Anaemia and Neurological Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

With its central role in cell growth and energy production, vitamin B12 (also known as cobalamin) is vital to the functioning of every cell in the body. The importance of this vitamin means that B12 deficiencies can have wide-ranging and serious effects.

What Causes Vitamin B12 Deficiencies?

Vitamin B12 is an “essential” nutrient; this is, it must be obtained from food because it cannot be produced within the body. In the standard human diet, the major sources of vitamin B12 are animal products such as meat, milk and eggs.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can occur in the following situations.

when there is too little B12 in the diet. This is most commonly the case in vegans, who do not eat any animal products.
when B12 is absorbed poorly from the food in the digestive system. This has many possible causes, including lack of a substance called intrinsic factor, which aids B12 absorption; surgical removal of part of the intestine (e.g. to treat Crohn’s disease); and the side-effects of certain medications.

Some vitamin B12 is stored in the liver, but this supply is enough to last only three to five years. If the store is not replenished, B12 deficiency symptoms will develop.

B12 Deficiency Anaemia

Red blood cells are produced at a rate of millions every minute and are therefore rapidly affected by vitamin B12 deficiency. Reduced numbers of red blood cells leads to anaemia, with symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath and poor concentration.

Another type of anaemia may occur in people with B12 deficiency due to a lack of intrinsic factor; this is termed pernicious anaemia. Symptoms of pernicious anaemia affect many parts of the body and include those listed above, in addition to:

a reddened, swollen, sore tongue (glossitis)
pale skin
weight loss
gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhoea
heart problems, including murmurs and an irregular heartbeat
neurological problems
frequent infections.

In pernicious anaemia, symptoms develop slowly over several years and so the diagnosis is often delayed.

Psychological and Neurological Symptoms of B12 Deficiency

A vitamin B12 deficiency that has persisted over a long period of time can begin to affect the nervous system. Psychological and neurological B12 deficiency symptoms include:

“pins and needles” sensations, tingling or numbness in the fingers and toes
clumsiness and unsteadiness when walking
memory problems
depression and personality changes.

People who have had severe pernicious anaemia for several years may develop a condition called subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord. Those affected suffer progressively worsening weakness and loss of feeling in their legs, arms and body, along with impaired vision and loss of muscle control. The effects of subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord may become permanent if the B12 deficiency is not corrected.

Treating and Preventing B12 Deficiencies

The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency may be severe, but deficiencies can be treated by a doctor with a course of B12 injections, oral B12 doses, or sublingual vitamin B12 tablets, which are placed under the tongue to dissolve. Vegans who may be at risk of B12 deficiency should take a dietary supplement to avoid any possible problems.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.

online steroids pharmacy us

Avoid White Sugar and Fructose

White refined sugar is the primary cause of degenerative disease in our contemporary society. Sugar taken every day in processed foods produces a constantly over-acidic condition in your body, requiring more and more vitamins and minerals from deep in your body attempting to correct the equilibrium. After years of having this continual, over-acidic condition, as well as vitamin/ mineral depletion, it is highly improbable that some form of degenerative disease will not present itself. During the process of permanent sugar consumption , especially with today’s processed foods, excess sugar is stored in the liver in the form of glucose until the complete capacity of the liver to do so is reached. During this process, the liver becomes rather enlarged, and excess glucose is returned to the blood in the form of fatty acids , which are stored in the dormant muscular areas of the body. This is everywhere that people gain weight (stomach, buttocks, breasts, thighs, etc). When t...

Citrus Seed Extract

Citrus seed extract is an extremely potent natural antibiotic derived primarily from the seeds of grapefruit. This extract was developed after observing that citrus seeds do not readily decompose in nature from microbial action. Slightly warming in thermal nature and exceptionally bitter, citrus seed extract works in the body like most bitters, but more effectively for purposes of drying damp conditions in the body. This extract has been found to reduce members of several classes of microbes and parasites , among them: protozoa, amoebas, bacteria, viruses, and at least thirty different types of fungi, including the Candida yeast-like fungi. It is accessible as a major ingredient in liquid extracts, capsules, sprays, ointments, and a variety of other forms for treating a host of maladies. Among its more common internal utilizations are diarrhea (take daily while traveling to prevent "traveler's diarrhea"), allergies including hay fever, Candida overgrowth, giardia...

Fat-Burning Foods: Cinnamon

Cinnamon is an important and efficient product when it comes to weight loss . Here are some options on how on you can use it in your meals: For Breakfast: Cinnamon toast Stick 2 slices of whole wheat bread in the toaster. While you wait for the bread to pop up, mash a banana with 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon. Spread the melted banana over the toasted bread. Your day just begun and you’re already trimming down your tummy. For Lunch: Sweet potato soup Fry a chopped onion and garlic in oil; stir in 1/2 tsp cinnamon and a pinch of chilli and ground ginger. Add 200g sweet potatoes and cook for 3 minutes. Pour in 100ml each of chicken stock and coconut milk; simmer for 8 minutes, then blend and have a healthy and delicious lunch. F or Dinner: Moroccan baked chicken Brown 2 chicken thighs in oil. Then chop half an onion and carrot, and fry with 1 tsp each of cinnamon, paprika, cumin, garlic and ginger. Stick in 100g brown rice and put in a casserole dish with the chicken, a tin o...

Health & Nutrition Facts for Bodybuilders

Search This Blog