When is a deficiency of Vitamin B12 likely to occur?

 Surveys done in the last ten years have shown that most people in the United States consume ample amounts of Vitamin B12.

 Deficiencies, however, often occur because one’s body is unable to absorb Vitamin B12, usually because of an underlying stomach or intestinal disorder.

 Vitamin B12 deficiencies may also occur in strict vegetarians that do not consume animal products.

      What are symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency?

 Characteristic symptoms of B12 deficiency include anemia, fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite and weight loss.

 Deficiency can also lead to neurological changes such as tingling in the hands or feet.

 Other symptoms can occasionally include difficulty in maintaining balance or coordination, depression, poor memory, dementia, soreness of mouth or tongue and dementia.

  Dementia is a general term for disorders that affect the brain and generally memory loss, difficulty controlling emotions, personality changes and depression.

  In infants, symptoms of B12 deficiency can include movement disorders, delayed development, neurological disorders, and megoblastic anemia.

  Megoblastic anemia is a blood disorder in which blood vessels become larger then normal.

  Do pregnant or lactating woman need extra Vitamin B12?

  Some pregnant or lactating women may a Vitamin B12 supplement.

 When a women is pregnant nutrients travel from the mother to the fetus through the placenta.

  Breast-fed babies receive nutrients through breast milk.

 Vitamin B12 deficiency in infants is rare, but can occur as a result of maternal deficiencies in B12. (Strict vegetarians or physical inability to absorb B12.)

 Mothers who follow a strict vegetarian diet, or people with an inability to absorb B12 will need to carefully regulate B12 levels during pregnancy, because neurological damage to the infant can often be irreversible.

  Who else may need a B12 supplement to prevent deficiency?

  Strict vegetarians who do not eat animal products will need either a supplement or fortified foods!

  Individuals with pernicious anemia or gastrointestinal disorders.

  Pernicious anemia is a disorder when one’s body does not produce intrinsic factor, a substance the body needs to absorb B12.

  Gastrointestinal disorders are illnesses caused by poisonous or contaminating food such as botulism, food poisoning, or salmonellosis.

 Older adults who may have difficulty absorbing B12.

  People taking medications whose side effects may include decreased absorption of Vitamin B12.

 Because of liver damage chronic alcohols may have a more difficult time absorbing B12 and require a supplement.

Works Referenced for this Page:

• http://www.evitamins.com/healthnotes.asp?ContentID=2924006
• http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/vitaminb12.html