What You Need To Know About Vitamin B12
VITAMIN B12 – Your body benefits from vitamin B12 in numerous ways. For example, it contributes to the formation of your DNA and red blood cells.
Do you receive an adequate amount of vitamin B12? Ensuring sufficient intake is crucial for maintaining good health. Vitamin B12 serves numerous essential functions in the body, including contributing to DNA and red blood cell production.
Since your body doesn’t produce vitamin B12 on its own, you must obtain it from animal-based foods or supplements. Consistently incorporating these sources into your diet is important, as even though B12 is stored in the liver for up to 5 years, a deficiency can eventually develop if your dietary intake is insufficient.
The recommended daily amount of vitamin B12 varies depending on factors such as age, dietary habits, medical conditions, and medication usage. For example:
- Infants up to 6 months: 0.4 mcg
- Babies ages 7-12 months: 0.5 mcg
- Children ages 1-3 years: 0.9 mcg
- Kids ages 4-8 years: 1.2 mcg
- Children age 9-13 years: 1.8 mcg
- Teens age 14-18: 2.4 mcg (2.6 mcg per day if pregnant, and 2.8 mcg per day if breastfeeding)
- Adults: 2.4 mcg (2.6 mcg per day if pregnant, and 2.8 mcg per day if breastfeeding)
Vitamin B12 can be obtained from animal-based foods naturally, such as dairy products, eggs, fish, meat, and poultry, or from fortified food products.
Most individuals in the U.S. meet their B12 needs, but certain factors can increase the risk of deficiency. These include age-related difficulties in absorption, gastrointestinal surgeries, heavy alcohol consumption, and certain medical conditions.
The following conditions may increase your risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency:
- Atrophic gastritis, characterized by a thinning of the stomach lining.
- Pernicious anemia, which hinders the absorption of B12.
- Conditions affecting the small intestine, like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, bacterial overgrowth, or a parasite.
- Excessive alcohol consumption, which can impede nutrient absorption and caloric intake. A potential indication of vitamin B12 deficiency is glossitis, causing a swollen and inflamed tongue.
- Immune system disorders, such as Graves’ disease or lupus.
- Use of certain medications that interfere with B12 absorption, including heartburn medicines like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec OTC), pantoprazole (Protonix), and rabeprazole (Aciphex), H2 blockers like famotidine (Pepcid AC), and specific diabetes medications like metformin (Glucophage).
A deficiency in B12 can lead to various symptoms, such as anemia, weakness, heart palpitations, pale skin, digestive issues, nerve problems, vision loss, and mental health changes.
Treatment for deficiency may involve B12 shots, high-dose oral supplements, or nasal administration for those with absorption issues or pernicious anemia. Vegans or vegetarians can opt for fortified foods or B12 supplements to meet their needs. Older adults with a deficiency may require daily B12 supplements.
Prevention of B12 deficiency can be achieved by including animal-based foods like meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, and eggs in the diet. For individuals avoiding animal products or with absorption limitations, vitamin B12 supplements or fortified foods are advisable, with guidance from a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage.
What can you say about this article? Leave your comments and reactions below.
Please like and follow/subscribe:
Philnews YouTube Channel
Philnews.ph FB Page
Viral Facts