The Vitamin B Breakdown: Part 1

Everything you need to know about Vitamin B from health to athletic performance

How common is a vitamin B deficiency?

An adequate supply of each vitamin B is necessary for the proper functioning of the energy production system, but each vitamin B has different pathways involved in energy metabolism. A shortage of any of these vitamins can limit the rate of energy production and can have serious metabolic and health consequences. Thus, getting an adequate supply of all of the B vitamins is important.

However, there are certain B vitamins in which we are more likely to be deficient. A recent study on Vitamin B12 deficiency showed a widespread prevalence of subclinical and clinical deficiency across various populations. For instance:

· Up to 40% of western populations experience low or marginal Vitamin B12 status without classic deficiency symptoms

· 3.6% of adults aged 19 and older have clinical Vitamin B12 deficiency (defined by serum levels below 148 pmol/L)

· 12.5% of adults show Vitamin B12 insufficiency with serum levels below 221 pmol/L

· B12 specifically is lost at a rate of 1.4-5.1 mcg/day