FACTS ON VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY

FACTS ON VITAMIN B12  DEFICIENCY



  • Vitamins are organic compounds needed for normal  function, growth and maintenance. there are two types of vitamins ( fat soluble & water soluble).

  • Water soluble vitamin B12, also known as cyanocobolamine, is transported via the blood, stored in small amounts, and eliminated from the body through urination.

  • The importance of vitamin B12 for healthy DNA synthesis is especially clear in tissues that are actively dividing, like the gastrointestinal tract and erythroid precursors. Once it has bonded with the intrinsic factor, it is absorbed from the distal ileum.

  • When DNA synthesis fails to occur during the development of red blood cells, cell growth without division continues, resulting in macrocytosis that is not functional and is referred to as megaloblastic anemia or macrocytic anemia. The most common cause of this problem with red blood cell DNA synthesis is a vitamin B12 and folic acid shortage because vitamin B12 is required as a co-factor for the conversion of dihydrofolic acid into the active form (folic acid), which is crucial for DNA synthesis. 

  • It has become obvious that treating vitamin B12 deficiency is crucial since folic acid alone won't be able to use all the vitamin B12 that is present in the tissues for creating red blood cells. So, the anaemia would be somewhat treated, but the symptoms of neurogenic disease would worsen. Additionally, a neural tube abnormality can arise from a folic acid shortage during pregnancy brought on by a vitamin B12 deficiency.

 Main uses of vitamin B12

  • Vitamin B12 is essential in formation of red blood cells
  • Helps in tissue growth and DNA replication.
  • Allows your body to use certain nutrients
  • Formation of neural myelin sheath
  • Preventing megaloblastic anemia
  • Preventing peripheral neuropathy and nerve damage.
  • Facilitates numerous chemical reactions

Causes of vitamin B12 deficiency: 

1.Insufficient dietary intake which can not met body’s requirements.
2. A lack of HCL, which is necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12, in the stomach secretions.
3. Atrophic gastritis plays an important role in deficiency of vitamin B12 . It may be  also difficult to absorb enough vitamin B12 due to certain stomach issues or stomach procedures. For instance, having a gastrectomy, an operation in which a portion of your stomach is removed, increases your risk of become vitamin B12 deficient.
4. Pernicious anemia , which hinders your body's ability to absorb vitamin B12.
5. Small intestinal disorders such Crohn's disease and if you regularly consume alcohols. 

6.It may become more difficult to absorb this vitamin as we age. so, elder people are mostly use vitamin B12 ampules for injection to get rapid absorption and avoid tingling and peripheral pain symptoms results from vitamin B 12 deficiency particularly in type 2 diabetes. 

 Main symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency

  1. General weakness & anemia.
  2. Muscle weakness, difficulties walking, and nerve issues including numbness or tingling
  3. Constipation, vomiting, appetite loss, or diarrhea.
  4. Burning Pain
  5. Peripheral tingling
  6. Imbalance
  7. pale skin 
  8. Short breath and heart flutters.                              

  Consequences of vitamin B 12 deficiency:

Improper treating of vitamin B12 can results in other sever symptoms including  the following 
1. Nerve damaged
2. Smooth tongue
3. Sensitive skin
4. Loss of memory
5. Exhaustion & Loss of muscle strength
6.Demyelination of nerve sheaths, spinal cord, and brain degeneration.

  Who are at risk??

1. People who strictly avoid animal products and are vegetarians

2. Some older individuals, as vitamin B12 uptake ability declines with age.
3. Individuals with gastrointestinal issues, such as peptic ulcers, since any atrophy of the stomach mucosa makes it impossible to produce intrinsic factor or HCL, causing chronic Vitamin B12 insufficiency as in the case of pernicious anemia. 
4. People with diabetes 
5. People who are suffering from peripheral neuritis

How to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency?

You must obtain vitamin B12 from meals derived from animals or supplements because your body cannot produce it. And you ought to do that frequently. Even while B12 is kept in the liver for up to 5 years, if your diet doesn't help keep levels stable, you may eventually become deficient. so, what amount you should obtain?

The answer is based on your age, your eating habits, your medical history, the medications you take, and other factors.The typical daily intakes, expressed as micrograms (mcg), differ by age:

0.4 mcg for infants up to 6 months old.

7 to 12 month old infants: 0.5 mcg
0.9 mcg for kids aged 1-3 years old
4–8-year-old children: 1.2 mcg
9 to 13-year-old kids: 1.8 mcg
Teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18: 2.4 mcg.

2.6 mcg per day for pregnant adult.

2.8 mcg per day for nursing adult.

Which foods are rich in B12??
1.  Beef meat, fish and poultry.
2. Animal organs as beef liver and kidney.
3. Animal products as eggs, milk and dairy products.


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