vitamin b12 supplements

Are vitamin b12 supplements needed?

Vitamin B12 supplements may be on the increase as the US population ages and the use of antacids becomes more widespread.

Use of antiacids may alter the acidity of the stomach thus blocking vitamin B12absorption, however this is not yet confirmed by enough studies to gain widespread acceptance by the medical community.

If you do not get enough vitamin B12 then you may not be able to make enough red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body.

Lack of vitamin B12 can lead to pernicious anemia which has many symptoms:

Feeling weak or tired
Pale skin
Lightheaded
Sore, red tongue or bleeding gums
Sick to your stomach or weight loss
Diarrhea or constipation

Continued lack of B12 can lead to:

Numbness or tingling in your fingers or toes
Poor sense of balance
Depression
Dementia

Most of the US population gets enough B12 in their diet (sources are meat, eggs, milk, and cheese), however it is a bit more complicated than simply taking in enough B12 due to absorption issues in the stomach. Research has shown that in the case of pernicious anemia, there is an auto immune response within your own body that destroys the cells in your stomach that produce intrinsic factor.

This intrinsic factor aids in the absorption of vitamin B12 supplements or foods high in vitamin B12.

Other causes of B12 deficiency are due to certain surgeries, such as partial stomach or small intestine removal to help with fat loss in obese individuals.

Conditions such as sprue (celiac disease) or Crohn’s disease can also contribute to lack of vitamin B12 absorption.

If you think that you might have a vitamin B12 deficiency, go to your Doctor and tell them your symptoms. In order to confirm a vitamin B12 deficiency they usually order one or more of the following tests:

CBC
Bone marrow examination
LDH
Vitamin B12 level
Schilling test

Treatment is usually a series of vitamin B12 supplements or shots or recently more clinicians are accepting that oral doses seem to be as effective.

Most individuals respond well to the shots or oral B12 supplementation.

To prevent B12 deficiency be sure to eat meat, eggs, and dairy products. If you are a strict vegan or are worried that you don’t get enough of these nutrients daily then a B complex supplement that contains B12 is usually effective.

If you would like to learn even more about Vitamin B12 deficiency then click on the following links:

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Medical Encyclopedia: Anemia - B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia

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