A Bit More B

Does your daily supplement contain B12? If not, your bones may be at risk. A recent study indicated many older people may not be getting enough B12 in their diets because they tend to have more trouble absorbing the nutrient compared to younger people. However, vitamin B12 appears to play a crucial role in bone health, research shows. Try to get at least 800 micrograms per day.

Food sources of vitamin B12 include salmon, tuna, enriched bran flakes, yogurt, and eggs. However, it's difficult to get the Optimum dose of B12 (800 micrograms per day) from food sources alone. Half a cup of salmon contains about 6 micrograms. Half a cup of tuna contains about 3 micrograms. A serving of yogurt or bran flakes will contain between 1 and 1.5 micrograms each. Eggs contain about half a microgram each.