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Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 is not excreted in urine in comparison to other water-soluble vitamins. It could be five to six years before someone develops a deficiency of it because it is stored in body tissues such as liver and kidney, amongst others. It is generally accepted that it takes several years for what is stored in the body to become exhausted.
Listlessness, poor resistance to infection, pallor, tiredness, breathlessness, are all common symptoms of a B12 deficiency which can result in numbness and tingling of the hands and feet as well as blurred vision, sore tongue, poor concentration levels, lack of awareness of pain or pressure, disorders of menstruation, and abnormal gait..
.A deficiency of vitamin B12 is usually thought to be due to a lack of absorption of it which creates a situation where the stomach is unable to produce enough of (IF) a substance known as intrinsic factor which is needed for vitamin B12 to be absorbed. . A condition resulting from this is pernicious anaemia, an autoimmune dysfunction in which its own tissues are attacked by the body’s immune system. Vegetarians can find themselves at risk from deficiencies due to their diet, since the only confirmed source for vitamin B12 intake is the animal source.
The formation of red blood cells depends on Vitamin B12. If they are in short supply anaemia will develop. The deficiency can also affect the production of DNA which could result in megaloblasts, abnormal cells that cause megaloblastic anaemia. Neurological and psychological disorders are also connected to B12 deficiency because a shortage of cobalamin can cause cognitive decline, nerve degeneration, and neurological damage that cannot be put right especially in those over fifty. Women committed to strict vegetarian diets have only small reserves of vitamin B12 and breast fed babies if similarly affected and not detected can receive permanent, neurological damage. A vitamin B12 shortage can also cause depression, dementia and Alzheimer's disease in the adult population...
Other effects of the deficiency can be AIDS, tinnitus, asthma, multiple sclerosis, low
sperm count, and diabetic neuropathy, as well as .weakness of the muscles, ataxia which comprises unsteadiness and shaking, incontinence, hypotension, spasticity, vision problems, psychoses, and mood disturbances. All disorders recently connected with possible vitamin B12 deficiencies. Lower levels of vitamin B12 in the blood serum tend to be found in women with breast cancer.
There are various causes for vitamin B12 deficiency such as excess alcohol intake which can result in damage to the liver, stomach surgery due to removal of the stomach or part of it, or removal of the ileum which is part of the intestine and for poor pancreatic functioning. Helicobacter pylori a common cause of gastritis and ulcers can also cause vitamin B12 deficiency.
Only a tiny portion of the food we eat is comprised of vitamins, but a serious deficiency could result from a lack of such essential micronutrients in a person’s diet which if not dealt with could be life threatening...
Vitamin B12 Deficiency - 5 Warning Signs
Vitamin B12, cobalamin, is essential in the building of DNA and for the body’s genes is a key to their maintenance. On this premise it is a vital element in ensuring that the nervous system functions properly and a healthy haematological profile is maintained...
A stable diet of nourishing proportions is usually enough to prevent vitamin B12
deficiency. High protein foods such as dairy products, meat, eggs etc. contain the vitamin naturally. Also anyone taking regular multivitamins is not likely to need an extra vitamin B12 supplement, but it is important to make sure that the body is ingesting enough B12 because the vitamin is not easily stored by it.
A high incidence of B12 deficiency is found in certain groups. Those who completely avoid animal based foods can be affected, such as vegetarians or vegans. Children who are brought up on such diets absent of dairy products are especially likely to be affected by the low levels of the vitamin. A high percentage of the elderly are estimated to have some degree of B12 deficiency because as a person ages their ability to extract and absorb B12 from protein food sources is not as good Also they are more susceptible to have digestive problems due to problems of the stomach lining, or from surgery of a gastro intestinal nature. This kind of thing contributes to deficiency problems among this population, and finally alcohol and caffeine have been proved to decrease the body’s ability to absorb Vitamin B12.
For the sake of good health it is important to recognize the 5 warning signs of B12 deficiency.
Stomach pain or digestive issues
Fatigue and weakness
Loss of sensation or tingling in lower extremities
Impaired cognitive function or dementia
Depression, irritability or moodiness
Pernicious anaemia has stomach pain as one of its symptoms. The illness is a condition where the digestive system is hindered in the process of absorbing B12 by the immune system. This causes the premature death of red blood cells. Also the weakness and fatigue that relate to low levels of the vitamin are the result of anaemia...
The importance of B12 from a neurological point of view means that a deficiency can be involved in several issues of brain functioning as described in the last three warning signs described above.
Given the possibility of B12 deficiency in the over fifties, the symptoms of it, such as moodiness, irritability, and loss of cognitive function, are often blamed on age instead of lack of Vitamin B12 .The loss of mental functioning and dementia are some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, which means .that sometimes an unsuitable diet is not taken into account as a possible cause of mental deterioration It is on such occasions that a supplement of Vitamin B12 can provide a much less serious conclusion..
It is important to be aware that B6 and Folic Acid taken in coordination with B12 are more powerful than just B12 on its own as dependence on B12 also relies on these other substances to function properly. The three together are needed to keep homocysteine down to healthy levels in the blood... Several studies have shown that there is a greater chance of heart disease and stroke if there are increased levels of homocysteine. The risk of cardiovascular issues is that they convert homocysteine to methionine, an amino acid that cells use productively. Two other studies show that
vitamin B12 and folic acid have a role in reducing the number of abnormal, pre-cancerous bronchial cells in heavy smokers.
B12 used in a primary form as a nutritional supplement is cyanocobalamin, but it should be noted that the absorption of B12 is much higher when based on food as the source instead of supplements However in extreme cases of deficiency vitamin B12 is available on prescription by injection or nasal gel, though most supplementing is in the form of a multivitamin, either in pill form, sublingual tablet, or lozenge. 6 micrograms is recommended as a daily dosage of B12 although supplements can often supply as much as 30 mcg. There is a wide range of choices but the average healthy adults requires just 3mcg per day. Also B12 taken by mouth causes no problems for most people with no documented cases of toxicity or overdose from a supplement. Side effects from B12 are infrequent but if they appear they include rashes, hives, and itching. Anyone taking any of the following medications can be at risk of B12 deficiency because they have been found to delay absorption. Proton Pump Inhibitors Antibiotics, Cholestyramine, Metformin, H2 blockers, Metformin, and Potassium Chloride. On the other hand Calcium supplementation may also assist the body in its ability to absorb B12.
If you are exhibiting any warning signs or feel you might be at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, see your doctor straight away for more information. Aside from those with severe medical conditions, we can easily make sure we are getting the right quantity of nutrients essential for good health by taking a multivitamin that is well formulated...
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