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What causes vitamin B12 deficiency and how to replace it

2025-01-07 18:44:00, Shëndeti CNA

What causes vitamin B12 deficiency and how to replace it

Illustrative photo

Vitamin B12 is a nutrient necessary for the processes that occur in the central nervous system, for DNA and red blood cells. Because your body cannot produce it on its own, you must get it through food or supplements in case of deficiency.

Deficiency rates of this vitamin are much higher in certain specific populations and deficiency can have a major impact on the body. However, this can be treated or completely prevented.

In the future, AgroWeb.org will introduce you to everything you need to know about this topic.

What causes vitamin B12 deficiency?

Its deficiency may be more common in vegans and vegetarians. Also, the long-term use of certain medications is a factor that can affect it.

Other risk factors may be:

1. Age – The risk of B12 deficiency increases with age, so people over 60 are the most at risk.

2. Pregnancy – B12 needs increase during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

3. Abuse of alcohol or prohibited substances - These people often do not eat healthily and the body does not absorb nutrients efficiently.

Symptoms of B12 deficiency

Some of the more common symptoms are vague, so the deficiency may go undetected in many people. This is why it is important to do blood tests regularly, especially if you think you may be deficient.

The most common symptoms of B12 deficiency are:

Fatigue
Pale skin
Shortness of breath when engaging in physical activity
Dry lips
B12 deficiency can also cause more serious symptoms such as:
Dizziness
Memory impairment
Headaches
Difficulty walking
B12 deficiency shares symptoms with other serious conditions and diseases, so it's important not to self-diagnose and always see a doctor for proper testing.

Prevention

Although you may not be able to prevent some causes, most people can maintain optimal levels by eating foods that contain vitamin B12 or taking supplements. Most B12-only supplements contain 500-1000 micrograms per dose. They are generally considered safe, even in very high doses. This is because the body does not store it in excessive amounts and excretes it in the urine.

Food sources of vitamin B12

If you are concerned that you are not getting enough B12, try increasing your intake of the following foods:

Boiled beef liver Fish
such as salmon or tuna
Dairy products such as yogurt and cheese
Eggs
Eat poultry such as turkey
B12 is mainly concentrated in animal foods, but can be found in some plant-based foods. /AgroWeb.org