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Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the correlates of vitamin B12 deficiency and elevated homocysteine (tHcy) in Older Americans Nutrition Programs in northeast Georgia and to examine the effects of crystalline B12 in B12 deficient elders and in B12 adequate elders. An intervention trial was performed in which vitamin B12 deficient participants received 1,000 g/d vitamin B12 and B12 adequate participants were randomized to receive 0, 25, or 100 g/d vitamin B12. Participants included 149 men and women receiving congregate meals through Older Americans Nutrition Programs in northeast Georgia. Vitamin B12 supplementation improved biochemical indices but did not consistently effect clinical outcomes. In conclusion, high dose oral B12 improves biochemical status in B12 deficient older adults and low dose oral B12 improves biochemical status in B12 adequate older adults. Clinical manifestations such as depression and poor orientation-memory-concentration were not consistently affected by B12 supplementation in this study.