Vitamin B12 Deficiency - 5 Signs Vitamin B12 or cobalamin, is an essential element of DNA and is essential for maintaining genes in our body. In this role, he is an important element for the proper functioning of the nervous system and maintaining a health hematological profile.
Good food and good nutrition is almost always sufficient to prevent a deficiency in vitamin B12. The vitamin is found naturally in protein foods like meat, eggs, fish and dairy products. In addition, those who regularly take a multivitamin are not likely to need extra vitamin B12. However, ensuring adequate B12 intake is important, because the body is not easy to store vitamins.
There is a high incidence of vitamin B12 in a very select group. First, vegetarians or vegans who completely avoid animal-based foods are at risk. Children who follow a strict vegetarian diet without dairy products are particularly sensitive to low levels of this vitamin. In addition, it is estimated that a high percentage of seniors have some level of vitamin B12. This is because as we age, our ability to extract and absorb B12 from food sources of protein-based declines. In addition, seniors are more likely to have digestive problems, a damaged wall of the stomach, or have experienced some form of gastrointestinal surgery. This contributes to the possibility of a deficiency in this population. Finally, large quantities of alcohol and caffeine has been shown to decrease the body's ability to absorb the vitamin.
It is important to recognize the warning signs 5 of vitamin B12.
1. stomach pain or digestive issues
2. Fatigue and weakness
3. The loss of sensation or tingling in the legs
4. Cognitive impairment or dementia
5. Depression, irritability or mood swings
Stomach pain can be a symptom of pernicious anemia, a disease where the immune system prevents the process by which the digestive system is able to absorb vitamin B12. This results in the premature death of red blood cells. Fatigue and weakness that often accompanies low levels of this vitamin are also caused by anemia.
Given the importance of B12 in neurological function, a deficiency can cause several problems such as the functioning of the brain past three signs mentioned above. Given a predisposition to vitamin B12 deficiency in people over 50 years, loss of cognitive function, mood and irritability is often attributed to age rather than not having enough of this vitamin. This situation is compounded by the fact that impaired mental function and dementia are often symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, something as simple as a dietary gap is often overlooked as a cause of environmental degradation. This is where vitamin B12 can lead to significant improvements.
In addition, it is important to note that the effects of the B6 and folic acid, in coordination with B12 are collectively more powerful than any single B12. Because B12 dependent systems also rely on these other substances for proper operation. B12 and folic acid and B6 are needed to keep homocysteine at healthy levels. Several studies have shown that higher levels of homocysteine are associated with a higher incidence of heart disease and stroke. These vitamins may reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems, because they convert homocysteine to methionine, an amino acid that is used productively by the cells. In two other studies, vitamin B12 and folic acid have also been shown to have a role in reducing the number of abnormal cells pre-cancerous lung in heavy smokers.
The main form of vitamin B12 used as a nutritional supplement is cyanocobalamin. However, it is important to note that the absorption of vitamin B12 is much higher when the source is based food rather than through supplements. As for the extreme c.
Posted on March 18, 2010.