A blood test for vitamin B12 may show a borderline result, which means you are deficient in this essential nutrient. This may be due to various reasons, including infection, autoimmune disease, or a weak stomach lining. In these cases, a doctor may recommend further testing or retesting. A low level of vitamin B12 can be a sign of pernicious anemia, which can be severe. Parasites, such as fish tapeworms, can also deplete this vitamin.
There are many reasons leading to vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) deficiency
What is Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)?
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient found naturally in various animal products. It is necessary to produce red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. It also helps the nervous system and brain function. A deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to anemia. Luckily, the condition is easy to diagnose and treat.
Some prescription drugs can interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12, including medicines that can cause diarrhea and vomiting. These medications include metformin, colchicine, and chloramphenicol. H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors may also interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12. A person taking these medications should speak with their doctor before taking any vitamin B12 supplements.
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is essential for producing red blood cells and DNA. It also helps the body convert carbohydrates into glucose. Vitamin B12 is naturally present in animal products, including fish, meat, and eggs, but it can also be added to foods. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and depression. In severe cases, vitamin B12 deficiency can cause mania, damage the nervous system, and result in memory loss. Vitamin B12 supplements may also help prevent heart disease.
The most accessible form of vitamin B12 to absorb is the crystalline form. This form is readily absorbed because it is not attached to protein and does not require gastric acid to digest it. B12 supplements and foods fortified with it can also be made with crystalline vitamin B12. Protein-bound forms may be difficult for some people to digest.
Health Benefits of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is vital for many bodily functions. It can help prevent or reduce the risk of significant congenital disabilities, support bone health, improve mood, and maintain healthy skin and hair. For these reasons, getting enough Vitamin B12 through diet is crucial. But if you're not getting enough through food, vitamin B12 supplements are a convenient way to increase your intake of this vitamin.
Vitamin B12 helps the body produce digestive enzymes, which are crucial for proper digestion. These enzymes break down the food you eat, improving your overall health. It also supports a healthy gut environment, helping to eliminate harmful bacteria. This helps prevent inflammatory bowel disease and digestive problems. Vitamin B12 can also help boost metabolism and improve weight loss.
People with low vitamin B12 may experience muscle weakness and fatigue. This vitamin also plays a vital role in converting amino acids into compounds needed to make DNA. DNA is the molecule in our cells that carries our genetic information. When levels of Vitamin B12 are too low, our DNA can become damaged, which increases the risk of certain diseases.
Vitamin B12 also plays a role in maintaining a healthy nervous system. It also helps your body build red blood cells and DNA. It also helps your body break down carbohydrates into glucose. In addition to its role in energy production, vitamin B12 helps your body maintain the health of your nerve cells, improves memory, and protects your nervous system. Studies have also shown that Vitamin B12 can reduce the risk of heart disease and dementia.
Side Effects
A rash is one of the most common side effects of vitamin B12 injections. If the rash is very noticeable and spreads quickly, it may indicate an allergic reaction and should be treated immediately. It is also important to note that the injection may not be suitable for people with liver or kidney disease or those with severe folic acid deficiency. In such cases, it is best to call for an emergency consultation.
While most vitamin B12 side effects are minor and will subside independently, some people may experience more severe consequences. However, these side effects are not life-threatening and usually go away after a few weeks or months of treatment. In case of persisting side effects, it is wise to consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Some individuals may experience gastrointestinal issues or headaches due to taking B12 supplements. Other common side effects are upset stomach, diarrhea, and indigestion. These go away on their own after a week, but extreme cases should be reported to a doctor immediately.
Signs of Deficiency
If you are a frequent sufferer of migraines or have pale skin, you could suffer from a Vitamin B12 deficiency. This vitamin is essential for producing red blood cells (RBCs), which carry oxygen throughout the body and help make energy. When B12 is deficient, the RBCs will be damaged and lead to anemia, which causes you to feel weak. It can also lead to a neurological condition called myelopathy, which involves the impairment of neurons in the part of the spinal cord. This condition causes muscles to weaken, and the individual may be unable to feel light touch or vibration.
