What is considered b12 deficiency?

Have you ever been so tired that you felt like a sloth chained to a tree on a scorching day? Or perhaps, your mind feels foggy and unclear like trying to navigate through thick mist during morning traffic. Well buckle up buttercup, because these are just some of the symptoms that come with B12 deficiency!

The Science behind Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is an essential vitamin needed for several bodily functions. It helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells while producing DNA – our body’s genetic blueprint! This vitamin can only be acquired in our diet or supplements since humans cannot synthesize it.

Vitamin B12 consists of four different structures: cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, adenosylcobalamin, and methylcobalamin. Don’t let those big words intimidate you – all we have to know for now is that they play critical roles in the functionality of vitamin B12.

How much do we need?

It is recommended that adults consume 2.4 micrograms per day from their diets; however pregnant women may require more (exciting, isn’t it?). Pregnant women should aim for 2.6 mcg/day while breastfeeding mothers require 2.8 mcg/day (lucky us).

So what causes this deficiency?

Several reasons could lead to vitamin B-12 deficiency:

Vegan/Vegetarianism

If you heard someone say “meatless Mondays,” then chances are they might not get sufficient amounts of Vitamin-B-12 since the source tends to be restricted primarily to animal-based foods such as eggs, meat products like chicken & beef liver (yum), milk or other dairy products.

Alcohol Abuse

Let’s face it: drinking more than average levels affects our overall health in many different ways. Folks who find themselves most at risk for vitamin B-12 deficiency are alcoholics since excessive alcohol consumption can prevent the body from absorbing adequate amounts of the nutrient.

Gut Issues

Some digestive issues such as Crohn’s or celiac disease tend to cause our sobbing intestines to become unable to absorb these necessary vitamins and minerals. This often leads to a reduction in how much B-12 gets absorbed into our bodies – pfft, thanks, guts!

Symptoms

“Hey there! You don’t look too good…” is something you might hear with these signs:

  • Fatigue or weakness (like duh)
  • Pale skin
  • Feeling dizzy and light-headed (not like Harry Styles)
  • Gastrointestinal problems (how convenient…)
  • Tingling or numbness feet/hands (woohoo)
  • Depression
    …and others (even more fun stuff)!

These symptoms aren’t restricted solely but are often overlooked by doctors since they present an array of flu-like symptoms that humans experience on a daily basis.

Diagnosis & Tests

Wait; before you go diagnosing yourself with Dr.Google’s medical degree, let me tell you about some tests that licensed professionals use which includes:

Blood test

This measures the amount of Vitamin-B12 currently present in your blood. But remember, please do not try this test at home!

Bone marrow biopsy

This involves using innovative technology by piercing through bone tissue ultimately allowing doctors to determine if we’re able to produce enough healthy red blood cells.

Treatment Options

I know what you’re thinking: “How do we cure it?” Fear not my lovely reader because several treatment options exist regarding B12 Deficiency:

Supplements/Injections

Supplements come in various forms such as pills or liquid drops while injections get administered straight into muscle tissue every few days over steady increments of a few weeks.

Eat More Foods Rich in Vitamin B12

Animal products such as beef liver, clams (Yum YUM), chicken and fish are excellent places to start. Vegans or vegetarians could opt for fortified cereals or plant-based milk like soy milk if they’re looking for options that work best for them.

Conclusion

In summary, B12 Deficiency arises when our bodies don’t get enough of the essential vitamin. It presents symptoms such as fatigue, tingling feet/hands and gastrointestinal problems – experiences nobody wants! Dietary changes, supplements/injections remain society’s most effective ways to treat these issues but let us not forget healthy eating habits- we all know the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away!”

Random Posts