July/August 2006
HEALTH BYTES

Double vitamin B12 intake?

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin B12 should be more than doubled, according to new research. A deficiency can cause mild to severe symptoms ranging from fatigue, mild dizziness, nerve damage, anemia and dementia. The current RDA for B12 is 2.4 micrograms per day, but the new study found that six micrograms of B12 per day is necessary. Because vitamin B12 is found in animal products, including meat, fish, eggs and dairy, vegetarians and vegans are more likely to experience a deficiency.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2006