Ordinarily, people do not need to take supplementary vitamin B12 because they obtain enough in their diets. Under certain conditions, B12 supplementation may be necessary if the person has stomach problems, is over 50, is a vegetarian, has certain diseases or has had digestive tract surgery. Consultation with a medical professional is advised if a B12 deficiency is suspected.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that helps keep nerves healthy, helps red blood cell formation, assists in DNA synthesis and prevents anemia. B12 contains cobalt, a mineral, and is referred to as one of the cobalamin vitamins. Ordinarily it is found in food from animals but not plants. It may be produced synthetically for use as a supplement. Foods, like some cereals containing B12, are called "fortified." The recommended dose of B12 for adults is 2.4 mcg per day. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, research has failed to establish any benefit from supplementary B12 in preventing heart attacks or strokes, and supplementary B12 does not raise a person's energy level.
B12 Deficiency
Ordinarily, people ingest enough B12 in food and need no supplementation. When a vitamin B12 deficiency is present, symptoms may include tiredness, weakness, memory loss, loss of appetite, weight loss, anemia, difficulty balancing, depression, confusion, sore mouth or tongue and numbness in feet or hands. In infants, B12 deficiency may cause failure to thrive, movement disorders, developmental delay and anemia. Those who eat strict vegetarian or vegan diets need additional B12. So do those with gastric bypasses, or digestive tract diseases like Crohn's disease. Someone taking more than 1,000 mcg per day of folic acid may need additional B12, because the folic acid can make it seem as if you have enough B12, but you may still be anemic and lose some cognitive functioning.
Digestion and B12 in Older Adults
As adults get older, the amount of digestive acid in their stomachs decreases, making it more difficult to absorb B12. The Office of Dietary Supplements recommends that adults over 50 take supplemental B12 or eat more fortified foods. Blood tests can help identify B12 deficiency, so those adults should check their levels with their doctors.
Pernicious Anemia and B12
Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disease that weakens the lining of the stomach, making it harder to absorb B12. B12 supplementation by solid or injected synthetic B12 is required in order to prevent a deficiency.
Mild Cognitive Impairment and B12
Homocysteine in blood plasma is a risk factor for brain atrophy, mild cognitive impairment -- or MCI -- and dementia in elderly adults. About 16 percent of people over 70 years old may get MCI, and about half of those develop Alzheimer's disease. A. David Smith and associates performed a study reported in the journal "Plos One" in 2010 to see if a combination of B12, folic acid and B6 would significantly lower the level of homocysteine in blood, thus affecting the rate of brain atrophy. They found that the rate of brain atrophy measured by serial volumetric MRI scans was five times slower in the people given the B vitamins. There was a 31.7 percent lower amount of homocysteine in the subjects' blood plasma, resulting in a reduction of brain atrophy by about 30 percent. While this research may not yet be relied upon for suggesting B12 supplementation for everyone over 70, it is a strong result that shows promise for helping people in the future.
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