In: Chemistry
Vitamin B12 deficiency affects about one-quarter of the U.S. population and is more common in the elderly. This deficiency is often undetected and can lead to devastating and irreversible complications. Should vitamin B12 be added to municipal drinking water? Why or why not?
No, vitamin B12 should not be added to municipal drinking water.
Only healthy individuals do not get affected by excess intake of vitaminB12, but not everybody.
Explanation:
The recommended daily allowance for vitamin B12 = 2.4 µg. But the excess intake of the same from food and supplements doesn't have any adverse effects in healthy individuals. This is stated by 'Institute of Medicine (IOM)'
Anyhow, Vitamin B12 has the potential to interact with certain medications. In addition, several types of medications might adversely affect vitamin B12 levels. For example, Chloramphenicol is a bacteriostatic antibiotic. It can interfere with the red blood cell response to supplemental vitamin B12 in some patients.
So, for those, who are taking medicines are not recommended to take excess vitamin B12 from municipal water.