Prevalence of Deficient Vitamin B12 Intake in a South Indian Population

Abstract

ObjectiveVitamin B12 is needed for the metabolism of homocysteine (Hcy). Here we examine intake of B12 and its association with Hcy levels in rural and urban adults in South India.Methods: A randomly selected sample of 8080 (urban: 2221; semi‐urban: 2821; rural areas: 3038) participants (mean age 42 years; 58% women) had diet, anthropometric, blood pressure (BP) and key blood parameters, including Hcy, assessments.Results: B12 intake was higher in urban (1.9 ± 0.9ug/d) compared to semi‐urban (1.4 ± 0.7 ug/d), and rural (1.2± 0.7ug/d) adults (p <0.01). Women had significantly (p<0.01) lower intakes of B12 compared to men across age groups and area (1.42 ± 0.8 vs. 1.6 ± 0.8 ug/d). Vegetarians (n=594) had higher intakes of B12 compared to non‐vegetarians (n=7058) (1.6 ± 0.7 vs. 1.5 ± 0.8; p< 0.05). A greater percentage of non‐vegetarian women (40%) had intakes <1ug/d compared to vegetarian women (20%). About 40 % of both rural and semi urban women consumed <1ug of B12 /day. About 20% of men from all locations and urban women had <1ug /d of B12. Milk and milk products were the primary sources of B12 for both sexes across locations. B12 intakes correlated inversely and significantly with Hcy levels (p<0.01), with greater associations in men compared to women (p<0.01).ConclusionsA high proportion of participants have low B12 intake, especially among those from rural and semi‐urban areas and among non‐vegetarians. Consumption of meat does not seem to improve B 12 intake. Interventions to improve B 12 intake are needed.