Good for the elderly
What’s the recommended dosage of vitamin B12 for seniors ? The recommended daily allowance of vitamin B12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms. Experts have estimated that a Western diet contains 5-7 micrograms of vitamin B12 , and a multivitamin often contains 12-25 micrograms.
High. An abnormally high vitamin B-12 status is anything over 900 ng/mL. This result may suggest liver or kidney problems, diabetes , or certain forms of leukemia .
Vitamin B12 deficiency is common among the elderly . Elderly people are particularly at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency because of the high prevalence of atrophic gastritis-associated food-cobalamin ( vitamin B12 ) malabsorption, and the increasing prevalence of pernicious anaemia with advancing age.
But a normal level of vitamin B12 in your bloodstream is generally between 190 and 950 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL). Between 200 to 300 pg/mL is considered borderline and your doctor may do more testing. Below 200 pg/mL is low and more testing is needed.
Safety and side effects. When taken at appropriate doses, vitamin B-12 supplements are generally considered safe. While the recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms, you can safely take higher doses. Your body absorbs only as much as it needs, and any excess passes through your urine.
An essential vitamin B12 (also known as cobalamin) is essential for keeping your brain and nerves healthy and for making DNA and red blood cells. B12 also helps lower levels of homocysteine, an amino acid linked (in high levels) to dementia, heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis.
In many older adults, the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach is reduced, causing a reduction in the absorption of vitamin B12 . If your body has difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 , your doctor may recommend intramuscular injections of B12 to increase your levels.
An increased vitamin B12 level is uncommon. Usually, excess vitamin B12 is removed in the urine. Conditions that can increase B12 level include: Liver disease (such as cirrhosis or hepatitis) Myeloproliferative disorders (for example, polycythemia vera and chronic myelogenous leukemia)
There is no consensus on the definition of high or elevated B12 . Previous studies have chosen a variety of levels to represent high or very high B12 (pmol/l) levels . Some examples include: 664.219; 5131; 700 ( high ) and 1500 (very high )11; and 601 ( high ) and 1000 (very high )10.
B12 is important for creating red blood cells and DNA, and for maintaining healthy nerve function. “Getting enough B12 is a challenge for older people because they can’t absorb it from food as well as younger people,” says Tucker. “Even if your diet contains enough, you may be falling short.”
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says older adults should pay special attention to their intake of calcium, vitamin D , vitamin B-12 , potassium, and fiber. Fortified milk and yogurt can boost calcium and vitamin D .
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms Pale or jaundiced skin. Inflamed tongue. Weakness and fatigue . Tingling sensations in the hands or feet. Trouble walking. Blurred vision. Shortness of breath or dizziness. Changes in thinking, memory and mood.
Recovery from vitamin B12 deficiency takes time and you may not experience any improvement during the first few months of treatment. Improvement may be gradual and may continue for up to six to 12 months .
Not having enough B12 can lead to anemia, which means your body does not have enough red blood cells to do the job. This can make you feel weak and tired. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause damage to your nerves and can affect memory and thinking.
To increase the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, eat more of foods that contain it, such as: Beef, liver, and chicken. Fish and shellfish such as trout, salmon, tuna fish, and clams. Fortified breakfast cereal. Low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese. Eggs.