There are factors in our everyday life that contribute to our health and wellness. It might be our lifestyle, existing conditions, or eating habits. These matter and we need to know more aware of the stuff that we may be neglecting. In this case, it’s vitamins and nutrients.
Vitamin B12 deficiency may turn serious. Those who are already at risk may not even know. It’s time to share these facts:
Author Esther Crain from health.com says that B12 is essential for our brain and immune system. It affects our metabolism so without it, it might not be as great. The thing about this nutrient is that its sources only include animal products like eggs, meat, shellfish and dairy.
There are people who are quite at risk because of their eating preference and existing conditions. Vegetarians, older adults, and those who have celiac disease are more likely to belong to the group.
21 Important Facts About Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 is a powerhouse. It helps make DNA, nerve and blood cells, and is crucial for a healthy brain and immune system. Your metabolism wouldn’t run smoothly without it. But B12 isn’t like other vitamins. It’s only found in animal products like eggs, meat, shellfish, and dairy. Read more…
A report from medicalnewstoday.com states that the nutrient is needed for proper nerve tissue and red blood cell functions. The author, Christian Nordqvist, says that the body does not store B12. It’s water-soluble so it gets dissolved easily and pretty much travels throughout our bloodstream. Excess amounts are usually ejected out of the body through urine.
What happens now if we don’t get enough of it? Let’s not take this lightly: deficiency can lead to severe nervous system and brain damage. Anemia can also be the result. People who are more likely to develop deficiency belong to groups who have intestinal problems such as those with shortened small intestines. Other people who have gastritis or inflammatory bowel disease may also be affected.
What is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 deficiency can result in irreversible and potentially severe damage, especially to the human nervous system and brain. It can also cause anemia. Even at slightly lower-than-normal B12 levels, a person can experience depression, confusion memory problems and tiredness. However, these symptoms are not specific enough to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency. Read more…
The nutrient levels in the brain for the oldest people were found to be ten times lower compared to the youngest. This means that there is a progressive decline as the years pass.
It appears though that for the elderly people, this may not be so bad. Low levels in older adults might act as a protection – it has the potential to slow down cell reactions and production of damaging chemicals in the DNA.
Low B12 Seen in Aging, Autism and Schizophrenia
But levels of B12 that are too low can be detrimental…Similarly, lower vitamin B12 levels can have negative consequences for people of younger ages, as the brain is still developing. Deth’s group found that the levels of vitamin B12 in the brains of young people with autism and in middle-age people with schizophrenia were about one-third of the levels found in similarly aged people who did not have these neurological conditions. Read more…
Dr. Josh Axe shares his tips how to overcome vitamin B12 deficiency. Check out his video below: