B12 vitamin is important in the formation of red blood cells and the synthesis of DNA during cell division. When B12 deficiency occurs, all folate functions are blocked, which can create a spectrum of hematologic and neuropsychiatric disorders. Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms associated neuropathy include dementia, depression, acute psychosis, reversible manic and megaloblastic madness, and homocystenemia, which is an independent risk factor for stroke.
Who are at risk of B12 deficiency? Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms, associated with nervous system disorders, is a common problem in the elderly and in people whose diets are compromised such as alcoholics. Alcohol seems to raise serum levels of B12 in the body, as a result, the deficiency is masked to show normal B12 levels. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency associated with neuropathy may occur in 5% to 40% of the general population. The prevalence has been found to be higher in the elderly, especially those in nursing homes.
What Causes Vitamin B12 Deficiencies
Vitamins are organic compounds that are bound and found in foods and that are important in body functions. Humans are able to synthesize some vitamins but, in general, the body depends on foods for the supply, in this case, of B12. Therefore, when the body is short in supply of any required vitamins, a deficiency can begin.
Most often, the main cause of B12 deficiency is the inadequate absorption of the vitamins to the digestive system. Lack of enzymes and gastric acids could interfere with digestion, resulting to a lesser B12 absorption.
Normally, the human body maintains a vitamin B12 reserve that can last up to five years, which is mostly stored in the liver. However, a cumulative incident of B12 deficiency can lead to depletion of what is stored. Vegetarians, alcoholics, and individuals on a “tea and toast” diet lack regular supply of vitamin B12 from food, which can cause low B12 levels. Poor digestion and malabsorption due to injuries to the stomach or intestines can also contribute to the low level of vitamin B12. Health disorders like pernicious anemia, celiac disease, and Crohn's disease also cause vitamin B12 deficiency.
B12 deficiency can wreak havoc on one’s health. The disorder can cause nerve damage particularly in people past the age of 60. Many of these people show symptoms that are identical to those of senile dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
What are the B12 Deficiency Symptoms?
When one stops taking vitamin B-12 (cobalamin), one passes through four stages of negative cobalamin balance: serum depletion [low holotranscobalamin II, ie, low vitamin B-12 on transcobalamin II (TCII)], cell depletion (decreasing holohaptocorrin and low red cell vitamin B-12 concentrations), biochemical deficiency (slowed DNA synthesis, elevated serum homocysteine and methylmalonate concentrations), and, finally, clinical deficiency (anemia). [Herbert: Staging Vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) Status in Vegetarians]
B12 deficiency can lead to serious problems with the nervous system. Vitamin B12 deficiency also cause high levels of homocysteine, which is an amino acid in the blood that can increase one's risk of heart disease and stroke. Deficiency in vitamin B12 has been linked to progressive cognitive decline, muscle weakness, and vision problems. Men and women with advanced vitamin B12 deficiency can have progressive failure of coordination of the reflexes, vibratory sensation, and functional deficiency on the arms and legs. Prolonged B12 deficiency can also cause death of nerve cells and impaired mental functions. Many older people with low levels of vitamin B12 also experience numbness or tingling in the arms and legs, and loss of balance
What are the initial B12 deficiency symptoms? Health conditions such as fatigue, paleness, and weakness are known to be as early signs of B12 deficiency. However, an acute B12 deficiency could lead to more health disorders such as anemia, an elevated HC (hyperhomocysteinemia), and brain shrinkage.
B12 Deficiency can Cause Brain Shrinkage
Low levels of the vitamin B12 may lead to a reduction in brain volume. This is according to a study on the relationship of vitamin B12 status and brain volume loss per year over a five-year period in an elderly population. [NEUROLOGY 2008;71:826-832© 2008 American Academy of Neurology]
“Many factors that affect brain health are thought to be out of our control, but this study suggests that simply adjusting our diets to consume more vitamin B12 through eating meat, fish, fortified cereals or milk may be something we can easily adjust to prevent brain shrinkage and so perhaps save our memory,” said study author Anna Vogiatzoglou of Oxford University. [Data: Vitamin B12 Status and Rate of Brain Volume Loss in Community-dwelling Elderly]
How does one treat B12 deficiency neurological disorders? B12 deficiency can be treated by taking daily supplements of the vitamin B12. Doctors may recommend blood transfusion to patients with severely low levels of B12.
But then again, think of natural B12 foods to treat B12 deficiency. People who follow a strict vegetarian diet may require vitamin B12 supplements. Foods such as cheese, citrus eggs, fruits, meat, and milk are good sources of vitamin B12 vitamin. B12 foods offer good results with no side effects.
References:
- Oh, R. and D.L. Brown, Vitamin B12 Deficiency. Am Fam Physician, 2003. 67(5): p. 979-86.
- N. Sethi, E. Robilotti & Y. Sadan : Neurological Manifestations Of Vitamin B-12 Deficiency . The Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness. 2005 Volume 2 Number 1
Lizzie Elzingre - The Malay Temper is the main component of the Filipino Culture. The premier Malay characteristic described as pleasant and obliging is a ...
Join the Conversation