부산대학교 도서관

Background: Dietary vitamin B12(B12) deficiency is common in Indians. Long-term compliance to tablet supplementation is poor in asymptomatic individuals.Objective: To study efficacy of B12fortified nutrient bar and yogurt in improving plasma B12concentrations in children and adults.Methods: Two double-blind, placebo-controlled directly observed therapy randomized controlled trials were conducted for 120 days: (1) Healthy children (10-13 years) were fed nutrient bar fortified with B12(2 μg), multiple micronutrients B12(1.8 μg) or placebo. (2) Healthy adults (18-50 years) were fed yogurt fortified with B12(2 μg) or Propionibacterium(1 × 108cfu/g) or placebo. B12, folate, homocysteine, and hemoglobin concentrations were measured before and post intervention.Results: We randomized 164 children and 118 adults; adherence was 96% and 82%, respectively. In children, B12fortified bars increased B12concentrations significantly above baseline (B12alone +91 pmol/L, B12+ multiple micronutrients +82 pmol/L) compared to placebo. In adults, B12fortified yogurt increased B12significantly (+38 pmol/L) but Propionibacteriumand placebo did not. In both trials, homocysteine fell significantly with B12supplementation. Rise of B12and fall of homocysteine were influenced by dose of B12and folic acid. There was no significant difference in change of anthropometry and hemoglobin between groups.Conclusions: B12fortified foods are effective in improving B12status in Indian children and adults. They could be used to improve B12status in the national programs for children, adolescents, and women of reproductive age. They could also be used as over-the-counter products.