National, 12 March 2025: MediBuddy, India’s largest digital healthcare company, released a study highlighting nutrient deficiencies among Indian corporate professionals aged 40–50. The study, which analysed data from around 4,400 individuals (3,338 men and 1,059 women) in the age group, brings to the fore the urgent need for targeted health interventions and preventive care strategies,
particularly for men who exhibit a higher prevalence of key deficiency.
The study, conducted on a dataset of urban corporate employees, found that vitamin B12 deficiency, crucial for neurological function and energy metabolism, was significantly higher among men, with 57.16% showing insufficient or deficient levels. Meanwhile, 49.9% of women also exhibited deficiencies, emphasising the importance of dietary adjustments and supplementation for overall well-being.
Contrary to the common belief that urban men have an adequate diet, the study suggests that poor gut absorption, dietary choices, and a predominantly vegetarian diet could be contributing factors to this widespread deficiency. Several underlying reasons may explain this trend:
- Poor Absorption: Even in individuals consuming B12-rich foods, malabsorption issues such as suboptimal stomach acid production (common with age), gastrointestinal disorders, or long-term use of medications like antacids and metformin can hinder effective B12 absorption. Another big issue is gut microbiome imbalance causing poor absorption.
- Dietary Choices: Corporate professionals, particularly vegetarians or vegans, are at a higher risk of deficiency since natural sources of B12 are primarily found in animal-based foods (meat, fish, dairy, and eggs). Even those consuming dairy and eggs may still struggle to meet their daily requirements without fortified foods or supplementation.
- Sedentary Lifestyles & Metabolic Stress: High-pressure corporate jobs often lead to erratic eating habits, increased alcohol consumption, nicotine use and stress, which can further deplete B12 levels.