Vitamin B12 Status in Hong Kong Middle Aged and Older Adults Living in the Community

Background/Aims: Low vitamin B12 status is associated with various health outcomes including neurological and hematological conditions. This study examined the effect of fortified milk supplementation as part of lifestyle intervention program on vitamin B12 status of community-dwelling Hong Kong adults aged 50 and above. Methods: One hundred and eighty subjects were randomized into intervention or control group. The intervention group received two servings of milk daily in addition to their usual diet and was engaged in an exercise program twice per week for 24 weeks. The control group maintained their usual dietary habits and physical activities. Serum vitamin B12 was measured at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks using chemiluminescent immunoassay. Results: The groups had adequate vitamin B12 status at baseline but serum vitamin B12 level increased significantly from baseline to 24 weeks in the intervention group while it did not change significantly in the control group. Mean vitamin B12 level (pmol/l) was 345.3 + 118.9 at baseline and 483.5 + 136.1 at 24 weeks for the intervention group whereas the corresponding values were 342.6 + 140.1 and 357.1 + 134.4 for the control group (ptime*group