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Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
By Alpro Pharmacy
August 4, 2021
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What is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally synthesized by microorganisms and obtained through diet. Vitamin B12 is found in animal products such as fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk and dairy products.
Vitamin B12 does not present in plant foods generally but is added in breakfast cereals as a readily available source of Vitamin B12 for vegetarians. Vitamin B12 exists in several forms methylcobalamin and 5-deoyadenosylcobalamin are forms that are active in human metabolism. Vitamin B12 is present as cyanocobalamin in most dietary supplements, a form that the body readily converts to the active form methylcobalamin and 5-deoyadenosylcobalamin.
Biotective Folic Acid 400mcg 6x15s
Biotective Folic Aicid 400mcg has the correct dosage of folic acid, suitable for women who are planning to get pregnant.
Why Vitamin B12 is important for us?
Vitamin B12 is important in the formation of red blood cells, neurological functions and DNA synthesis. Vitamin B12 also prevents a type of anaemia called megaloblastic anaemia which can cause tiredness and weakness. Besides maintaining the normal nervous system function, Vitamin B12 is also a coenzyme crucial in folate metabolism and nucleotide biosynthesis, which is important in the metabolism of fatty acids and some amino acids.
Why some people have insufficient Vitamin B12?
Deficiency is normally caused by malabsorption of Vitamin B12 which is commonly found in some adults and the elderly. This factor is affected by gastritis or inflammation of gastric mucous increases with the age, this results in a reduction of vitamin B12 absorption.
Besides that, the inadequacy of dietary intake of Vitamin B12 is commonly seen among vegans, ovo-lacto vegetarians, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. The requirement of Vitamin B12 can be obtained by absorption of synthetic Vitamin B12 added to fortified foods and dietary supplements. Other factors that may contribute to a deficiency of Vitamin B12 is pernicious anaemia which results in loss synthesis of Intrinsic factor affecting absorption of Vitamin B12.
Medications like Metformin, or Gastric Medication can contribute to Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 For Nerve Health | Methylcobalamin 500mcg
Biotective Methylcobalamin is a natural form of vitamin B12 for nerve health. Each capsule contains 500mcg vitamin B12. It is an essential nutrient which are not synthesized in humans.
Some medications may interfere with the absorption or metabolism of Vitamin B12 resulting in a deficiency. The medication includes proton pump inhibitor (PPI) eg. Omeprazol, Histamine 2 receptor antagonists, metformin, epileptic medication, colchicine and chloramphenicol.
Medication like metformin requires long term and regular intake for optimal function, a medication used for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Patients taking metformin can develop megaloblastic anaemia which is related to changes in intestinal motility, bacterial overgrowth competing for Vitamin B12, or alteration in calcium-dependent uptake of Vitamin B12.
What are the possible symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency?
Vitamin B12 deficiency is characterized by weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue and megaloblastic anaemia. This may also lead to depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory and difficulty maintaining balance.
The deficiency of Vitamin B12 may also cause damages to the myelin sheath which surrounds and protect our nerves. These damages will affect the proper function of the nerve and may result in peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral nerve damages are commonly associated with muscle weakness, numbness and tingling in feet or hands, and burning or shooting pain in affected areas. Therefore, Vitamin B12 is one of the suggested treatments for neuropathic pain as it helps to alleviate pain by promoting myelination, improving nerve regeneration and reducing ectopic nerve firing.
Biotective Magnesium 100mg 9x10s
Biotective Magnesium is supplement with 100mg magnesium citrate in each tablet. Getting enough magnesium is essential for maintaining good health. Our body cannot function optimally without enough of this important mineral.
You can always speak to any Alrpo Pharmacist, Dietitian and Nutritionist to understand better about Vitamin B12.
