Vitamin B12 uses fatty acids and amino acids in order to make the DNA of the body's cells. In addition, vitamin B12 keeps red blood cells healthy. A vitamin B12 deficiency in a man, also referred to as pernicious anemia, occurs when the man's body lacks enough of the vitamin B12 to make a sufficient amount of healthy red blood cells.
Physiology
In order to properly absorb vitamin B12, the stomach cells, called parietal cells, must produce adequate amounts of a protein called intrinsic factor. When vitamin B12 enters the stomach, it binds to intrinsic factor and is carried on the protein through the small intestine where it is able to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Without intrinsic factor, it is impossible for the body to absorb the vitamin.
Causes
A major cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in a man is a lack of intrinsic factor in the stomach. The lack of this protein may be a result of an abnormal immune response that resulted in the destruction of parietal cells or prior stomach surgery that involved the removal of all or part of the stomach.
Vitamin B12 deficiency may also develop if a man does not consume enough vitamin B12 in the diet. MayoClinic.com notes that vegetarian men are more at risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency due to the diet because animal foods are the best sources of vitamin B12.
Malabsorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestine can also lead to vitamin B12 deficiency. Intestinal surgeries, digestive disorders and certain medications can cause this malabsorption, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Symptoms
Initially, a man with a vitamin B12 deficiency will experience fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, decreased body temperature, pale skin and gums and chest pain. As the deficiency progresses, it can result in nerve damage, which cause abnormal sensations. When the nerves are damaged, a man will experience numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, trouble with balance and difficulty walking, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Treatment
Most cases of vitamin B12 deficiency are easily treatable with vitamin B12 supplementation. Mild cases may be corrected with oral supplementation, whereas more severe cases may need injections of vitamin B12. Depending on the cause of the deficiency, injections may be necessary for a lifetime.
Prevention
In order to decrease the chances of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency, a man should aim to consume at least 2.4 micrograms of the vitamin daily. The best food sources of naturally-occurring vitamin B12 include meat, fish, poultry and dairy products. Fortified cereals and fortified soy milk contain synthetic vitamin B12.
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