What is vitamin B12 deficiency?
Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is naturally found in animal foods. It can also be added to foods or supplements. Vitamin B12 is needed to form red blood cells and DNA. It is also a key player in the function and development of brain and nerve cells. Vitamin B12 is a very important component to ensure your nerve health is maintained well.
Since your body doesn't make vitamin B12, you have to get it from animal-based foods or supplements. And you should do that regularly. While B12 is stored in the liver for up to five years, you can eventually become deficient if your diet doesn't help maintain the levels. The recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms
. Food Sources of vitamin B12
• Fish, shellfish
• Liver
• Red meat
• Poultry
• Eggs
• Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt
• Fortified nutritional yeast
• Fortified breakfast cereals
• Enriched soy or rice milk
Signs of vitamin B12 deficiency -
• Megaloblastic anemia—a condition of larger than normal sized red blood cells and a smaller than normal amount; this occurs because there are not enough vitamin B12 in the diet or poor absorption
• Pernicious anemia—a type of megaloblastic anemia caused by a lack of intrinsic factor so that vitamin B12 is not absorbed
• Fatigue
• Generalized weakness
• Nerve damage with numbness, tingling in the hands and legs
• Memory loss
• Confusion
• Dementia
• Depression
• Seizures
So maintaining a regular intake of vitamin B12 through food sources or supplements is very important. If you suffer any symptoms visit your doctor and have vitamin B12 checked and treated.
References –
1. www.webbed.com
2. HARVARD T.H. CHAN school of public health
Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is naturally found in animal foods. It can also be added to foods or supplements. Vitamin B12 is needed to form red blood cells and DNA. It is also a key player in the function and development of brain and nerve cells. Vitamin B12 is a very important component to ensure your nerve health is maintained well.
Since your body doesn't make vitamin B12, you have to get it from animal-based foods or supplements. And you should do that regularly. While B12 is stored in the liver for up to five years, you can eventually become deficient if your diet doesn't help maintain the levels. The recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms
. Food Sources of vitamin B12
• Fish, shellfish
• Liver
• Red meat
• Poultry
• Eggs
• Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt
• Fortified nutritional yeast
• Fortified breakfast cereals
• Enriched soy or rice milk
Signs of vitamin B12 deficiency -
• Megaloblastic anemia—a condition of larger than normal sized red blood cells and a smaller than normal amount; this occurs because there are not enough vitamin B12 in the diet or poor absorption
• Pernicious anemia—a type of megaloblastic anemia caused by a lack of intrinsic factor so that vitamin B12 is not absorbed
• Fatigue
• Generalized weakness
• Nerve damage with numbness, tingling in the hands and legs
• Memory loss
• Confusion
• Dementia
• Depression
• Seizures
So maintaining a regular intake of vitamin B12 through food sources or supplements is very important. If you suffer any symptoms visit your doctor and have vitamin B12 checked and treated.
References –
1. www.webbed.com
2. HARVARD T.H. CHAN school of public health
