Laboratory of Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Glaxosmithkline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare, via Zambeletti s.n.c., 20021 Baranzate, Italy.
Nutrients. 2021 Jun 2;13(6):1913. doi: 10.3390/nu13061913.
Vitamin B12 (also known as cobalamin) is an essential water-soluble vitamin that plays a pivotal role for several physiologic functions during one's lifespan. Only certain microorganisms are able to synthetize B12, thus humans obtain cobalamin exclusively from their diet, specifically from animal-derived foods. Specific sub-group populations are at risk of vitamin B12 subclinical deficiency due to different factors including poor intake of animal source foods and age-dependent decrease in the capacity of intestinal B12 uptake. Consumption of animal products produces some negative health issues and negatively impacts sustainability while a plant-based diet increases the risk of B12 deficiency. Taking a cue from the aforementioned considerations, this narrative review aims to summarize facts about B12 deficiency and the burden of inadequate dietary intake in elderly population, as well as to discuss sustainable approaches to vitamin B12 deficiency in aging population.
维生素 B12（也称为钴胺素）是一种必需的水溶性维生素，在人的一生中对多种生理功能起着关键作用。只有某些微生物能够合成 B12，因此人类只能从饮食中获得钴胺素，具体来说是从动物源性食物中获得。由于多种因素，包括动物源性食物摄入不良和肠道 B12 摄取能力随年龄增长而下降，某些特定亚群人群存在维生素 B12 亚临床缺乏的风险。动物产品的消费会产生一些负面的健康问题，对可持续性产生负面影响，而植物性饮食则会增加 B12 缺乏的风险。有鉴于此，本综述旨在总结老年人维生素 B12 缺乏和膳食摄入不足的负担方面的事实，并讨论老龄化人口维生素 B12 缺乏的可持续方法。
