Vitamin B-12 is a very important vitamin that functions in metabolism. Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning it dissolves in water. It is also considered an essential vitamin, which means it cannot be synthesized by the body and therefore must come from dietary sources. A deficiency in vitamin B-12 can occur due to diet or medical conditions that cause malabsorption of vitamin B-12.
Vitamin B-12
The recommended daily intake for vitamin B-12 for anyone 14 years of age is 2.4 mcg per day, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Women who are pregnant or lactating often need higher amounts of vitamin B-12. The main function of vitamin B-12 is the formation cells in the body, particularly nerve cells. Another function of vitamin B-12, along with other B vitamins, is its role as a coenzyme in metabolic reactions that convert food to energy in the body. A deficiency in vitamin B-2 may slow your metabolic rate.
Causes of Vitamin B-12 Deficiency
A deficiency in vitamin B-12 can result in anemia, or a low red blood cell count. Several factors may lead to a vitamin B-12 deficiency, including a diet low in vitamin B-12. In addition, medical conditions such as chrohn's disease, celiac disease, alcoholism, weight-loss surgery and pernicious anemia can lead to a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Crohn's disease and celiac disease may make it difficult for your body to digest food, so malabsorption of vitamin B-12 may occur. In weight loss surgery, especially the gastric bypass Roux-en-Y procedure, the small intestine is bypassed. The small intestine is where many vitamins, including vitamin B-12, are absorbed, so supplementation is needed to prevent vitamin B-12 deficiency. Pernicious anemia occurs when the body destroys the cells that make intrinsic factor, which is required for the absorption of vitamin B-12.
Vitamin B-12 Deficiency Symptoms
If you are deficient in vitamin B-12, your symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath during physical activity, confusion, depression, loss of balance or numbness and tingling of the hands and feet. Symptoms may be mild or severe, depending on how long you have had a deficiency. A prolonged deficiency of greater than six months may result in permanent nerve damage. Eating a balanced diet that includes foods rich in vitamin B-12 can help to prevent a deficiency.
Sources of Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 is found in meat, chicken, eggs, milk and other dairy products. In addition, you can also get vitamin B-12 in an injection from your doctor or in a pill form. Vitamin B-12 supplementation may be beneficial if you are a vegetarian or if you have a medical condition that interferes with vitamin B-12 absorption.
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