Here’s what BeansTalk was worried about since we have a bad reaction to B-12 (and asked about it, too): Vitamin B12 is part of the B complex of vitamins. B12 is essential to the body’s metabolism of fat and carbohydrates in addition to protein synthesis and calcium absorption. B12 also helps in DNA synthesis, the formation of red blood cells, and the maintenance of healthy nervous and cardiovascular systems. B12 is an essential part of the energy formula in Zipfizz. The combination of B12 and electrolytes in conjunction with the other ingredients is what gives Zipfizz its healthy energy boost. B12 is water soluble, meaning that any excess will wash right through your body just like Vitamin C. Deficiencies of B12, while uncommon, can lead to anemia, hair loss, confusion, nerve degeneration, dementia, depression and other conditions. B-12 has been found to be non-toxic, even in high doses. In fact, the amount of B-12 in one Zipfizz is equivalent to only about half the vitamin B-12 found in a B-12 injection administered by a physician, which is a treatment often reimbursed by health insurance.

The energy drink market has seen a 53% growth rate over 2003, selling $203 million in the U.S. in 2004. Sports drinks saw a 12.1% growth rate over 2003, selling $1.1 billion in the U.S. in 2004. Did you know that the bottled-water business is a $10 billion dollar business?

Zipfizz is available for purchase online at Zipfizz.com (www.zipfizz.com). It is currently available at Costco.com (www.costco.com). Zipfizz is also available to order by phone at 1-877-ZIP-FIZZ (877-947-3499) and can be found at select Costco stores in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada and Washington. (Berry Blast flavor is not available at Costco.) It is also available at over 400 convenience and grocery stores in the northwest, and counting.