Vitamin Bi 2 from algae appears not to be bioavailable 1 ’ 2

The effect of algae (nori and spirulina) and fermented plant foods on the hematological status of vitamin B-l2-deficient children was evaluated. Although rising plasma vitamin B-12 concentrations in children consuming only plant foods (0. 1-2.7 g vitamin B-12/d) indicated that the vitamin B12 was absorbed, elevated baseline values of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) further deteriorated. In contrast, MCV improved in children receiving fish containing 0. 15-0.5 zg vitamin B-l2/ d or a vitamin B-12 supplement. Further studies on the specificity ofcurrent vitamin B-l2 assays are warranted. It seems unjustified to advocate algae and other plant foods as a safe source of vitamin B-l2 because its bioavailability is questionable. Am J Clin

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