Vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a number of health problems, including fatigue, anemia, and neurological problems. Vitamin B12 is found in animal products, so people who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet are at risk of deficiency. The elderly and people with gastrointestinal disorders are also at increased risk. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can be severe, so it's important to consult a doctor if you suspect a deficiency. Treatment usually involves taking supplements or getting vitamin B12 injections. With treatment, most people can achieve normal vitamin B12 levels and improve their overall health.
Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms
What are the symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency? As discussed, the symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency can vary widely and significantly impact a person's life. The most common symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency are:
- Fatigue
- Weak feeling
- To look pale
- Dizziness
- Decreased appetite
- Sensitive and painful mouth
- Weight loss
- Intestinal problems
- Tingling
- Burning sensation in limbs
- Pain in the nerves
- Concentration problems
- Memory problems
- Reduced motor skills
- Decreased sense of smell and taste
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Emotional imbalance
- Muscle pain
- Reduced pain threshold
- Nausea
- Disrupted menstrual cycle
- Pain in joints
- Tinnitus
- Hair loss
- Impotence
- Constant headache
- Sweating
- Heart palpitations
- Balance disorders
Vitamin B12 deficiency cause
What can cause B12 deficiency? Besides the various symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, there are also several associated causes. The most common causes of a deficiency are discussed.
Vegan/vegetarian diet
Vitamin B12 is mainly found in animal products, such as meat, fish, dairy products, and eggs. People who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet are therefore at increased risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, as they have a reduced intake of the nutrient.
Consuming too much alcohol
In addition, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a deficiency. This is because the digestive system cannot properly absorb the vitamin when consuming alcohol.
Bowel disease
A bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease, can also cause reduced absorption of the nutrient in the body.
Inflammation of the stomach lining
In addition, (chronic) inflammation of the stomach lining causes a vitamin B12 deficiency. This inflammation causes the stomach to produce less stomach acid, which is essential for vitamin B12 absorption.
Medication use
Long-term use of certain medications also reduces nutrient absorption. This includes certain types of antacids and diabetes medications.
Use of nitrous oxide
Finally, excessive use of nitrous oxide causes a vitamin B12 deficiency. The nitrous oxide prevents the nutrient from working.
Vitamin B12 deficiency treatment
Treating a vitamin B12 deficiency involves increasing your intake of the nutrient. This can be achieved through consuming foods high in vitamin B12, supplements, or an injection.
Vitamin B12 supplements
The most common and easiest way to replenish the deficiency is with a vitamin B12 supplement . It's important that the supplement is a lozenge, as this allows the nutrients to be better absorbed into the bloodstream. A dosage of 1000 mg per lozenge is recommended for optimal effect.
Vitamin B12 injection
Besides supplementing the daily dose, a vitamin B12 injection can also be used. This injection should be administered every three days for five weeks, after which the dosage can be reduced.
What should you eat if you have a B12 deficiency?
Vitamin B12 is found in animal products such as milk, dairy products, meat, meat products, fish, and eggs. It's also found in plant products, such as dried seaweed and algae. However, many of these are inactive forms that are not well absorbed by the body.
