Last Updated:
Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs when you do not eat enough vitamin B12 or your body does not absorb the vitamin B12 you consume adequately.
It is treatable with vitamin B12 medicines.
A vitamin B12 deficiency occurs when your body does not receive enough vitamin B12 from your diet or does not absorb enough of it to function as it should. An essential nutrient, vitamin B12 aids in the production of red blood cells and DNA, the genetic material found in all cells. If left untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to neurological, psychological, and physical issues.
Vitamin B12: What Is It?
An essential nutrient that supports the health of your blood and nerve cells is vitamin B12. It also aids in the production of DNA, the genetic material found in every cell in your body. Vitamin B12 is not produced by your body. To obtain vitamin B12, you must eat and drink foods and beverages that contain the vitamin.
Meat, cheese, and eggs are examples of animal items that contain vitamin B12. Additionally, fortified foods – foods that have certain vitamins and nutrients added to them – like bread, nutritional yeast, and some cereals, include it.
The daily requirement for vitamin B12 is approximately 2.4 micrograms (mcg) for adults and more for pregnant and lactating women. Depending on their age, infants and kids require different amounts of vitamin B12.
For your body to absorb vitamin B12 from the food you eat, two things must occur:
- Your stomach’s hydrochloric acid eliminates vitamin B12 from the food it was in.
- Your stomach produces a protein known as intrinsic factor, which mixes with vitamin B12.
After that, your digestive system can absorb vitamin B12.
What Causes Low Vitamin B12 Levels Even After Consuming Meat?
A lack of vitamin B12, which is mostly present in animal products like meat, fish, and dairy, appears to have become very widespread recently, especially among people who eat these foods. However, what may be causing that?
Talking to the Indian Express, Dr. Manjusha Agarwal, senior consultant in internal medicine at Gleneagles Hospital Parel, Mumbai, stated that “conditions like anaemia, coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease, or even long-term use of medications can affect how the body absorbs B12 from the digestive tract.” Poor absorption is one common explanation for this.
Additionally, Dr. Agarwal stated that the production of stomach acid, which is required to release B12 from meals, decreases with age. “Some people also lack the protein needed to absorb B12 properly. Even with a meat-based diet, if your body can’t absorb B12 efficiently, the levels can go down,” said Dr Agarwal.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause symptoms like mood swings, numbness, memory problems, and exhaustion. Eating a balanced diet that includes foods high in vitamin B12 is crucial to preventing vitamin B12 insufficiency.
It’s best to speak with a healthcare professional about testing and whether dietary adjustments or supplements are required if you suspect a deficiency.
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
