Posted Dec 11, 2011
Every red-blooded American – and people from other countries, too – needs to be properly dosed with vitamin B-12, in large part to hasten red blood cell formation. But there’s so much more to know about B-12. Take our quiz to find out.
1. Which of the following does B-12 not positively contribute to?
a) Neurological function
b) Reduced kidney CK levels
c) DNA synthesis
2. According to the Mayo Clinic newsletter, a normal body will store how much B-12 in the liver?
a) “Two days’ worth”
b) “A few weeks’ worth”
c) “Several years’ worth”
3. Which serving of the following does not provide 100 percent of the daily value (listed at 6 micrograms) for B-12?
a) 3 ounces of fried clams
b) 3-ounce top sirloin steak
c) “Fortified” breakfast cereal
4. Those who are anemic have difficulty absorbing B-12 from the intestinal tract. Which population is not at special risk for being B-12 deficient?
a) Elderly
b) Vegetarians
c) Endurance athletes
5. In healthy people, how much of a 500-microgram oral supplement is actually absorbed by the body?
a) 6 mcg
b) 10 mcg
c) 50 mcg
ANSWERS: 1: b; 2: c; 3: b; 4: c; 5: b.
Sources: National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements (http://ods.od.nih.gov); Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.com).