What happens when you are deficient in Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is one of the most essential nutrients in the body. It helps regulate the vitamin folate and aids in the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. Dietary vitamin B12 is found mostly in animal products such as beef, liver, milk, cheese and shellfish. Some breakfast cereals are also fortified with vitamin B12. People who do not eat animal products or who have difficulty absorbing nutrients from food are at the highest risk of developing a deficiency.
Early signs of B12 deficiency include lethargy, weight loss, constipation, diarrhea, sore tongue, and rapid heartbeat. The nutrient allows blood to circulate freely and is a building block for the body’s genetic material. Vegetarians, those with problems digesting food and absorbing nutrients, and the elderly may want to have a blood test performed to check their levels of vitamin B12, especially if they notice B12 deficiency symptoms.
Other signs of B12 deficiency include weakness, tiredness, depression, and pale skin. At a severe level Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms include numbness of the fingers and toes, dementia, and difficulty walking. Because Vitamin B12 is found mostly in animal products, most vegetarians do not get enough of the nutrient from their diet. Strict vegans who abstain from all animal products including milk and eggs are at a high risk of developing B12 deficiency symptoms and should take a vitamin supplement.
People who have trouble absorbing or digesting food are at a high risk of developing signs of B12 deficiency. The stomach produces an acid called intrinsic factor that breaks down the nutrients in food. Those who drink excessive amounts of alcohol or who have used stomach acid reducing drugs for extended periods of time may have trouble absorbing B12 regardless of their intake of red meat or other animal products. Individuals with Crohn’s disease, gastritis or who have had surgery on their stomach or gallbladder are also at risk.
The elderly frequently have trouble absorbing nutrients in food and may develop signs of B12 deficiency. These include conditions common to elderly people such as dementia, memory loss and fatigue. Older persons should have their levels of vitamin B12 checked through a blood test.
Pregnant women who do not eat animal products are at risk of passing a vitamin B12 deficiency to their babies. These women should supplement vitamin B12 through a multivitamin. It is important to note that some people have difficulty absorbing either multivitamins or vitamin B12 from food and may need a shot instead. Pregnant women vegetarians should test their baby’s levels of vitamin B12 prior to birth. Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms in babies include irritability and pale skin. At a severe level vitamin B12 deficiency in infants can lead to neurological damage and birth defects.
B12 deficiency symptoms begin as vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, which means that the red blood cells are not carrying enough oxygen through the body. At a mild level B12 deficiency anemia may not be noticed. Additional early signs of B12 deficiency include easy bruising of the skin. Blood may also be slow to clot following a wound.