Vitamin B12 deficiency particularly in vegetarians

I know it the past I have written about eating meat, well there is a downside to not eating meat at all and that is the potential that one becomes vitamin b12 deficient. This vitamin is absolutely vital for our system as it helps keep levels of the amino acid homocysteine in check, not only this but it also works to make up our genetic material in our bodies.(make red blood cells, nerves, DNA, and carry out other functions. The average adult should get 2.4 micrograms a day.)

Vitamin B12 deficiency can have a number of possible causes. Typically it occurs in people whose digestive systems do not adequately absorb the vitamin from the foods they eat. So generally vegetarians are more at risk and people who have undergone weight loss surgery.

If you do become anaemic you will begin to experience a lot of symptoms:

• Weakness, tiredness or light-headedness
• rapid heartbeat and breathing
• pale skin
• sore tongue
• easy bruising or bleeding, including bleeding gums
• stomach upset and weight loss
• diarrhea or constipation

If the deficiency is not corrected, it can damage the nerve cells. If this happens, vitamin B12 deficiency effects may include:

• tingling or numbness in fingers and toes
• difficulty walking
• mood changes or depression
• memory loss, disorientation, and dementia

B12 deficiency in infants, if not detected and treated, can lead to severe and permanent damage to the nervous system. New mothers who follow a vegetarian diet should have their babies’ B12 levels checked by a doctor.

For most people, treatment resolves the anemia; however, any nerve damage that has occurred as a result of the deficiency could be permanent.

A Harvard Health article published the effects of study done by the Medical Journal on a 62 year old man who exhibited symptoms of “pins and needles” sensation in his hands, had trouble walking, experienced severe joint pain, began turning yellow, and became progressively short of breath. On analysis it was found that he was vitamin b12 deficient and this had occurred within just 2 months.

It could have been worse—a severe vitamin B₁₂ deficiency can lead to deep depression, paranoia and delusions, memory loss, incontinence, loss of taste and smell, and more, according to another article in the New England Journal.

According to Dr Chandy you can cure hair loss with vitamin b12 injections also. According to nhs he is not practicing medicine according to their regulations. However it has helped people significantly.

Check this out.

vitamin B12 absorption by the gut is less effective than a shot directly into muscle, a higher dose is often needed when taken orally. Over-the-counter pills in high enough doses for treatment might be difficult to find, so you might need to take three or more pills to make up your necessary daily dose.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/289587-vitamin-b12-shots-vs-pills/#ixzz2MxVAawpX

Related articles

• Vitamin B12 deficiency – time for a rethink? (maturinuk.com)
• It’s Not Alzheimer’s – Why Your Memory is Going? (belmarrahealth.com)
• Best Daily Vitamins to Help Prevent Depression (depression.answers.com)
• Vitamin V12 deficiency not linked with birth weight (foodconsumer.org)
• What You Must Know About Vegetarian Diets (belmarrahealth.com)