2 and 4.

The information we collect during the study will enable the investigators to assess how well your body absorbs the different supplement formulations.

During Visit 1 and Visit 3, you will be provided with standardized meals (breakfast ans lunch) and snacks, and you are welcome to bring your own device to pass the time. If you are planning to use your device, we do ask that participants to bring headphones so as not to disturb other participants.

Please note that not all diets will be able to be catered to. If you do require a specific diet, please let us know at the time of screening so we can ensure that this study is suitable for you.

Please note: This page is a summary of the study outline and participant requirements. A full Participant Information Sheet with detailed information will be provided to you before you are asked to give your consent to participate.

Upon completion of the study requirements, you will be paid $500 for your time and travel expenses. The payment will be made by gift voucher or via direct deposit to your nominated bank account (your choice) once all study requirements have been met. Please note, that as payment needs to be processed after your completion and via our payment portal, please allow 5-7 business days after completion to receive payment.

Pro rata payments are also available in the case of early withdrawal as detailed in the participant information sheet that will be provided to you.

If you are interested in participating, we’d love to hear from you. Please register your interest by answering the questionnaire and completing the form on this page…we’ll then get in touch to screen you for suitability.

Our clinic is centrally located on Level 3, 252 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley.

Due to limited availability, there will not be on-site parking provided for this study. However, our clinic is a 10 minute walk from Fortitude Valley train station, and there are multiple bus stops within close proximity.

• Adults 50+ years old
• BMI between 18 and 29.9 kg/m² (you can check your BMI using the calculator below)
• Generally healthy
• Able to provide informed consent
• Able to commit to completing the study requirements
• Able to fast for 10 hours prior to study visits
• Have not taken Vitamin B12 or a multivitamin containing B12 in the past 2 months

Please note: This page is a summary of the study outline and participant requirements. A full Participant Information Sheet with more detailed information will be provided to you before you are asked to give your consent to participate.

Check your BMI here with the BMI Calculator…

This RDC Clinical study has been approved by the Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee under Approval Number: 2026-01-061. The study is also registered on the clinicaltrials.gov under Registration Number: NCT07665671

Trained trial coordinators will supervise your progress throughout the study. Your results will be made available to you at the conclusion of the study. Any of your personal information collected during the study will be kept in the strictest confidence.