Risks of Vitamin B-12 Deficiency
What is Vitamin B-12?
Vitamin B12 is an essential water-soluble vitamin that is commonly found in a variety of foods such as fish, shellfish, meat, and dairy products. Vitamin B12 is frequently used in combination with other B vitamins in a vitamin B complex formulation. It helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells and is also needed to make DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Vitamin B12 is bound to the protein in food. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach releases B12 from protein during digestion. Once released, B12 combines with a substance called intrinsic factor (IF) before it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Are Vegetarians at Risk of Vitamin B-12 Deficiency?
The answer is YES. A day's supply of vitamin B12 can be obtained by eating 1 chicken breast plus 1 hard-boiled egg plus 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt, or 1 cup milk plus 1 cup raisin bran. Those people who are strict vegetarians or vegans who are not taking in proper amounts of B12 in their diet, are prone to a deficiency state.
Megaloblastic anemia - due to vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency is a cause of megaloblastic anemia. In this type of anemia, red blood cells are larger than normal and the ratio of nucleus size to cell cytoplasm is increased. There are other potential causes of megaloblastic anemia, including folate deficiency or various inborn metabolic disorders. If the cause is B12 deficiency, then treatment with B12 is the standard approach. Patients with anemia should be evaluated by a physician in order to diagnose and address the underlying cause.
Pernicious anemia
Pernicious anemia (blood abnormality) is a form of anemia that occurs when there is an absence of intrinsic factor, a substance normally present in the stomach. Vitamin B12 binds with intrinsic factor before it is absorbed and used by the body. An absence of intrinsic factor prevents normal absorption of B12 and may result in pernicious anemia. Pernicious anemia treatment is usually lifelong; supplemental vitamin B12 given intramuscularly, intranasally, or by mouth.
Alzheimer's disease
Some patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease have been found to have abnormally low vitamin B12 levels in their blood. However, vitamin B12 deficiency itself often causes disorientation and confusion and thus mimics some of the prominent symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Well-designed clinical trials are needed before a strong recommendation can be made.
Breast cancer
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University report that women with breast cancer tend to have lower vitamin B12 levels in their blood serum than do women without breast cancer. In a subsequent review of these findings, it was hypothesized that vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to breast cancer because it could result in less folate being available to ensure proper DNA replication and repair. Higher dietary folate intake is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. The risk may be further reduced in women who also consume high amounts of dietary vitamin B12 in combination with dietary pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and methionine.
Learn more about the benefits of Sub-lingual Vitamin B-12 supplementation.
Shauna Link - TriVita Affiliate ID #13229094 800-978-0897
vitamins-health-nutrition.com
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Sub-lingual Vitamin B-12
Why your Body Needs Vitamin B-12
B-12 deficiency can sometimes result in more than a lack of energy. With all the hectic demands of today, most people could use more energy. However, if you consistently experience exhaustion, irritability, forgetfulness or brain fog, it may be a sign of something more serious. In fact, any of these conditions could be a sign of B-12 deficiency.
Every “body” can lose B vitamins
There are many things in today’s world that can lead to a B vitamin deficiency. Stress is one cause. It comes in many forms – mental, physical, emotional and environmental – and it creates a demand for Vitamin B-12 within the body that’s greater than what a typical diet can supply. Similarly, certain prescription medications can cause Vitamin B-12 depletion just as easily as stress.
Diets can also lead to a deficiency in the B-12 vitamin. Most people get their B-12 vitamins from animal food products, so vegetarians and those with nutritionally poor diets greatly increase their chances of being deficient. Digestion problems are yet another cause of B-12 deficiencies. Gastric bypass surgeries, gastric reflux, IBS, colitis and other digestive conditions inhibit the body’s absorption of B-12 from foods. On top of this, your body’s ability to absorb B vitamins can start as early as age 40 and dramatically decrease every passing year.
Because there are so many ways to become Vitamin B-12 deficient, it’s important to aggressively help protect against and/or repair a deficiency.
If you think you may have the signs of B-12 deficiency, then ask yourself the following questions:
* Do I lack energy and feel tired much of the time?
* Do I feel depressed or blue much of the time?
* Have I been under a lot of stress lately?
* Do I have brain fog or difficulty concentrating?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, chances are you’re experiencing a B-vitamin deficiency – and need to take immediate steps to remedy it. Don’t wait – because not taking care of this health risk can lead to other serious conditions.
Learn how B-12 can deliver nutrients to your body and help improve mood, maintain steady energy and eliminate brain fog. Click here
Vitamins-Health-Nutrition.com
Shauna Link
800-978-0897
B-12 deficiency can sometimes result in more than a lack of energy. With all the hectic demands of today, most people could use more energy. However, if you consistently experience exhaustion, irritability, forgetfulness or brain fog, it may be a sign of something more serious. In fact, any of these conditions could be a sign of B-12 deficiency.
Every “body” can lose B vitamins
There are many things in today’s world that can lead to a B vitamin deficiency. Stress is one cause. It comes in many forms – mental, physical, emotional and environmental – and it creates a demand for Vitamin B-12 within the body that’s greater than what a typical diet can supply. Similarly, certain prescription medications can cause Vitamin B-12 depletion just as easily as stress.
Diets can also lead to a deficiency in the B-12 vitamin. Most people get their B-12 vitamins from animal food products, so vegetarians and those with nutritionally poor diets greatly increase their chances of being deficient. Digestion problems are yet another cause of B-12 deficiencies. Gastric bypass surgeries, gastric reflux, IBS, colitis and other digestive conditions inhibit the body’s absorption of B-12 from foods. On top of this, your body’s ability to absorb B vitamins can start as early as age 40 and dramatically decrease every passing year.
Because there are so many ways to become Vitamin B-12 deficient, it’s important to aggressively help protect against and/or repair a deficiency.
If you think you may have the signs of B-12 deficiency, then ask yourself the following questions:
* Do I lack energy and feel tired much of the time?
* Do I feel depressed or blue much of the time?
* Have I been under a lot of stress lately?
* Do I have brain fog or difficulty concentrating?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, chances are you’re experiencing a B-vitamin deficiency – and need to take immediate steps to remedy it. Don’t wait – because not taking care of this health risk can lead to other serious conditions.
Learn how B-12 can deliver nutrients to your body and help improve mood, maintain steady energy and eliminate brain fog. Click here
Vitamins-Health-Nutrition.com
Shauna Link
800-978-0897
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