B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 is an extremely crucial water soluble vitamin that is needed by the body. This vitamin is extremely important to maintain the health of insulation sheath surrounding the nerve cells. Since this vitamin is extremely important for production of the red blood cells, B12 deficiency can result in pernicious anemia which is characterized by production of large and immature red blood cells. Without healthy red blood cells the capacity of delivering oxygen as well as nutrients to the cells and tissues of the body is adversely affected.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is also associated with problems like asthma, depression, low sperm count, tinnitus, multiple sclerosis and diabetic neuropathy. Even though the amount of B12 needed by the body is very small this vitamin is not readily or easily absorbed and so large amounts of the vitamin is needed. Vitamin B12 is found in large amounts in Lamb .s liver, kidneys, eggs, cheese and some types of fish. Since Vitamin B12 is not found in vegetables and fruits long term vegetarians often tend to be B12 deficient.

Other sources of Vitamin B12 include lean red meats, brewer.s yeast, yogurt, fish, poultry etc. The Vitamin B12 deficiency may be due to inadequate intake of items rich in this vitamin. In some cases people suffer from deficiency of vitamin B12 as they have a condition in which the body is not able to absorb this vitamin from the ingested foods. If the deficiency of this vitamin is left untreated it can result in serious complications like growth abnormalities, nerve damage and anemia.

The symptoms underlying vitamin B12 deficiency may be vague and develop over a period of time. The symptoms of deficiency may also not be easily noticeable. The deficiency of this vitamin may affect the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal tract. In some cases the deficiency of this vitamin may cause problems like heart palpitations, chest pain, confusion, dementia, memory loss, constipation, depression, dizziness, fainting and problems in maintaining balance along with developmental delays.

Vitamin B12 deficiency may be caused by conditions like atrophic gastritis, crohn.s disease, celiac disease etc. To remove this deficiency the depleted stores of B12 are replaced. This can be done by getting B12 injections. In some cases oral therapy involving nasal spray can be prescribed through which Vitamin B12 can be administered. Alternatively eating greater amounts of fish, dairy products and red meat can also help in resolving this B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms may also include problems like fatigue and weakness, numbness in hands and feet, pale skin as well as jaundice, shortness of breath, weight loss and poor appetite. Vitamin B12 can be ingested in the form of B12 or multi vitamin pills. Many multi vitamin pills contain around 100 to 200 microgram in cyanocobalamin form of this vitamin. When 500 micrograms of cyanocobalamin is taken around 1.8 microgram is absorbed. Persistent deficiency of Vitamin B12 can have serious ramifications and result in complications like dementia, depression and increased risk of gastric cancer, growth and developmental problems and permanent nerve damage.