Pharma gyan Pandit

Vitamin B-12 absorption

Some people are at risk because their bodies cannot absorb enough vitamin B-12 from foods:

1.  If you have low levels of stomach acid, you may not absorb enough vitamin B-12.

2.  Other digestive problems may also keep your body from absorbing this vitamin.

3.  The body’s ability to absorb vitamin B-12 decreases as you age.

4.  Some medicines block vitamin B-12 absorption:

– omeprazole

– lansoprazole

– Tagamet, Pepcid, Zantac

– metformin

People who do not eat enough foods with vitamin B-12 may also be at risk. Vitamin B-12 is found naturally only in animal foods (meat, fish, dairy). People who do not eat animal foods can get vitamin B-12 from foods fortified with this vitamin, such as fortified rice or soy milk or some cereals. They can also take a supplement.