B12 deficiency:

Introduction:

Vitamin B12 is a common nutritional deficiency that affect people and has wide symptoms like tingling in extremeties, fatigue and forgetfulness.

Moreover, it has important functions in the body like DNA production and decreasing level of homocysteine- a chemical produced in the body, ounce it is elevated it increases risk of inflammation and infection.

Symptoms and Effects:

Anemia: Vitamin B12 is needed for RBC that play a key role in delivering oxygen to body organs.Megalosblastic anemia is the common anemia related to vitamin B12 deficiency and it produces symptoms like fatigue and tachycardia (rapid heart rate), and sometimes dizziness. It can be diagnosed by blood test.

Peripheral neuropathy : It is atype of nerve impairement. Vitamin B12 is a co-factor for myelin formation, a protective covering for peripheral nerves. Without vitamin B12 nerve damage occur and the result will be perpipheral neuropathy that has common symptoms like

· Tingling

· Numbness

· Weakness

Dementia is a disease characterized by memory loss and emotional changes. It is due to many reasons but vitamin B12 deficiency along with elevated homocysteine level is a new cause according to studies.

Symptoms of dementia include:

· Forgetfulness

· Absentmindedness

· Problem solving difficulties

· Inability to concentrate

· Loss of ability to take care of oneself

· Apathy

· Hallucinations

Depression is a common manifestation of vitamin B12 deficiency and it is accompanied with anemia and dementia

Stroke : It is a condition caused by interrupted blood flow to the brain causing physical or mental handicap. Vitamin B12 could be a reason and it is contraversial if it is due to elevated homocysteine. Young adults are most prone to stroke even they are not at risk.

Myelopathy:Vitamin B12 deficiency causes a type of spine disease called subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, which is loss of the protective myelin of certain areas of the spinal cord that control moment, balance and sensation.

Symptoms of subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord include:

· Weakness

· Numbness, tingling

· Spasticity

· Balance problems

Tongue swelling Glossitis refer to a smooth and painful tongue resulted from nutritional deficiency.

Thyroid disease and multiple sclerosis (MS) are both conditions believed to be related to an autoimmune process. An autoimmune disease is a condition caused by the body attacking itself.

Intrinsic factor deficiency is an autoimmune disease that results from a ‘self’ attack on the region of the stomach that is involved in vitamin B12 absorption. Often, individuals who have thyroid disease or MS also have intrinsic factor deficiency and its associated vitamin B12 deficiency.

Causes

Low Dietary Intake

Vegans have higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency as they are not taking enough amount. So if you are vegan you need to choose fortified food with vitamin B12 along with supplements.

Low Absorption

Vitamin B12 require some processing before being absorbed in the small intestine. So some conditions that are affecting stomach or small intestine interfere with vitamin B12 absorption.

Autoimmune disease, gastric by pass and ifnlammation interfere with the production of intrinsic factor which is important tfor vitamin B12 absorption.

Heavy alcohol interfer with IF production and thus lead to vitamin B12 deficiency.

Crohn’s disease and celiac disease can prevent the proper absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestines, causing a deficiency even if there is enough vitamin B12 in the diet.

Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disease that reduces or eliminates intrinsic factor, so malabsoprtion of vitamin B12 occur. This type of B12 deficiency cannot be treated with oral B12 replacement and requires treatment with vitamin B12 shots.

Symptoms of pernicious anemia include:

· Fatigue

· Lack of energy

· Lightheadedness

· Depression

· Headaches

· Rapid heartbeat

· Ringing in the ears

Medications: Some medications interfere with vitamin B12 absorption and some of them are:

· Metformin: used for treating diabetes

· Colchicine: used to treat gout

· Chloramphenicol: an antibiotic used to treat infections

· Many medications used for the treatment of heartburn

Conclusion:

Vitamin B12 at early stages is reversible and if it is due to nutritional deficiency you need supplements along with fortified food but if it is due to aleteration in producing intrinsic factor you need injection of vitamin B12 instead of orally by mouth to enhance absorption.

Sources:

https://www.verywellfit.com/causes-and-effects-of-vitamin-b12-deficiency-4126428?utm_campaign=livinghealthy&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cn_nl&utm_content=16071977&utm_term=list_gl_ot_vft-default

https://nutritionlab.co/vitamin-b12-foods/