Detailed intake data on vitamin B12 in European countries are scarce.
In the Netherlands, average intakes of 4.9 and 3.9 micrograms (mcg) per day were reported for adult men and women respectively (28), while data from the U.K. indicate a mean vitamin B12 intake from all sources (food and supplements) of 7.3 and 5.4 mcg/day for men and wome respectively (29).
In the U.S., the average intake of vitamin B12 is about 4.5 micrograms (mcg)/day for young adult men and 3 micrograms/day for young adult women. Vitamin B12 deficiency is estimated to affect 10–15% of individuals over the age of 60 (30).
In Bhaktapur, Nepal, dietary intake recalls showed 84% of non-pregnant women of reproductive age had estimated average intakes of less than 2 µg/day; Cobalamin intake was 0.34 µg (46).
Authored by Dr Peter Engel in 2010, reviewed and revised by Angelika Friedel on 29.06.2017
