Vitamin B12 is involved in the breakdown of a protein called homocysteine. High homocysteine levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke as it may promote the formation of blood clots and excess free radical cells, and may impair normal blood vessel function.
Reducing the threat of blood clots
Vitamin B12 and folic acid help break down a protein called homocysteine that may cause blood clots and increase a person's risk for heart disease and stroke.
The other consequence is called oxidative damage, which injures the blood vessels, making them more likely to catch sticky material and blood, leading to blood clots and predisposing to bleeding. Therefore, vitamin B12 deficiency can be the culprit in a cascade of stroke-inducing physiological events.
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.
No interactions were found between Vitamin B12 and warfarin. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication: a certain eye disease (Leber's optic neuropathy), a certain blood disorder (polycythemia vera), gout, iron or folic acid deficiency anemia, low potassium blood levels (hypokalemia).
Dosages for Older People
By taking supplements, you will ensure that your body absorbs vitamin B12. Additionally, there is no way that you will overdose on B12, so don't worry about taking too much.
Your body can usually get rid of excess vitamin B12 through your urine. In rare cases, high doses of vitamin B12 injections have been associated with skin reactions. This isn't the case for oral vitamin B12 dietary supplements.
In diabetes patients with advanced kidney disease, high daily doses of B vitamins (folate, B6 and B12) were found in one study to worsen kidney function and double the risk of heart attack stroke and death (see the Cautions section of the B Vitamins Review for more information).
Vitamin K helps to make various proteins that are needed for blood clotting and the building of bones. Prothrombin is a vitamin K-dependent protein directly involved with blood clotting.
Vitamin K is a substance that our body needs to form clots and to stop bleeding. We get vitamin K from the food we eat. Some vitamin K is also made by the good bacteria that live in our intestines.
Protein C deficiency is a disorder that increases the risk of developing abnormal blood clots; the condition can be mild or severe. Individuals with mild protein C deficiency are at risk of a type of blood clot known as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps keep your body's blood and nerve cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells. Vitamin B12 also helps prevent megaloblastic anemia, a blood condition that makes people tired and weak.
Healthcare professionals have not identified an upper limit blood level of vitamin B-12. The body will typically excrete excess vitamin B-12 that a person gets from the diet or via supplements. The body does not absorb vitamin B-12 supplements very effectively.
Stores of vitamin B12 in the body can last around 2 to 5 years without being replenished, so it can take a long time for any problems to develop after a dietary change.
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].
You can get vitamin B12 through food sources like red meat, chicken, eggs, and dairy, but many seniors are deficient due to a poor diet, medications, or the simple effects of aging. The recommended vitamin B12 dosage is 2.5 mcg.
Interactions between your drugs. No interactions were found between Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D3. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Foods for vitamin B12 deficiency
“Most people can prevent B complex deficiency by eating enough meat, seafood, dairy products, yogurt, cheese, tofu, coconut, cereals, soy, and eggs. It's also available in small amounts in bananas, apples, berries, nuts and seeds,” Shah told Health Shots.
Furthermore, caffeine interferes with the metabolism of certain B vitamins, including thiamine. However, because caffeine increases stomach acid secretion, it actually boosts the absorption of vitamin B12.
Moreover, a higher plasma homocysteine level has been linked with higher blood pressure. Dietary intake of vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid has been reported to reduce the plasma homocysteine level. These vitamins may have an influence on blood pressure levels by mediating the effects on the homocysteine level.