In a study of 98 middle-aged and older women, the researchers found that six daily micrograms of B-12 seemed to be enough to prevent signs of mild B-12 deficiency, but that figure compares to the current recommended dietary allowance of 2.4 micrograms per day.

Dr. Mustafa Vakur Bor, the lead researcher from the University Hospital of Aarhus in Denmark, said the findings, along with those from several past studies, strongly suggest that the recommended dietary allowance of B-12 should be raised,

Vitamin B-12 is essential for maintaining healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. A deficiency in the vitamin can cause symptoms ranging from subtle fatigue and mild dizziness to more severe nerve damage, anemia and even dementia.

Although Westerners consume diets that provide far more than the current recommended daily allowance of B-12, vegetarians are at risk for a deficiency since they avoid all animal products, including dairy, in which B-12 occurs naturally.

In addition, adults older than 50 are at higher risk for B-12 deficiencies because their thinning stomach linings impede the proper release of digestive acids that are critical for absorbing B-12. The researchers suggested that older adults get their B-12 from pills and fortified foods like cereal because the synthetic version of the vitamin is more readily absorbed than the natural form.

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Contact: Dr. Mustafa Vakur Bor
Posted by: Steve Smith
Website: www.ajcn.org

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