Vitamin B12 deficiency can occur when there aren’t sufficient levels of this vitamin in your system. This vital vitamin is essential for the proper production of healthy red blood cells, the regulation of nerve signals, and the proper functioning of your nervous system. It is also important for the absorption of iron and protects the body from anemia and other diseases. If there is a lack of vitamin B12, it can lead to symptoms that can range from the psychological to the physical.
One way to get enough vitamin b12 is to take a daily vitamin supplement. You can find many different types on the market today, including pills, tablets, vitamin b12 injections even whole food products such as cereals, beans, and breakfast cereals. Supplements are a good choice if you have trouble consuming a balanced diet or you like to take vitamin supplements regularly. However, it would help if you discussed with your physician before taking any dietary supplements since some can interact with medication.
The most common way to get vitamin b 12 is through eating a balanced diet that is abundant in diets that are high in vitamin B12 or taking vitamin supplements. For instance, foods rich in vitamin B12 include fatty fish, mussels and other seafood, yeast, wheat germ, mushrooms, and green leafy vegetables (i.e., spinach and kale). Vitamin B12 is difficult for the body to absorb through food alone, so it is often recommended that you eat a vitamin B12 supplement in addition to eating a balanced diet high in vitamin B12-rich foods. It is also advised that you avoid meals high in cholesterol and saturated fat, leading to an insufficiency.
In some people, vitamin b 12 deficiency can lead to symptoms like fatigue, nausea, anemia nausea, and weight loss, among others. If these signs continue for longer than a few weeks, you should consider seeing a physician. He may test your anemia to determine the level of vitamin B12 needed to help correct it. If your anemia is not critical, you may need to take a vitamin b12 supplement every day. If your anemia is critical, you may need to take other medication forms to correct the problem.
Intrinsic factor refers to the condition that can cause vitamin B12 deficiency. One possible intrinsic factor is infection. An intrinsic factor may develop when the intestinal bacteria that normally metabolize vitamin B12 begin to attack the intestinal walls. Other factors that may contribute to intrinsic factors include genetics, liver disease, and poor iron absorption by the intestines. Some patients who suffer from intrinsic factors may also have an allergic reaction to a drug containing vitamin B12; therefore, it is important to discuss this possibility with your doctor.
There may be a decreased absorption of vitamin b12 due to certain medications or illnesses in some cases. These medications include warfarin, an anti-seizure drug, lithium, and anticoagulants. The occurrence of decreased vitamin b12 levels may also be due to an increased risk of bleeding disorders, such as thrombosis and hypertension. Therefore, if you are at risk for either of these conditions, you should speak to your doctor about taking dietary supplements that contain vitamin b12.
An intrinsic factor can also be caused by changes in your vitamin b12 levels due to gastrointestinal tract inflammation, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or vitamin B12 deficiency. These circumstances usually require a healthcare practitioner’s expertise, as well as the prescription of specific, specialty-manufactured pills. Although your doctor can test for this condition and prescribe specific pills, the diagnosis will be made through microscopic analysis of a small amount of your blood. To ensure accuracy, a post-biopsy exam must be scheduled weeks after the examination to confirm the diagnosis.
While most people do not require vitamin b12 supplementation, pregnant women and people undergoing prolonged illness (such as cancer treatment) may need to take extra doses to increase their daily intake. Because vitamin B12 is found in many common foods, including yeast, liver, and green vegetables, a vitamin supplement may be all that is needed. However, excessive vitamin B12 can lead to serious health problems, including organ dysfunction, neurological disorders, and premature death. Therefore, it is essential to consult with your healthcare practitioner if you are at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency and any other disease or illness that might require vitamin B12 supplementation.