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Indians are popping Vitamin B12 supplements like never before, a recent data from clinical research agency IQVIA suggests. The findings, in a way, also indicate the growing awareness among people about the pitfalls of Vitamin B12 deficiency.
A recent test conducted by Pathkind Labs revealed that one out of four Indians screened suffered from Vitamin B12 deficiency. Some are even calling it a silent epidemic.
Pharma brands, meanwhile, are making most of it.
According to agency data, the moving annual turnover (MAT) for Vitamin B12 supplements segment for January 2020 was Rs 3021.8 crore, which rose to Rs 4024.4 crore in January 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7 per cent over the last five years.
Vitamin B12 supplements such as Nurokind (10.07 per cent), Bevon (11.94 per cent) and Supradyn (20.27 per cent) increased their MAT values with a double digit CAGR, over the five-year period.
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Vitamin B12 deficiency often goes unnoticed, unless someone goes for a test. It is crucial in keeping blood and nerve cells healthy and helps make DNA. One of the symptoms of B12 deficiency is fatigue.
The recent Pathkind Labs test results highlighted that approximately 25 per cent of the 95,550 people screened suffered from B12 deficiency, whereas another 16 per cent of the people screened exhibited elevated levels of Vitamin B12.
More men were found to be having a Vitamin B12 deficiency, at 29 per cent of total people screened, as compared to women at 21 per cent.
Furthermore, the test showed that people older than 75 years of age, those following a vegan diet or strict vegetarians, and people on alcohol abuse were more likely to show a Vitamin B12 deficiency.
