Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin essential to ideal human health and found in a wide variety of foods such as fish, dairy products and meat, according to the Mayo Clinic. People who do not get enough B12 may experience constipation and other medical symptoms. If you're experiencing constipation or other medical symptoms, consult a physician or health care provider for detailed medical advice and assistance.
B12
Vitamin B12 plays numerous important roles in the body. The May Clinic reports that B12, in combination with other various B vitamins, helps people maintain nervous system health, aids in red blood cell production and is an essential element in the body's ability to make DNA. The human body is capable of storing many years of B12, and B12 deficiencies are relatively rare because of this, though the elderly and people with medical conditions that make B12 absorption more difficult are at risk for developing deficiencies
B12 Deficiency Pernicious Anemia
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a person with a vitamin B12 deficiency can develop pernicious anemia. Pernicious anemia is a medical condition in which a person's body is unable to create enough red blood cells. Symptoms of anemia and B12 deficiency include fatigue, shortness of breath, headache, and digestive tract problems such as constipation or diarrhea. Severe B12 deficiencies can lead to more significant problems such as confusion, depression and dementia.
Sources
People with constipation associated with B12 can often alleviate the problem by eating foods rich in B12 or by taking dietary supplements. Vitamin B12 is present in a variety of foods, and most people who eat these foods do not need additional sources of B12. The Office of Dietary Supplements, part of the National Institutes of Health, reports that foods such as beef liver, clams, fortified breakfast cereals and various types of fish are all high in vitamin B12.
Constipation
People who have constipation, whether or not they have a B12 deficiency or anemia, may also have other medical problems. Constipation can be a symptom of more serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome and hyperthyroidism, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, a service of the National Institute of Health. While periodic constipation is often not a serious problem, talk to a medical professional if you experience recurring or ongoing bouts of constipation.
