Learn How a Lack of Vitamin B12 May be Dangerous and Deceptive
A person may be deficient in vitamin B12 and not know it. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause serious health problems, including anaemia and neurological problems. It is found in animal foods, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and milk. You can also include vitamin B12 foods like breakfast cereals and nutritional yeast. The B12 vitamins are not found in plant foods. People who do not eat animal foods can get vitamin B12 from other vegetarian sources, like milk and cheese. However, they can be at a higher risk of deficiency. This type of vitamin deficiency can cause anaemia. Anaemia is a condition in which there are not enough red blood cells (RBCs). These RBCs are responsible for carrying the oxygen from your lungs to the body’s tissues. Its deficiency can also cause neurological problems, such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, balance problems, and memory loss.
Why Vitamin B Complex is Important
It is a crucial vitamin complex nutrient that helps keep the body’s nerves and blood cells healthy. It also helps make DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Our body needs the B complex vitamins to make red blood cells and keep the nervous system healthy. The deficiency of this vitamin can cause anaemia and nerve damage. This vitamin is absorbed into the body in the stomach and small intestine, and the body stores vitamin group complex nutrients in the liver. People with vitamin group deficiency may need to take supplements or receive vitamin injections.
The vitamin group is essential for many body functions, including:
- making red blood cells
- keeping the nervous system healthy
- making DNA
- preventing congenital disabilities
What is vitamin B12 Deficiency?
Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs when the body does not have enough B12 vitamins, this happens for a variety of reasons, including:
- Not including enough vitamin B12 sources in the diet
- Poor absorption of this vitamin from the gastrointestinal tract
- Increased need for vitamins, such as during pregnancy or lactation
- Certain medications or medical conditions interfere with the body’s ability to absorb or use this vitamin.
Talk to your healthcare provider or family doctor if you think you may be deficient in vitamins like B12. You can order a blood test to check your B12 levels. If you have a nutrient deficiency, they can recommend treatment, including taking B12 supplements or getting injections of this vitamin.
Symptoms of Vitamin B Complex deficiency
Vitamins are essential nutrients that help keep the body’s nerve and blood cells healthy and help make DNA protein components, the genetic material in all cells. Vitamin B complex deficiency can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, anaemia, and more. A severe deficiency can lead to neurological problems, such as vision loss and memory loss. While a B12 deficiency is relatively rare, it is essential to be aware of the symptoms to get treatment as soon as possible.
Treatment and Preventative Methods for Vitamin Group Deficiency
Treatment for a vitamin group deficiency typically involves taking supplements or receiving vitamin injections. Some dietary changes such as eating foods rich in vitamins or taking a multivitamin are also recommended. A lack of these essential B complex vitamins can lead to a type of anaemia called pernicious anaemia. Pernicious anaemia is a severe condition that can cause several health problems. Treatment for vitamin deficiency usually involves getting vitamin shots or taking oral supplements. In some cases, people with pernicious anaemia may also need to take lifelong vitamin supplements.
Vitamin shots are usually given on a schedule of one weekly injection for six weeks. After that, people typically get one shot every month for the rest of their lives. Oral supplements are taken daily. People with pernicious anaemia may also require other additions, such as folic acid and iron. Taking these supplements can help to prevent some of the health problems associated with pernicious anaemia.
Prevention of a vitamin deficiency is typically focused on ensuring that people at risk get enough of the vitamin through diet or supplements. It includes people with certain medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease or pernicious anaemia, as well as vegetarians and vegans who can miss the essential foods that are natural sources of the B complex vitamins. People with vitamin deficiency should also avoid alcohol and smoking.
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Conclusion
A lack of this vitamin can be dangerous and deceptive for several reasons. First, a lack of B12 can lead to anaemia, which can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. Second, lacking B12 can also lead to neurological problems such as body balance, memory, and depression. Finally, a lack of B12 vitamin can also lead to a build-up of homocysteine, increasing the risk of heart disease.
FAQs
What if your B12 level is dangerously low?
Constipation, diarrhoea, appetite loss, or nerve issues such as numbness or tingling, muscular weakness, walking difficulties, loss of vision, depression, memory loss, and behavioural changes are symptoms of low B12 levels.
Can B12 vitamin harm your heart?
Macrocytosis caused by B12 deficiency has also been linked to fatal and non-fatal coronary disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, and other circulatory health issues.
Which fruit is high in B12?
One of the most B12-rich foods is bananas. Bananas include vitamins and fibre, aiding blood pressure management, stress reduction, constipation relief, and ulcer relief.
Can B12 induce blood clots?
Excess B12 can cause blood clots in major blood arteries. Blood clots are harmful because they impede blood flow to body organs, leading to organ failure.
Read more:
Role of vitamins and minerals in aging
9 Crucial Vitamins for Eyes for Improved Eye Health & Vision
List of Vitamin E-Rich Fruits for Seniors That Enhance Health Greatly
