Vitamin B12 V's Mosquitos

sherrardk | 23:05 Sun 25th May 2014 | Body & Soul

14 Answers

Himself has just given me a B12 tablet to take to ward of Mosquitos (sorry, it won't let me type it without a capital) when we go away. It was almost as big as half a house brick and stank, I politely declined (did a quick google and you don't have to take them till two weeks before you go away anyway). Is there any truth to B12 being effective in this way or is it a load of bunkum?

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woofgang

It has never worked for me.

puzzled54

I thought it was Marmite that had that reputation. Where are you off too?

sherrardk

Question Author

We're going to Florida.

puzzled54

I think most places in Florida spray for 'bugs'

woofgang

puzzled, its the B12 in marmite that is supposed to make you smell bad to mozzies...the only research that i could find was using vitamin B1 and the results were equivocal.

puzzled54

Ok, woofgang, that would make sense, and extra vitamin B12 can't hurt. Florida is THE best place for a family holiday sher, and at least if you do get mosquitoes about, you don't have to worry about malaria. I use the Avon skin so soft moisturiser, the one with the mosquito repellent reputation, and that seems to work for me. Mind you, I eat a lot of marmite too.

sunny-dave

It's B1 that works (to an extent) for me - needs to be very high dose stuff - like this :

http://shop.patient.co.uk/pharmacy/Benerva_100mg_Tablets_VITAMIN_B1_.htm?ID=3341

Sqad

Bunkum.

sunny-dave

Not entirely m'lud.

The evidence for high dose B1 is patchy, but a bit better than 'anecdotal'.

It should never replace proper immunisation (if appropriate for the location) and chemical/physical deterrents though.