Vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms

Vitamin B12 supplements may be beneficial for those with certain health conditions or dietary restrictions. The recommended dosage can vary based on several factors, including your age, sex, and medical history. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble nutrient that’s required for many crucial processes in your body. The ideal dose of vitamin B12 varies based on your sex, age, and reasons for taking it. This article examines the evidence behind the recommended dosages for B12 for different people and uses. Share on Pinterest Image credit: Vergani Fotografia/Shutterstock It’s necessary for proper red blood cell production, DNA formation, nerve function, and metabolism ( Vitamin B12 also plays a key role in reducing levels of an amino acid called Additionally, vitamin B12 is important for energy production. However, there’s currently no evidence that taking B12 supplements increases energy levels in people who are not deficient in this nutrient ( Vitamin B12 is found mostly in animal products, including meats, seafood, dairy products, and eggs. It’s also added to some processed foods, such as cereal and nondairy milk. Because your body can store B12 for several years, serious B12 deficiency is rare, but up to 26% of the population may have a mild deficiency. Over time, B12 deficiency can lead to complications like anemia, nerve damage, and fatigue ( Vitamin B12 The following factors may put you at a higher risk of not getting enough vitamin B12 from diet alone ( • following a vegetari...

• • • • • Vitamin B12 is a vital nutrient that is required for the production of oxygen-carrying red blood cells in our body. It is necessary for DNA synthesis and for the proper functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B12 has innumerable other functions from maintaining the health of skin and hair to improving memory and cognition. Vitamin B12 and Your Diet Unlike many other nutrients that are synthesized in our body, vitamin B12 has to be consumed from your diet. This water-soluble vitamin is naturally found in animal foods making it difficult for vegetarians and vegans to get an adequate supply of this nutrient. Milk and dairy products may still be able to supply vegetarians with some vitamin B12. But the most high-grade sources of vitamin B12 are beef liver and clams. Chicken, fish, and eggs are other great sources of B12. Vegans can resort to vitamin B12 fortified foods or Vitamin B12 dietary supplements to ensure they get enough B12. But despite having a diet with adequate B12 intake, many people may still find themselves deficient in this important vitamin. This is because many factors can interfere with vitamin B12 absorption making it difficult for the body to get the amount it needs for its daily B12 requirements. Elderly people have a higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency as their ability to absorb it gets reduced. 15 Signs of Vitamin B12 Deficiency The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency arise mostly due to the lack of healthy blood cells that are required fo...

The foods containing vitamin B12 are primarily animal meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. Vegetarians, people who are pregnant or nursing, and others who are at risk of deficiency may need to take supplements. Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that your body can’t make on its own, so you need to get it from your diet or from supplements. Here are 12 foods rich in vitamin B12 to add to your shopping list. 1. Animal liver and kidneys A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of lamb liver provides an incredible 3,571% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin B12 ( While lamb Lamb liver is also very high in copper, selenium, and vitamins A and B2 ( Lamb, veal, and beef kidneys are likewise high in vitamin B12. Lamb kidneys provide about 3,000% of the DV per 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving, plus more than 100% of the DV for vitamin B2 and selenium ( 2. Clams Clams are small, chewy This mollusk is a lean source of protein and contains very high concentrations of vitamin B12. You can get more than 7,000% of the DV in just 20 small clams (190 grams) ( Clams, especially whole baby clams, also provide a great amount of iron, with almost 200% of the DV in a 100-gram (3.5-ounce) serving ( Plus, clams have been shown to be a good source of antioxidants ( Interestingly, the 4. Beef One grilled flat iron steak (about 190 grams) provides 467% of the DV for vitamin B12 ( Also, the same amount of steak contains reasonable amounts of vitamins B2, B3, and B6, as well as more than 100% of the DVs for selenium and z...

• Pernicious anemia is when the body cannot absorb enough vitamin B12 in the small intestine, causing a drop in red blood cells. • Pernicious anemia causes fatigue, weakness, headaches, and weight loss. • Treatment for pernicious anemia involves vitamin B12 injections to restore levels to an optimal range, followed by continued injections or oral medications to maintain these levels. Pernicious anemia is one cause of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. It’s thought to mainly be caused by an autoimmune process that makes a person unable to produce a substance in the stomach called intrinsic factor. This substance is needed to absorb dietary vitamin B12 in the small intestine. Vitamin B12 is a required nutrient that helps allow proper red blood cell production and function in the body. Pernicious anemia is a rare condition. It occurs in 0.1 percent of the general population and 1.9 percent in people who are older than 60 years, according to a However, up to 50 percent of anemia from vitamin B12 deficiency in adults is caused by pernicious anemia, study authors note. This type of anemia is called “pernicious” because it was once considered a deadly disease. This was due to the lack of available treatment. Today, the condition is relatively easy to treat with The progression of pernicious anemia is typically slow. It may be difficult to recognize the symptoms because you may have become used to not feeling well. Common symptoms include: • fatigue • weakness • • • weight loss • pale...

