Which group might need to take vitamin B-12 supplements?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Vitamin B12 is naturally present almost exclusively in animal-derived foods (meat, fish, eggs, dairy); plants do not reliably supply active B12. Therefore people who avoid animal products are at risk of inadequate intake and commonly need supplements or fortified foods.

Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Dietary source: vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is found mainly in animal foods; reliable plant sources are lacking unless fortified.
- Absorption: B12 requires stomach acid and intrinsic factor for absorption; some medical conditions and age-related stomach changes can impair absorption even with adequate intake.
- Deficiency consequences: megaloblastic anemia and neurological symptoms (numbness, cognitive changes) can result from prolonged deficiency.
- At-risk groups: strict vegetarians/vegans (low dietary intake) and older adults or people with malabsorption (e.g., pernicious anemia, gastric surgery) are common candidates for supplements.

Step-by-step reasoning
1. Examine each option relative to the primary risk mechanism (low dietary intake of B12):
   - Vegetarians (especially vegans) typically eliminate the primary dietary sources of B12 and therefore often have inadequate intake unless they consume fortified foods or supplements.
2. Consider absorption-based risks:
   - Older adults (commonly >60) or those with certain GI conditions may require supplements due to poor absorption, but the answer choice specifies women aged 50–60, an age range not universally associated with clinically significant absorption decline.
3. Evaluate the remaining groups:
   - Cancer patients: some may develop deficiencies if treatments or appetite changes reduce intake, but cancer per se is not a primary, general reason all cancer patients need B12 supplements.
   - People with Alzheimer’s disease: Alzheimer’s is not itself an indication for routine B12 supplementation unless testing shows deficiency.

Why the correct answer is correct
Vegetarians, and especially vegans, routinely risk low or absent dietary B12 and are commonly recommended to take B12 supplements or eat fortified foods to prevent deficiency. This directly matches the mechanism (insufficient intake).

Why other options are incorrect
- a. Cancer patients: not universally indicated; supplementation only if deficiency or poor intake is documented.
- c. People with Alzheimer’s disease: Alzheimer’s is not a direct indication for B12 supplementation absent documented deficiency.
- d. Women 50–60: age-related absorption problems more commonly affect older adults (generally >60); being 50–60 alone is not a general indication.

Conclusion
Therefore the correct choice is b. Vegetarians, which matches the provided answer.

Which group might need to take vitamin B-12 supplements?Single choice

Similar Questions

What is a possible reason people would take dietary supplements?

Which group is most likely to need certain dietary supplements?

Which diet is an example of a raw food diet?

Which of the following is found in a higher quantity in refined compared to whole grains?

Which one of the following is a serve of fruit in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating?[Fill in the blank]

The energy content for 100ml of a standard infant formula made according to directions is:[Fill in the blank]

What is the difference between Foundation Diets and Total Diets?[Fill in the blank]

Which nutrient is essential for maintaining healthy skin and hair?

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler