Multiple choice

Malabsorption of what vitamin can be caused by reduced HCl production in the stomach?

  1. vitamin B-6

  2. vitamin B-12

  3. folate

  4. iron
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach is necessary to cleave vitamin B-12 from its bound food proteins, allowing it to bind to intrinsic factor for absorption. A reduction in HCl production, common in older adults, directly impairs this process and leads to vitamin B-12 malabsorption.

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