Vitamin B12 deficiency can have a number of possible causes. Typically it occurs in people whose digestive systems do not adequately absorb the vitamin from the foods they eat. This can be caused by:
- Pernicious anemia, a condition in which there is a lack of a protein called intrinsic factor. The protein, which is made in the stomach, is necessary for vitamin B12 absorption.
- Atrophic gastritis, a thinning of the stomach lining that affects up to 30% of people aged 50 and older.
- Surgery in which part of the stomach and/or small intestine is removed.
- Conditions affecting the small intestine, such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, bacterial growth, or a parasite.
- Excessive alcohol consumption.
- Autoimmune disorders, such as Graves' disease or systemic lupus erythematosus
- Long-term use of acid-reducing drugs.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
- weakness, tiredness or light-headedness
- rapid heartbeat and breathing
- pale skin
- sore tongue
- easy bruising or bleeding, including bleeding gums
- stomach upset and weight loss
- diarrhea or constipation
- tingling or numbness in fingers and toes
- difficulty walking
- mood changes or depression
- memory loss, disorientation, and dementia
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also occur in vegetarians, because the best food sources of the vitamin are animal products. Strict vegans (people who don't eat any animal products, including meat, eggs, or milk) are at greatest risk. Vegetarians who eat eggs and milk products are also at risk, because, on average, they consume less than half the adult Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin B12.
A deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. A mild deficiency may cause only mild, if any, symptoms. But as the anemia worsens it may causes symptoms such as:
- weakness, tiredness or light-headedness
- rapid heartbeat and breathing
- pale skin
- sore tongue
- easy bruising or bleeding, including bleeding gums
- stomach upset and weight loss
- diarrhea or constipation
If the deficiency is not corrected, it can damage the nerve cells. If this happens, vitamin B12 deficiency effects may include:
- tingling or numbness in fingers and toes
- difficulty walking
- mood changes or depression
- memory loss, disorientation and dementia
Symptoms of bone pain and muscle weakness can mean you have a vitamin D deficiency. However, for many people, the symptoms are subtle. Yet even without symptoms, too little vitamin D can pose health risks. Low blood levels of the vitamin have been associated with the following:
- Increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease
- Cognitive impairment in older adults
- Severe asthma in children
- Cancer
Research suggests that vitamin D could play a role in the prevention and treatment of a number of different conditions, including type 1 (childhood onset) and type 2 (adult onset) diabetes,hypertension, glucose intolerance, and multiple sclerosis.
Be sure to have those vitamin levels checked, stay healthy and keep up the good work.
And the journey continues....
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