Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin naturally available in foods such as meat, poultry, eggs and milk. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institute of Health, most children and adults in United States consume the needed daily intake of Vitamin B12. However, Vitamin B12 deficiency can occur in strict vegetarians, elderly people, breastfed infants and in people who require higher doses of Vitamin B because of health conditions such as pregnancy, anemia, history of severe bleeding, cancer and liver or kidney diseases according to MayoClinic.com.
Megaloblastic Anemia
Megaloblastic anemia is a type of anemia wherein the red blood cells, which carry oxygen into the different parts of the body, become larger than usual, causing a decrease in their oxygen-carrying capacity. This may result in fatigue and weakness, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Other symptoms related to megaloblastic anemia are constipation, loss of appetite and weight loss. Vitamin B12 supplementation is necessary to resolve this problem.
Neurological Changes
Neurological changes, or changes that affect the function of the brain and nerves, can sometimes develop with B12 deficiency, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. This may include tingling sensations in the feet and hands, depression, confusion, poor memory and difficulty in maintaining balance. MayoClinic.com enumerates that neurologic problems may occur even with only a slightly low levels of vitamin B12. Furthermore, neurological symptoms can occur without megaloblastic anemia in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, thus early diagnosis and management is a must to avoid the development of any irreversible neurological problems.
Problems in Infancy
The Office of Dietary Supplements reports that vitamin B12 deficiency does not only cause megaloblastic anemia in infancy. It can also cause other problematic symptoms such as slow growth, failure to gain weight, mental disorders, and developmental delays. Many of these symptoms are nonspecific, making it difficult to determine that a vitamin B12 deficiency is to blame. Proper and thorough history taking, physical examination and laboratory diagnostic procedures are necessary to recognize and manage this type of problem.
Increased Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease
Vitamin B12 and folate are involved in the metabolism of homocysteine, a major risk for the development of cardiovascular disease and heart attack by triggering blood clot formation, impaired blood vessel function and increased cholesterol level, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Thus, vitamin B12 deficiency can result into increased levels of homocysteine in the body predisposing a patient to the development of heart and blood vessels problems and diseases.
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