Dietary sources of vitamin B-12 and their association with plasma vitamin B-12 concentrations in the general population: the Hordaland Homocysteine Study

Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Apr;89(4):1078-87. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2008.26598. Epub 2009 Feb 3.

Abstract

Background: Limited information is available on the association between vitamin B-12 status and intake from different dietary sources.

Objective: We investigated the relation of dietary intake of different food items with plasma vitamin B-12 concentrations in the general population.

Design: A cross-sectional, population-based study of 5937 subjects in 2 age groups (47-49 and 71-74 y) from the Hordaland Homocysteine Study in Norway was conducted by using a food-frequency questionnaire and measurements of plasma vitamin B-12 concentrations.

Results: A significant difference in plasma vitamin B-12 concentrations was observed with increasing total vitamin B-12 intake. A plateau was reached at an intake of approximately 10 microg/d. Plasma vitamin B-12 was associated with intakes of increasing amounts of vitamin B-12 from dairy products or fish (P for trend <0.001 for both) but not with intakes of vitamin B-12 from meat or eggs. For the same content of vitamin B-12, intake from dairy products led to the greatest increase in plasma vitamin B-12. Total intake of vitamin B-12, particularly from milk and fish, decreased the risk of vitamin B-12 concentrations <200 pmol/L and impaired vitamin B-12 function (vitamin B-12 <200 pmol/L and methylmalonic acid >0.27 micromol/L) in the total group and in 71-74-y-old subjects.

Conclusions: Dietary intake of dairy products and fish are significant contributors to plasma vitamin B-12 and may improve plasma vitamin B-12 status. Vitamin B-12 appears to be more bioavailable from dairy products; guidelines for improving vitamin B-12 status should take this into consideration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging / blood
  • Aging / physiology
  • Biological Availability
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dairy Products
  • Diet Surveys
  • Diet*
  • Female
  • Homocysteine / blood*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Norway / epidemiology
  • Nutritional Requirements
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Seafood
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vitamin B 12 / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamin B 12 / blood*
  • Vitamin B 12 / pharmacokinetics
  • Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / epidemiology
  • Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / prevention & control
  • Vitamin B Complex / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin B Complex / blood
  • Vitamin B Complex / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Homocysteine
  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Vitamin B 12