Vitamin B12 is essential for brain and nerve function. A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause headaches, fatigue, muscle weakness, and depression. Low levels of vitamin B12 can be due to not getting enough vitamin B12 in your diet or the body being unable to absorb the vitamin due to another medical condition. Complication of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms Anemia, when you don't have enough red blood cells Fatigue, dizziness, paleness, and a rapid heart rate Neuropathy, damage to the nerves Tingling, numbness, weakness, and balance problems Myelopathy, damage to the spinal cord Sensory issues, numbness, tingling Dementia, impairment of mental processes Cognitive decline and behavioral changes Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency typically develop gradually over the course of weeks or months. They do not usually improve without treatment. What Causes Vitamin B12 Deficiency? Vitamin B12 deficiency has two primary causes. Some people do not get enough B12 in their diet. Others have problems absorbing B12 in the intestines. Recovery from vitamin B12 deficiency takes time. You may not have any improvement during the first few months of treatment. Improvement may be gradual and may continue for up to six to 12 months. Rehabilitation You may have long-lasting symptoms even after treatment. Numbness, tingling, and weakness can impair your balance. A • Belghith A, Mahjoub S, Romdhane B. Tunis Med. 2015;93(11):678-82. • Pavlov CS, Damulin IV, Shulpekova YO, Andreev EA. Ter Arkh. 2019;91(...

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that must be obtained through diet or a supplement. Having too little B12 can cause fatigue, anemia, and neurological problems. Vitamin deficiencies may sometimes go unnoticed, yet they can have a significant effect on our health. Among the more common deficiencies is vitamin B12. Here’s what vitamin B12 deficiency looks like and what you can do about it. Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions. It’s an Vitamin B12 is primarily involved in the production of red blood cells, the maintenance of a healthy nervous system, and the metabolism of proteins and fats. It also contributes to DNA synthesis and supports brain function. A deficiency in • Fatigue and weakness: B12 deficiency can cause general fatigue, lack of energy, and muscle weakness. • Anemia: Without enough B12, the body may produce larger, irregularly shaped red blood cells, leading to • Neurological problems: B12 is vital in maintaining a healthy nervous system. Deficiency can lead to symptoms such as numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, difficulty with balance, muscle weakness, memory problems, and • Digestive issues: Some individuals with B12 deficiency may experience digestive problems like loss of appetite, • Tongue inflammation: B12 deficiency can cause inflammation of the tongue (glossitis), leading to a swollen, red, or sore tongue. First signs of vitamin b12 deficiency Fatigue and weak...

Enter search terms to find related medical topics, multimedia and more. Advanced Search: • Use “ “ for phrases o [ “pediatric abdominal pain” ] • Use – to remove results with certain terms o [ “abdominal pain” –pediatric ] • Use OR to account for alternate terms o [teenager OR adolescent ] Search A-Z Vitamin B12 (cobalamins), with folate, is necessary for the Formation of Blood Cells Red blood cells, most white blood cells, and platelets are produced in the bone marrow, the soft fatty tissue inside bone cavities. Two types of white blood cells, T and B cells ( lymphocytes)... read more and the synthesis of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), which is the genetic material of cells. Vitamin B12 is also necessary for normal nerve function. Good sources of vitamin B12 include meats (especially beef, pork, liver, and other organ meats), eggs, fortified cereals, milk, clams, oysters, salmon, and tuna. (See also Overview of Vitamins Vitamins are a vital part of a healthy diet. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA)—the amount most healthy people need each day to remain healthy—has been determined for most vitamins. A safe... read more .) Vitamin B12 occurs in foods that come from animals. Normally, vitamin B12 is readily absorbed in the last part of the small intestine (ileum), which leads to the large intestine. However, to be absorbed, the vitamin must combine with intrinsic factor, a protein produced in the stomach. Without intrinsic factor, vitamin B12 moves through the intestine a...