Symptoms of a Vitamin B12 deficiency can occur gradually and may not appear immediately. Some of the most common B12 deficiency signs include a general feeling of fatigue, difficulty concentrating, numbness and tingling in the limbs, and a foggy brain. In rare cases, a person may also experience hallucinations.
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that your body uses to create healthy red blood cells. It is absorbed from a variety of foods through the intestines. A healthy liver can store several years' worth of vitamin B12. If you're lacking this vitamin, you should take a supplement or consume fortified foods. Some examples of foods fortified with vitamin B12 include meat substitutes and non-dairy milk.
A deficiency in Vitamin B12 can lead to severe neurologic damage. Symptoms of B12 deficiency can include fatigue, constipation, memory loss, and yellow skin. If left untreated, a deficiency can progress to irreversible damage. It may also lead to infertility and increase stomach cancer risk.
Nutrition Source of Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient, and the body cannot produce enough of it independently. It is found in animal products and supplements and is available in tablet, liquid, and pill forms. It is also found in multivitamins. A supplement can be an excellent way to get enough vitamin B12 in your diet without a high-calorie diet.
Insufficient absorption is a common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 requires stomach acid to be liberated appropriately from food. People who have low stomach acid may have trouble absorption of vitamin B12. Moreover, people who regularly take medications that suppress stomach acid may have trouble absorbing vitamin B12 from food. These include H2 blockers, proton-pump inhibitors, and antacids.
Vitamin B12 is best obtained from animal products, especially organ meats. For instance, 100g of lamb liver contains 3700% of the RDI for vitamin B12. Likewise, certain fish and shellfish are good sources of vitamin B12, as are whole eggs. Vegetarians, however, may need a supplement to get the necessary amounts.
- Beef liver, cooked, pan-fried, three ounces: 70.7μg - 2,944% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Clams (without shells), cooked, three ounces: 17μg - 708% of the DV
- Tuna, bluefin, cooked, dry heat, three ounces: 9.3μg - 385% of the DV
- Salmon, Atlantic, cooked, three ounces: 2.6μg - 108% of the DV
- Beef, ground, 85% lean meat/15% fat, pan-browned, three ounces: 2.4μg - 100% of the DV
- Milk, 2% milkfat, one cup: 1.3μg - 54% of the DV
- Yogurt, plain, fat-free, 6-ounce container: 1.0μg - 43% of the DV
- Breakfast cereals, fortified with 25% of the DV for vitamin B12, one serving: 0.6μg - 25% of the DV
- Cheese, cheddar, 1½ ounces: 0.5μg - 19% of the DV
- Egg, whole, cooked, one large: 0.5μg - 19% of the DV
- Turkey, breast meat, roasted, three ounces: 0.3μg - 14% of the DV
- Tempeh, 1/2 cup: 0.1μg - 3% of the DV
Takeaway
If you are concerned that you may be deficient in vitamin B12, your doctor suggests you consider taking higher doses. This vitamin is essential for the proper functioning of red blood cells and brain cells, and taking higher doses is not dangerous. However, it's vital to know that taking higher doses of vitamin B12 won't reduce your risk of dementia or cancer.
Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal products, so it is essential to eat plenty of it to avoid deficiency. However, vegetarians are also at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency because their blood levels of this nutrient are low. Therefore, vegetarians should make an effort to eat foods fortified with vitamin B12 or take supplements to supplement their diet. Also, pregnant women should consider taking B12 supplements to prevent deficiency, as the fetus needs this vitamin to develop neurologically. Without adequate vitamin B12 intake, the fetus may suffer irreversible damage.
The National Institutes of Health recommend that adults take 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 daily, but pregnant women or breastfeeding should aim for 2.8 micrograms daily. Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal foods, and fortified foods and nutritional yeasts can also be a good source.
