VITAMIN B₁₂ABSORPTION FROM THE GUT DOES NOT DECLINE WITH AGE IN NORMAL ELDERLY HUMANS

Abstract

In 37 elderly subjects undergoing measurement of whole body retention of 58Co-B12 at 7 and/or 14 days it was observed that significant (greater than 5%) retention of an inert non-absorbable marker (51CrCl3) occurred at 7 days in 23% of subjects and at 14 days in 8% of subjects. In view of the substantial retention of marker at 7 days it is suggested, therefore, that 14-day measurements of B12 retention are more appropriate than 7-day measurements in the elderly. Whole body retention of vitamin B12 at 14 days was measured in 51 healthy elderly subjects. Results obtained did not correlate with age, between 60 and 96 years, and were no different from results obtained from younger subjects in previously reported studies. It is concluded that vitamin B12 absorption, per se, does not decline with age.

Low B12 levels related to high activity of platelet MAO in patients with dementia disorders

“…The frequency of low S-B,, values in our patient material that had confusional states (50%) and SDAT (23%) was much higher than the prevalence in an unselected population of 75-year-old individuals (5o/o), found in a study performed in the same geographical area and using the same reference values as in our study (18). There are reports showing that there is no automatic decline in S-B,, levels with age (19)(20). The high frequency of low S-B,, levels in the groups of SDAT and confusional states (Fig.…”

Malabsorption of protein bound vitamin B12.

“…With this assay nearly all patients with pernicious anaemia show serum concentrations below 50 ng/l. Serum and erythrocyte folate concentrations were measured microbiologically with Lactobacillus casei (reference ranges: serum folate [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] ,ug/l, erythrocyte folate 160-600 ,ug/l). In selected patients gastric juice collected over one hour was analysed for acid and intrinsic factor after stimulation with pentagastrin.…”

Platelet MAO-B activity and vitamin B12 in old age dementias

“…This finding cannot be explained solely by the aging process, since vitamin B12 was only slightly related to age and also other reports have failed to show any age-dependent decline of serum vitamin B12 levels (Hitzhusen et al, 1986;McEvoy et al, 1982).…”