Comparison of the effects of food and carbachol on the absorption of vitamin B 12 after partial gastrectomy.

Absorption of radioactive vitamin B(12) was measured by the Schilling procedure in 14 patients who had had a partial gastrectomy. Injection of carbachol (250 mug) before the administration of the test dose increased absorption to a much smaller degree than the ingestion of a light meal containing a minimal quantity of the natural vitamin. The results support the belief that food may improve absorption of vitamin B(12) after partial gastrectomy by stimulating the secretion of a small residual amount of intrinsic factor.