What are the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency?

Vitamin B12

Many people suffer from general weakness and inability to concentrate. In many cases, these symptoms may be caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, also known as clopamine, a group of copalamin compounds containing a cobalt atom in the middle.

Vitamin B12 is one of the vitamins of the eight vitamin B group, a water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin B12 deficiency has spread a lot in the last period and we are constantly hearing about the injury of those around us. B12 in the body, and the amount to be taken from it daily, and its sources of food, and the fact of deficiency and causes, and symptoms, and methods of treatment.

Daily needs of vitamin B12 by age group

Sources of vitamin B12 food

Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal foods. Red meat, liver meat, kidneys, fish, poultry, milk, eggs and cheese are rich sources. People who eat animal foods get their daily vitamin B12 needs easily. For vegetarians, those who eat milk and eggs and therefore get the needs, including those who do not take them, and those, and others who suffer from lack of secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, to eat vitamin-fortified grains B12 like subsidized bread and others, or to take supplements The food needs to get it .

Vitamin B12 functions in the body

One of the most important functions of vitamin B12 in the body role in the representation of propionates and amino acids and mono-carbon compounds, which are essential steps in the natural metabolism of all cells of the body, especially the cells of the digestive system and bone marrow and nerve tissue , It is essential in the representation of proteins, the manufacture of hem (which gives blood red color), and the formation of myelin sheath, which protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord . In addition, vitamin B12 works with folic acid in the formation of DNA and RNA , .

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency directly affects cell division, especially the rapidly dividing cells, such as bone marrow and gastrointestinal cells, by inhibiting the formation of DNA. The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in many people, which appears in laboratory tests, may not This is because testing the levels of vitamin B12 in the blood is not an effective and accurate way to know its condition in the body, but must rely on the examination of the products depend on it in the blood, which include methyl mononic acid and homocysteine, although it is expensive tests, And effective In the detection of direct deficiency in the level of blood analysis . In this section we will discuss the causes, symptoms and treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Causes of vitamin B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency is often caused by poor absorption, not by lack of intake of dietary sources, but also by lack of intake of nutrients. In cases where the body is unable to absorb vitamin B12 naturally, adequate intake does not protect against infection. In short, it gets poorly absorbed for two reasons:

• The first reason is the lack of hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach, which impairs the digestion of proteins that bind to vitamin B12 in the food and therefore difficult to release and absorb.
• The second factor is the lack of the internal factor that binds to vitamin B12 and works to absorb it. The lack of this factor is due to the damage of the stomach cells produced by it, such as in cases of gastric ulcers, cases of infection of the Helicobacter bacteria that cause ulcers, Some are unable to form the inner factor for a genetic genetic cause, and the immune system in some people fights the internal factor self .

Vitamin B12 deficiency can be caused by surgical removal of part of the stomach or small intestine, repeated use of antacids, excessive alcohol intake, Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal disorders, bacterial growth or parasites .

Symptoms Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include:

• Anemia, which is characterized by large red blood cells, which is obtained because the lack of vitamin B 12 cause secondary deficiency in folic acid, but the anemia that is caused by vitamin B-12 deficiency is different from that caused by the lack of folate nerve damage and resulting symptoms .
• The neurological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include a decline in intelligence, a speed of forgetfulness, and short-term memory impairment , , In addition to feeling numb in the limbs, and difficulty walking .
• The nerve damage caused by vitamin B12 deficiency may cause paralysis in advanced and untreated conditions, where nerve damage begins from the limbs and gradually reaches the central nervous system , .
• General fatigue, fatigue, rapid heartbeat and breathing due to anemia .
• Some problems in the digestive system; such as: constipation, diarrhea, and gases .
• Vitamin B deficiency can cause 12 yellowing in the skin and eyes, redness, smoothness and tongue bulging .
• Vitamin B-12 deficiency can result in some psychological symptoms such as depression .
• Vitamin B-12 deficiency at some advanced stages may cause blurred vision or loss of vision .

Treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency is often treated by injecting it, especially in cases of malignant anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency due to lack of internal factor). B12 supplements are then given orally or nasal sprays for life. If the cause of vitamin B12 deficiency is the lack of dietary intake, as in the case of vegetarian diets, the infected person should take vitamin B12-supported products and other foods regularly, as well as injections or supplements.

All seniors should take vitamin B12-containing dietary supplements periodically, or get injections , Where between 10% and 30% of the problems of absorption from natural sources If you take vitamin B12 in the form of dietary supplements, you should consider that it can interfere with certain drugs, such as antibiotics, some cancer drugs, bones, stomach, heart, nerves, etc. So consult your doctor to avoid these and other interactions .

Vitamin B12 should be treated under the supervision of a physician and not by individual attempts to treat it.