It appears that at least 70 percent of the vitamin B12 in food is absorb able (providing, of course, that the body secretes the substances necessary for the absorption process) Moreover, as with iron, the body can absorb storage vitamin B12 on an as needed basis; vitamin B12 stored in the liver is released in bile for reapportion by body when dietary intake falls or during times of increased demand for the vitamin (e.g. during pregnancy). Again, this presupposes that the body is capable of absorbing the vitamin (i.e., that you don’t have pernicious anemia or another disorder that causes absorption).
There is some evidence that taking mega doses of 500 mg of vitamin C daily may adversely affect the availability of vitamin B12 from health food, and that taking 1 g of vitamin C with each meal may destroy vitamin B12 and create deficiency anemia. It is never advisable to take mega doses of any nutrient, unless prescribed by your physician for medicinal reasons. If you are taking mega doses of vitamin C have your blood checked regularly for evidence of vitamin B12 deficiency.
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