Vitamin B12 Deficiency
By: Paul FryattTotal Views: 149, Word Count: 589,
Vitamin B12 deficiency is defined as a lack of adequate amount of vitamin B12 in the body for optimal health. This is a common condition that can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency anemia called pernicious anemia. Causes of Vitamin B12 deficiencies are as follows:
Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
- Vitamin B12 occurs naturally in animal products like eggs, meat and milk. Insufficient dietary intake of vitamin B12 can cause deficiency.
- Sometimes, intrinsic factor deficiency results in selective impaired absorption of vitamin B12. This can take place in case of loss of gastric parietal cells due to chronic atrophic gastritis.
- Impaired absorption of vitamin B12 can also take place due to structural damage or wide surgical resection of the terminal ileum which is the main site of vitamin B12 absorption.
- Forms of achlorhydria can also result in B12 malabsorption from foods
- Surgical elimination of the small bowel results in inability to produce vitamin B12. This can be solved by taking regular injections of this vitamin.
- Celiac disease, also leads to impaired absorption of this vitamin B12
- Some bariatric surgical treatments, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery affects the absorption of vitamin B12.
- The diabetes medication may hold up with B12 dietary absorption in some cases.
- Along with this, chronic alcohol abuse can also cause vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Nitrous oxide abuse is also a reason of vitamin B12 deficiency
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
If Vitamin B12 deficiency is present in the body, one can have the following symptoms:
· Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Numbness in extremities
- Hallucinations
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Anemia
- Behavioral changes
- Poor nutrition throughout pregnancy
Studies show that B12 deficiency can also lead to destruction of nervous system, creating long term problems related to the body's capability to function.
Treatment of Vitamin B12
· Deficiency of vitamin B12 can be treated by using Vitamin B12 supplements as oral pill, liquid, or intranasal spray or by injection B12.
· These vitamin supplements are available in the form of adenosylcobalamin, cyanocobalamin, methylcobalamin, and hydroxocobalamin.
· Vitamin B12 can be given as subcutaneous injections of methylcobalamin, hydroxycobalamin, or cyanocobalamin.
Foods
So as to stay away from this deficiency, we should take food that is rich in vitamin B12. It comes from animals, fish and shellfish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products.
Eggs
Eggs are known to be a good B12 source. Along with this, lacto-ovo vegetarians normally get sufficient B12 through dairy products.
Following are the clamed sources of vitamin B12 which include barley grass and human intestinal bacteria which produces B12, but it cannot be absorbed from the colon.
Good Sources of Vitamin B12 are mentioned here with their content in µg vitamin B12/100g.
· Panfried beef liver : 83.1
· Simmered turkey giblets: 33.2
· Braunschweiger pork liver sausage: 20.1
· Raw pacific oysters: 16.0
· Cooked Alaska king crab : 11.5
· Raw clams: 11.3
· Simmered chicken giblets: 9.4
· Swiss cheese: 3.34
· Beef (uncooked sirloin):1.15
· Egg (raw, whole chicken's egg):0.89
· Whole cow's milk: 0.45
· Raw chicken breast: 0.20
So now we can keep away vitamin B12 deficiency by taking this source of food.
About the Author
Paul Fryatt, M.D. has been in this profession from last 24 years. He made great achievements in his profession. He made an initiative to open a Family Allergy Clinic in 1985 to help his patients who were not reacting to traditional allergy treatment programs. Moreover he has explored the treatment to overcome allergy symptoms to reclaim quality of life through his convenient, no-shots therapy.
Advice Rating: Not yet rated
Login to vote