Question

Which is more common, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency?

1) Vitamin B12 deficiency
2) Folate deficiency
3) Cannot be determined
4) Other

Answer 1

Folate deficiency may be more commonly encountered due to poor dietary habits and the widespread lack of vegetables in diets, while vitamin B12 deficiency is especially a concern for those with specific health conditions or on vegan/vegetarian diets.

Step-by-step explanation:

When comparing vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies, it is important to note that both are essential nutrients that can lead to megaloblastic anemia if lacking in the diet. Vitamin B12 deficiency is often associated with an inability to absorb the vitamin, which can occur in certain medical conditions like pernicious anemia, Crohn's disease, and after some surgical procedures. However, folate deficiency can occur more commonly due to poor dietary habits, such as overcooking vegetables or not eating enough vegetables, and is especially critical during pregnancy to avoid neural tube defects like spina bifida.

While both deficiencies are a concern, the question of which is more common can be influenced by dietary patterns and specific health conditions. On the other hand, folate deficiency is often related to consuming insufficient vegetables or overcooking them, which destroys the nutrient.