Widespread vitamin B12 deficiency in India linked to vegetarian and vegan diets

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Hyderabad: The general population in the country is suffering from a severe deficiency of Vitamin B12, a vital micronutrient that keeps our nerves and blood cells healthy. The primary reason that is being increasingly given for this situation is the high prevalence of vegetarianism, veganism and limited consumption of animal products even among non-vegetarians.

Since B12 is sourced through yogurt/curd, eggs and meat and is unavailable in plant-based foods, the Hyderabad-based National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) has included Vitamin B12 as a nutrient of concern for vegetarians in its ‘Dietary Guidelines for Indians’.

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Multiple studies in India highlight the deficiency of Vitamin B12 among the general population. As the main source of Vitamin B12 is animal-based products, vegans are at a much higher risk of inadequate B12 levels. A review of these studies found that 65 percent of vegetarians had inadequate B12 levels.

A countrywide meta-analysis, titled ‘India’s Unseen Nutritional Emergency: A meta-analysis of Vitamin B12 deficiency’ and published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine (May, 2025), indicated that the prevalence of inadequate B12 levels in India was at 51 percent.

“Findings indicate that vegetarians have much lower serum vitamin B12 concentrations compared to non-vegetarians, which reflects the increased risk of deficiency associated with vegetarian-based diets. Such studies necessitate frequent screening, dietary counseling and potential supplementation among consumers of plant-based diets,” says public health specialist and senior neurologist from Hyderabad, Dr Sudhir Kumar.

Besides vegetarians, other population groups that suffer from severe B12 deficiency are pregnant women, children and adolescents and elderly.

The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) has indicated that 30.9 percent of adolescents between the age of 10 years and 19 years suffer from B12 deficiency. A meta-analysis of multiple Indian studies has reported that the prevalence of B12 deficiency is 67 percent among pregnant women.

· Vegetarians including vegans suffering from serious Vitamin B12 deficiency in India

· B12 can only be sourced from curd, yogurt, egg and flesh foods.

· Vitamin B12 not available in plant based food products.

· Vegetarians can consume dairy and eggs but B12 amounts in them are insufficient

· Vegans are severely deficient because they don’t consume meat, curd, dairy and eggs

· B12 is important for RBC formation, nerve function, brain health, DNA synthesis, body metabolism.