2015 Folate, Vitamin B12 and Inhibitors

• found in green, leafy vegetables, dried beans and peas, sunflower seeds and citrus fruits, as well as yeast, liver and kidney

• also found in fortified cereal products (breads, flours, corn meals, pastas, rice)

• absorbed from the small intestine

• a relatively small quantity is stored in the liver, and there is a high daily requirement à only ~ 1-6 month supply

VITAMIN B12

• original source is bacteria, but most is obtained from animal products or fortified foods in the diet where it is bound to proteins

• absorption requires acidic pH and intrinsic factor (which is made by the stomach)

• occurs via a specific transport system in the small intestine

• ~5 year supply is stored in the liver (so deficiency is rare, except in the elderly)

• Function
• Forms
• Absorption
• Transport
• Deficiency