What is vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is very important for overall wellness: it helps
maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells, and is also needed to make
DNA and aid in growth and development – especially in children. It is found
primarily in meat, eggs and dairy products, whereas plants do not contain
vitamin B12. Although the minimum requirement for vitamin B12 is quite small, a
deficiency can be a very serious problem.
When is a deficiency likely to occur?
Vitamin B12 deficiency may occur as a result of an inability
to absorb B12 from food. It can also occur in individuals that exclude animal
foods from their diets. Generally, most individuals who develop a deficiency
have an underlying stomach or intestinal disorder that limits the absorption of
vitamin B12. A deficiency will result in anemia, and if prolonged, can lead to
nerve degeneration and irreversible neurological damage. Severe Deficiency can
also cause dementia and is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Early
detection and treatment (usually with vitamin B12 injections) can reverse
symptoms of deficiency. Always consult your physician for treatment.
What are the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency?
Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, nausea, breathlessness,
poor resistance to infection, loss of appetite and weight loss. Prolonged deficiency can also lead to neurological
changes such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.
Who may need a vitamin B12 supplement to prevent a
deficiency?
-
Individuals with
pernicious anemia
-
Individuals with gastrointestinal disorders
-
Elderly
Individuals
-
Vegetarians
What blood tests are available to determine Vitamin B12
deficiency?
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Vitamin B12 levels
-
Intrinsic Factor
Blocking Antibodies
-
Parietal Cell
Antibodies
What food is recommended in case of Vitamin B12 deficiency?