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Posted on Oct 10, 2002, 5 a.m.
By Bill Freeman
Health experts are warning of the dangers of vitamin-B12 deficiency after a recent study revealed that the problem is much more common than previously thought. The study of 2,999 people found that 39% of individuals had low-to-normal blood levels of the vitamin, 17% had levels low enough to cause symptoms of deficiency, and 9% were deficient.
Health experts are warning of the dangers of vitamin-B12 deficiency after a recent study revealed that the problem is much more common than previously thought. The study of 2,999 people found that 39% of individuals had low-to-normal blood levels of the vitamin, 17% had levels low enough to cause symptoms of deficiency, and 9% were deficient. Those aged 26-49 had the same vitamin-B12 status as those aged 65-83, thus young people are as likely to suffer from the problem as the elderly. Being deficient in the vitamin is known to cause anemia, dementia, and severe nerve damage. Eating breakfast cereals fortified with vitamin B-12 or taking a daily multivitamin can help to prevent vitamin-B12 deficiency.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2000; 71:514-522
