Do you get enough vitamin B12? You will want to make sure that you do, in order to stay healthy. Vitamin B12 does a lot of things for your body. It helps make your DNA and your red blood cells, for example. Since your body does not make vitamin B12, you have to get it from animal-based foods or from supplements. And you should do that on a regular basis, because your body does not store vitamin B12 for a long time. How Much to Get? The answer depends on things including your age, your eating habits and medical conditions, and what medications you take.
It plays an essential role in the production of your red blood cells and DNA, as well as the proper functioning of your nervous system. Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal foods, including meats, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy. However, it can also be found in products fortified with B12, such as some varieties of bread and plant-based milk. Unfortunately, B12 deficiency is common, especially in the elderly. You’re at risk of deficiency if you don’t get enough from your diet or aren’t able to absorb enough from the food you eat. People at risk of a B12 deficiency include

• The elderly.
• Those who’ve had surgery that removes the part of the bowel that absorbs B12.
• People on the drug metformin for diabetes.
• People following a strict vegan diet.
• Those taking long-term antacid drugs for heartburn.

Unfortunately, symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency can take years to show up, and diagnosing it can be complex. A B12 deficiency can sometimes be mistaken for a folate deficiency.
Low levels of B12 cause your folate levels to drop. However, if you have a B12 deficiency, correcting low folate levels may simply mask the deficiency and fail to fix the underlying problem.