How much vitamin B12 should a 70 year old take?

Recommended Vitamin B12 Dosage for Seniors
A recent study found that for seniors, a daily dose of 500 micrograms was efficient in reversing the signs of B12 deficiency. In general, experts recommend 2.5 micrograms of vitamin B12 per day for people over the age of 14.


Is it OK to take 1000 mcg of B12 a day for seniors?

Ideal Vitamin B12 Dosage for Seniors

The exception is if you have underlying health conditions that impact how well your body absorbs vitamin B12 or if you have a severe deficiency. In some cases, high doses of 500 to 1000 micrograms per day might be necessary to reverse B12 deficiency.

Should people over 70 take B12?

If you are an older adult, you should be taking a supplement for B12 as well as trying to incorporate B12 into your diet. It is vital for good health and cognitive functioning. Studies continue to show all the ways it is beneficial for your overall health.


Is 1200 mcg of B12 too much daily?

Supplementing with vitamin B12 may be important for vegetarians, vegans, and older adults who may not absorb nutrients as easily. There is no upper limit for vitamin B12, and most supplements provide between 500 mcg to 5,000 mcg of B12 daily to meet various nutritional needs [2].

What is the best B12 supplement for seniors?

Other B12 Options for Seniors
  1. Garden of Life Raw Vitamin Code B12. Whole food-based methylcobalamin. ...
  2. Nature Made Vitamin B12 Gummies. ...
  3. Thorne Research Methylcobalamin. ...
  4. Pure Encapsulations B12 with Folate. ...
  5. Natrol Vitamin B12 Fast Dissolve Tablets. ...
  6. Triquetra Organic Vitamin B12. ...
  7. Solimo Vitamin B12 3,000 mcg. ...
  8. Nutricost Vitamin B12.


The Optimal Vitamin B12 Dosage for Adults



How much B12 should a 70 year old woman take?

Recommended Vitamin B12 Dosage for Seniors

A recent study found that for seniors, a daily dose of 500 micrograms was efficient in reversing the signs of B12 deficiency. In general, experts recommend 2.5 micrograms of vitamin B12 per day for people over the age of 14.

What are the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency in the elderly?

The most common signs of vitamin B12 deficiency in seniors include:
  • Fatigue.
  • Anemia.
  • Neuropathy.
  • Memory problems.
  • Walking difficulties.


What happens if your B12 is too high?

In some people, high levels of B12 may cause gastrointestinal problems such as bloating and diarrhea. And if you have high blood pressure or poor cardiovascular health, having too much B12 may further complicate these issues. Pregnant and breastfeeding women may also need to be especially mindful of B12 levels.


What strength B12 should I take?

The usual dose for: diet-related deficiency is 50 micrograms to 150 micrograms, taken once a day. B12 deficiency not caused by your diet is one to two 1,000 microgram tablets, taken once or twice a day – this is usually if you cannot have vitamin B12 injections.

Is 1000 mcg B12 a lot?

Even the lowest doses in B12 supplements are many times the recommended dietary allowance. Doses up to 1,000 mcg, though unnecessary, aren't harmful.

Is vitamin B12 important for seniors?

Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in the health of older adults. Vitamin B-12 is involved in making DNA, red blood cell formation, and proper nerve function1. While more research is needed, low vitamin B-12 levels have also been linked to increased bone fracture risk2.


What medications should not be taken with B12?

Possible interactions include:
  • Aminosalicylic acid (Paser). Taking this drug used to treat digestive problems might reduce your body's ability to absorb vitamin B-12.
  • Colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare, Gloperba). ...
  • Metformin (Glumetza, Fortamet, others). ...
  • Proton pump inhibitors. ...
  • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplements.


How much B12 is too much?

Since B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, it's generally considered safe, even at high doses. No Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) has been established for B12, due to its low level of toxicity. UL refers to the maximum daily dose of a vitamin unlikely to cause adverse side effects in the general population.

How much B12 should a 74 year old woman take?

With that in mind, let's go back to our initial question: how much vitamin B12 should a person over 65 take? Recent reports suggest that, along with a B12-rich diet, consuming 500 micrograms of B12 in the form of a supplement may help individuals over 65 maintain healthy vitamin B12 levels [2].


Which vitamin B is best for seniors?

What you absolutely want: B-12: The B vitamin older people are most likely to need is vitamin B-12 because absorption of B-12 from foods can decrease with age, while B-12 from supplements is easier to absorb. The recommended intake of B-12 is quite small — just 2.4 mcg per day.

Is 1000 mcg of vitamin B12 good?

Toxicity. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, so any unused amount will exit the body through the urine. Generally, up to 1000 mcg a day of an oral tablet to treat a deficiency is considered safe.

Should you take B12 everyday?

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient. Fish, shellfish, meat, eggs, and dairy products are good sources of vitamin B12. The amount that should be consumed on a daily basis is called the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). The RDA is 2.4 mcg daily for people 18 years and older.


Is 800 mcg B12 too much?

Don't worry about overdoing it -- there's no upper limit on B12, which means there's no evidence that high levels (up to 1,000 mcg) are harmful.

Is 5000 mcg B12 ok?

Is 5000 mcg of B12 too much? A dosage of 5000 mcg of Vitamin B12 has been deemed a safe dosing amount. In fact, it is often recommended for those who have a health condition that affects their B12 absorption.

Can B12 cause neuropathy?

B12 deficiency may cause demyelination of nerves in the peripheral and central nervous system13 and has been associated with peripheral neuropathy, loss of sensation in peripheral nerves, and weakness in lower extremities in older adults1, 1416.


What should a women's B12 level be?

Normal values are 160 to 950 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL), or 118 to 701 picomoles per liter (pmol/L). Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different samples. Talk to your provider about what your specific test results mean.

How do I know if my body is lacking B12?

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency

a pale yellow tinge to your skin. a sore and red tongue (glossitis) mouth ulcers. pins and needles (paraesthesia)

How can you tell if you are lacking B12?

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Weakness, tiredness, or lightheadedness. Heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Pale skin. A smooth tongue.


How do I know if Im lacking in B12?

Symptoms of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
  1. extreme tiredness.
  2. a lack of energy.
  3. pins and needles (paraesthesia)
  4. a sore and red tongue.
  5. mouth ulcers.
  6. muscle weakness.
  7. disturbed vision.
  8. psychological problems, which may include depression and confusion.