Staying Healthy
The A list of B12 foods
B12 works alone and with other B vitamins to support many vital functions. Here's how to make sure you get enough.
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Most healthy adults get sufficient B12 from their regular diet. However, it's common for older people to have some level of B12 deficiency. This might stem from not including enough vitamin B12 foods in their diets or from age-related reduction in stomach acid, which the body needs in order to absorb B12 from food.
Certain conditions (such as Crohn's disease, pancreatic disease, and diabetes) and drugs (such as heartburn medication, which reduces stomach acid) also can interfere with absorption and increase your risk of deficiency. Vegans and vegetarians sometimes have trouble consuming enough B12, since many food sources are animal products.
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