Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient necessary for neurological function, red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Yogurt is a good source of dietary vitamin B12. However, certain population groups may have problems absorbing vitamin B12 from foods and are at risk for developing a vitamin B12 deficiency. Therefore, for these population groups B12 supplements or B12-fortified foods are preferable to food-bound vitamin B12.
Background
Several different types of foods are good sources of dietary vitamin B12. In addition to yogurt, other B12-rich foods include fish, clams, liver, milk, beef, chicken, eggs and cheese. Therefore, strict vegetarians and vegans may be at risk for developing a B12 deficiency. Yogurt contains about 1.4 mcg of vitamin B12 per 1 c serving, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. The Institute of Medicine recommended dietary allowance or RDA for vitamin B12 is 2.4 mcg for adults, 2.6 mcg for pregnant women and 2.8 mcg per day for nursing women.
Considerations
According to the Mayo Clinic website, consuming one chicken breast, 1 c of plain yogurt and one hard-boiled egg can help meet your daily B12 requirements. However, people who have problems absorbing vitamin B12 are at risk of a B12 deficiency even if they consume adequate amounts of vitamin B12 through diet.
Malabsorption
According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, one main cause of vitamin B12 deficiency is malabsorption of B12 from foods such as yogurt. Causes of B12 malabsorption from foods may include atrophic gastritis, pernicious anemia or other gastrointestinal disorders. These conditions can significantly decrease the amount of vitamin B12 your body absorbs from eating yogurt.
Treatment
Treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency caused by malabsorption depends on the cause. The Office of Dietary Supplements reports that B12 malabsorption from foods such as yogurt caused by atrophic gastritis can be treated with synthetic B12 supplements or B12-fortified foods. The Institute of Medicine reports that 10 percent to 30 percent of older adults may malabsorb vitamin B12 found in foods and encourages adults older than 50 to consume most of their daily B12 requirement from B12-fortified foods or B12 supplements. B12 malabsorption caused by pernicious anemia is generally treated with B12 injections or high doses of oral vitamin B12 supplements.
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