Vitamin B12 deficiency: causes, symptoms and treatment methods

- B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. After the body consumes its need, the excess amounts are excreted from the body through urine. The body stores vitamin B12 in the liver, where it can store an amount sufficient for its needs for several years.

Like the rest of the B vitamins, this vitamin plays an important role in the process of protein metabolism. It also contributes to the formation of red blood cells and maintaining the integrity of the nervous system. Causes of vitamin deficiency: According to the MedlinePlus website of the National Library of Medicine in America, the body needs vitamin B12 to produce red blood cells.

In order for this vitamin to reach the body's cells, you must eat foods containing vitamin B12, and the body must be able to absorb a sufficient amount of this vitamin; A special protein known as intrinsic factor helps the body do this efficiently, and stomach cells secrete this protein. Some health conditions may make it difficult for the body to absorb enough vitamin B12, including: Vitamin B12 deficiency may also result from dietary factors, such as a strict vegetarian diet, malnutrition in infants, and malnutrition during pregnancy.

Food sources: Vitamin B12 is found naturally in animal foods such as fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk and dairy products, but it is not found in plant foods unless fortified with it. Fortified breakfast cereals are a readily available source of this vitamin, and can also be a good source for vegetarians.

Some nutritional yeast products also contain this vitamin. The recommended amounts of vitamin B12 can be obtained by eating a variety of foods, such as: Symptoms You may not have any symptoms, or the symptoms may be mild.

Symptoms may include: If low vitamin B12 levels persist for a long time, it may lead to nerve damage. Symptoms of nerve damage include the following: Treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency. Treatment depends on the cause of anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, and treatment aims to raise the levels of this vitamin in the body.

For people with low vitamin B12 levels as a result of a strict vegetarian diet, taking vitamin pills may solve the problem. As for people who suffer from a health condition that causes a deficiency in this vitamin, their treatment may include receiving injections of the vitamin, usually once a month.

If the vitamin level is very low, treatment may require receiving more injections at the beginning of treatment, and continuing to receive injections regularly for life. In some cases, adequate treatment results can be achieved by taking high doses of oral vitamin B12 supplements.