B12 Levels in Skim Milk

Your body needs vitamin B-12 to produce red blood cells, synthesize DNA and maintain proper neurological function and a healthy central nervous system. Insufficient B-12 intake or absorption can cause vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia, or a lack of healthy red blood cells. Milk and other animal products provide good dietary sources of vitamin B-12.

B-12 in Skim Milk

Skim milk, a nonfat alternative to other milks, provides a good source of vitamin B-12. A 1-cup serving of skim milk provides 1.23 micrograms of vitamin B-12. This amount provides 20.5 percent of the FDA’s recommended Daily Value, or DV, of 6.0 micrograms of vitamin B-12.

Comparison

Vitamin B12 Deficiency & Numb Fingers

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Skim milk provides slightly more vitamin B-12 than whole milk and reduced-fat milk. A 1-cup serving of 1 percent milk provides 1.15 micrograms of vitamin B-12, and a 1-cup serving of whole milk provides only 1.10 micrograms. The B-12 in 1 percent milk and whole milk provides 19.2 and 18.3 percent, respectively, of the recommended DV for this vitamin.

Other B-12 Food Sources

Other good sources of B-12 include:

• chicken
  
• crab
  
• salmon
  
• sardines
  
• trout
  
• fortified breakfast cereals

If you are vegan, you can get vitamin B-12 from dietary supplements, yeasts or fortified foods 1. According to McKinley Health Center, the B-12 in fortified foods is made with the B-12 bacteria and not animal products.

B-12 Deficiency Symptoms

Signs & Symptoms of Vitamin B-12 & Vitamin D Deficiencies

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Vitamin B-12 deficiency, or a lack of healthy red blood cells, can lead to megaloblastic anemia with symptoms such as:

• weakness
  
• fatigue
  
• weight loss
  
• constipation
  
• sore tongue
  
• pale skin
  
• reduced appetite
  
• difficulty concentrating

Severe or prolonged B-12 deficiency may lead to neurological symptoms such as depression, confusion, loss of balance, memory problems and dementia. Prolonged B-12 deficiency can also cause nerve damage with symptoms such as tingling and numbness in hands and feet. Consult your doctor if you suspect you have vitamin B-12 deficiency. You may have an underlying health condition that hinders your body’s ability to absorb B-12 from food.