Dietary Sources of Vitamin B-12 and Their Association with Vitamin B-12 Status Markers in Healthy Older Adults in the B-PROOF Study |
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Authors: | Elske M. Brouwer-Brolsma Rosalie A. M. Dhonukshe-Rutten Janneke P. van Wijngaarden Nikita L. van der Zwaluw Nathalie van der Velde Lisette C. P. G. M. de Groot |
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Affiliation: | 1.Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 17, Wageningen 6700 AA, The Netherlands; E-Mails: (R.A.M.D.-R.); (J.P.V.W.); (N.L.V.D.Z.); (L.C.P.G.M.D.G.);2.Erasmus MC, Department of Internal Medicine, P.O. Box 2040, Rotterdam 3000 CA, The Netherlands; E-Mail: ;3.Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, P.O. Box 22700, Amsterdam 1100 DD, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | Low vitamin B-12 concentrations are frequently observed among older adults. Malabsorption is hypothesized to be an important cause of vitamin B-12 inadequacy, but serum vitamin B-12 may also be differently affected by vitamin B-12 intake depending on food source. We examined associations between dietary sources of vitamin B-12 (meat, fish and shellfish, eggs, dairy) and serum vitamin B-12, using cross-sectional data of 600 Dutch community-dwelling adults (≥65 years). Dietary intake was assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Vitamin B-12 concentrations were measured in serum. Associations were studied over tertiles of vitamin B-12 intake using P for trend, by calculating prevalence ratios (PRs), and splines. Whereas men had significantly higher vitamin B-12 intakes than women (median (25th–75th percentile): 4.18 (3.29–5.38) versus 3.47 (2.64–4.40) μg/day), serum vitamin B-12 did not differ between the two sexes (mean ± standard deviation (SD): 275 ± 104 pmol/L versus 290 ± 113 pmol/L). Higher intakes of dairy, meat, and fish and shellfish were significantly associated with higher serum vitamin B-12 concentrations, where meat and dairy—predominantly milk were the most potent sources. Egg intake did not significantly contribute to higher serum vitamin B-12 concentrations. Thus, dairy and meat were the most important contributors to serum vitamin B-12, followed by fish and shellfish. |
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Keywords: | vitamin B-12 intake serum vitamin B-12 dairy milk yoghurt cheese meat fish and shellfish eggs |
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