Today's Health Topic

Vitamin B12 deficiency -- Are you at risk?

What harm can having too little of a vitamin do? A severe vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to deep depression, paranoia and delusions, memory loss, incontinence, loss of taste and smell, and more. The human body needs vitamin B12 to make red blood cells, nerves, and DNA, and to carry out other functions. The average adult should get 2.4 micrograms a day. Like most vitamins, B12 can't be made by the body. Instead, it must be gotten from food or supplements. And therein lies the problem: Some people don't consume enough vitamin B12 to meet their needs, while others can't absorb enough, no matter how much they take in. As a result, vitamin B12 deficiency is relatively common, especially among older people.

Do you know the signs? »

Making Sense of Vitamins and Minerals

Featured content:

•	Vitamins and minerals: The basics
•	Federal guidelines
•	Making sense of scientific studies
•	Cast of characters: From vitamin A to zinc
•	SPECIAL BONUS SECTION: Does your diet deliver the daily recommended dose?
•	... and more!