Anyone can be deficient in vitamin B12, but the risk is higher if you have digestive disorders such as celiac or Crohn's disease, and pernicious anemia (an autoimmune disease that prevents the body to make intrinsic factor needed to absorb vitamin B12). Vegetarians are also at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, because this vitamin is naturally only be obtained from the animal.
Drugs used to treat heartburn, reflux (GERD), and gastric ulcer disease, such as histamine H2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors can slow or prevent the release of acid in the stomach, thereby disrupting the body's ability to absorb vitamin B12 from the food. In addition, metformin, a drug used to treat diabetes, also can reduce the absorption of B12. To find out if your body is deficient in vitamin B12 or not, you can do a blood test.
There are a number of causes of vitamin B12 deficiency. For example, due to a lack of vitamin intake through food. The amount of food ingested a little, or not meet the standards set. It can happen to those who are "allergic" animal foods, which incidentally is the source of cobalamin (another name for vitamin B12).
Nearly one-third of vegetarian over the age of 60 years no longer able to absorb vitamin B12 when they eat meat and dairy products. This is because their stomachs, not producing enough stomach acid, the material breaking foodstuffs that vitamin B12 can be stored in the body (liver and kidney) until required again. Without stomach acid, people who eat menu with B12 in sufficient quantities can have deficiencies.
Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms
Vitamin B12 deficiency is characterized by megaloblastic anemia (red blood cells swell), fatigue / weakness (pain / weakness in the muscles of the arms and legs), constipation, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Neurological changes, such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, can also occur. Additional symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include difficulty maintaining balance, depression, confusion, dementia, memory weakness, and pain in the mouth or tongue. In childhood, signs of vitamin B12 deficiency include stunted growth, movement disorders, developmental delays, and megaloblastic anemia.
Cases are most easily found for patients with vitamin B12 deficiency is, pernicious anemia. Namely, anemia is caused by cobalamin deficiency. To the level of vitamin B12 deficiency are lighter, can be found some of the following symptoms:
- Heart rate and breathing faster than normal
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Pale skin
- Tongue tasted bitter
- Easy bruising and bleeding
- Abdominal pain and weight loss
- Diarrhea or constipation
If found some symptoms as above, please contact medical personnel to perform a blood test to find whether there is a deficiency of vitamin B12 in the body. If it turns out positive experience mild deficiency of vitamin B12, found in advance, whether the cause of the cobalamin deficiency. If due to less body can absorb vitamin B12, then the doctor will give injections or other forms of vitamin B12 supplements to replace a failed cobalamin is absorbed by the body.
As for the deficiency caused by a specific diet, for example, for vegetarians, then this can be overcome by taking vitamin B complex tablets containing vitamin B12 in a safe dose. Methods as simple as it can help overcome the deficiency disorders and prevent permanent damage to the nervous system and brain.
As for the deficiency caused by a specific diet, for example, for vegetarians, then this can be overcome by taking vitamin B complex tablets containing vitamin B12 in a safe dose. Methods as simple as it can help overcome the deficiency disorders and prevent permanent damage to the nervous system and brain.
In case of severe vitamin B12 deficiency, patients may experience:
- Confusion, hallucinations and depression
- Difficulty walking (loss of balance)
- Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
- Incontinence (unable to control bladder)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Impaired vision
- Dementia
- Psychosis (abnormal condition of the mind).
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also increase the risk of infertility and few linkages with increased risk of cancer.
Preventing and Overcoming Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Keep in mind that vitamin B12 needs vary depending on age. Aged 0 to 3 years require 400-900 nanograms of vitamin B12 every day. Ages 4 to 13 years require 1.2 to 2.4 mcg of vitamin B12 per day. Age 14 years and above requires 2.4 to 2.8 mcg of vitamin B12 per day. Preventing course with vitamin B12 foods, especially meat better. Meat animal protein, such as fish meat can you eat if you are blocked with beef, or goat to avoid high cholesterol and high blood pressure. If you are also able to also meet the needs of vitamin B12 in meat, you can consume fermented vegetables such as tofu or tempeh.
In addition, eating processed foods seaweed, algae in the form of gelatinous or jelly can also help you meet the needs of vitamin B12. Avoid becoming a vegetarian. Intake of vitamin B12 deficiency, because of too much eating vegetables without being followed by the need of vitamin B12 from animal sources, likened you invite disease caused by deficiency of vitamin B12. Prevent also deficient in vitamin B12, by taking a multivitamin or consult a doctor for proper vitamin supplements.
