Vitamin B12: Importance, Deficiency, Causes, Recommended intake

Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin very important for the normal functioning of the brain, nervous system and blood formation. In this article, we explain the causes of vitamin B12 deficiency, its symptoms, diagnosis and possible treatments.



◉ Function and Importance of Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 plays a critical role in several essential bodily functions, including


◉ Food Sources of Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is present in numerous natural sources, primarily derived from animal products, while its presence in plant-based foods is limited or absent. As with most nutrients, some food industries have focused on fortifying their products with vitamin B12 to make it more widely available

◉ Natural sources of vitamin B12 include

◉ Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Speaking about vitamin B12 deficiency, it should be noted that it is relatively uncommon due to the availability of this vitamin in many commonly-consumed foods. A deficiency occurs when the body does not consume enough or fails to absorb enough.

◉ Generally, the causes of vitamin B12 deficiency include

◉ Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

If you're experiencing early-stage vitamin B12 deficiency, you're unlikely to notice any clear symptoms other than mild fatigue and physical weakness. However, if this mild deficiency isn't treated, it can progress to a severe deficiency with the following symptoms:

◉ Treatment

Vitamin B12 deficiency is primarily treated through dietary supplements containing carefully measured amounts of the vitamin. However, in cases of severe deficiency or when the body is unable to absorb the vitamin from the digestive system, treatment is administered through high-concentration vitamin B12 injections to compensate for the deficiency.

◉ Recommended intake of vitamin B12

◉ Prevention

There are a set of guidelines and tips related to preventing vitamin B12 deficiency targeting individuals who have recovered from B12 deficiency or patients who suffer from one of the risk factors for the deficiency, such as those planning to lose a significant amount of weight, recent gastric bypass surgery patients, or even elderly individuals with digestive problems. Here are some of the most important recommendations:

◉ Frequently asked questions

What are the medications that interact with vitamin B12 and hinder its absorption?

Since the absorption of this vitamin occurs in the digestive system, some patients complain of B12 deficiency despite taking dietary supplements. Sometimes, the cause may be attributed to taking certain chronic medications that affect the drug's absorption, including:

Does vitamin B12 deficiency affect the fetus of a pregnant woman?

Having a good level of vitamin B12 ensures that the fetus receives adequate blood supply and protects it from genetic mutations. On the other hand, severe deficiency of this vitamin can affect the child's growth in the future, increasing the probability of delayed physical and mental development.

Do high doses of vitamin B12 cause toxic effects?

Because vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, excess amounts are excreted in the urine. The maximum amount of this vitamin is 1000 micrograms, which is a very large amount compared to the recommended daily doses. Nevertheless, we recommend not taking this vitamin randomly, but consulting a physician first.

What are the types of anemia caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency?

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause two types of anemia with mostly similar symptoms:


Sources

  1. NIH - Vitamin B12
  2. nhs - Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia
  3. msdmanuals - Anémies mégaloblastiques macrocytaires
  4. medlineplus - Vitamin B12
  5. hsph - Vitamin B12