Older men and women efficiently absorb vitamin B-12 from milk and fortified bread

Nothing is directly known about the bioavailability of vitamin B-12 from dairy products or fortified grain products. We directly studied vitamin B-12 absorption from water, milk and fortified bread in adult subjects using Co-58-labeled vitamin B-12 and a whole body gamma-ray counter/spectrophotometer. Sixteen healthy men and women over the age of 60 y with normal serum levels of vitamin B-12 and normal basal gastric acid secretion were studied. Co-58 vitamin B-12 (0.25 mug) was administered in water, milk or fortified bread to each subject along with 185 kBq (5.0 mu Ci) Cr-51 as a stool marker. Whole body counting was performed 30 min after ingestion of the radioactive dose and at 7 and 14 d after dosing. Mean absorptions from water, milk and fortified bread were 55, 65 and 55%, respectively, and did not differ. The high body retention of the extrinsic vitamin B-12 label from milk and bread may warrant a greater use of such fortified products in the elderly to ensure vitamin B-12 adequacy.