A Doctor Suspects the Numbness in John's Hands Is Because

A doctor suspects the numbness in John's hands is because he is not producing enough hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor. The doctor encourages John to eat more foods containing vitamin B₁₂. Why is this advice unlikely to alleviate John's symptoms?

A) John can absorb vitamin B₁₂ from foods despite his lack of intrinsic factor.
B) Intrinsic factor is not associated with vitamin B₁₂ and eating more foods containing the vitamin would have no effect on John's health.
C) It is improbable that a lack of hydrochloric acid production and intrinsic factor are associated with the numbness that John is experiencing.
D) Because John has no intrinsic factor, he cannot efficiently utilize vitamin B₁₂ from natural sources.