Folate and vitamin B12 deficiency are rare in the general U.S. population and more often are seen in the elderly, who are at risk for these deficiencies. To absorb these vitamins, the body goes through natural processes that tend to lose function as the human body ages.
Digesting & Absorbing Vitamins
The vitamins found in food are bound to proteins. During the digestion process, hydrochloric acid in the stomach detaches them from the protein. Vitamin B12 then must bind to a protein produced in the stomach lining, called intrinsic factor, in order to be absorbed in the bloodstream. Some conditions can cause the stomach to stop producing intrinsic factor or to not produce enough of it, which means the body cannot absorb vitamin B12.
Who's at Risk for Vitamin B12 Deficiency
People who have pernicious anemia, have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, are elderly and who have had part of their stomach removed are at risk for not being able to produce enough intrinsic factor. Talk to your doctor about vitamin B12 supplementation, and watch for signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, such as megaloblastic anemia, fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, numbness and tingling of hands, depression, confusion, dementia and poor memory. The neurological symptoms often are more evident in the elderly.
Folate Deficiency
Folate deficiency can occur when there is an increased need for folate or when the body is losing or not absorbing it normally. Certain conditions that can cause this include pregnancy and lactation, alcohol abuse, malabsorption, kidney dialysis, liver disease and certain anemias. Certain medications also can interfere with the folate process.
Function
Vitamin B12 helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells and is necessary to make DNA. Vitamin B12 is water-soluble and is found in many foods, including meat, dairy, shellfish and fortified cereals and breads. Folate is very important to the developing fetus and pregnant mother; it has been shown to help reduce birth defects and prevent moms from becoming anemic during pregnancy. Folate also is necessary to help make red blood cells and prevent anemia, and it helps prevent changes in DNA that may lead to cancer. Folate can be found in green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, dried beans and peas and in fortified cereals and breads.
Treatment
According to the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health, the best method of treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency is usually vitamin B12 injection, as this bypasses the absorption problem. High doses of oral vitamin B12 are an effective treatment for some people, but this depends on the level of absorption problems a person has. For folate deficiency, ensuring a diet high in folate as well as supplementation often are effective treatments. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.
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