Vitamin 12 deficiencies

Vitamin B12 ini diperolehi daripada sumber haiwan yang kita makan, seperti daging dan produk tenusu. Selalunya kita mendapat cukup vitamin B12 daripada diet, tetapi kadang-kadang makanan yang dimakan tidak memberikan vitamin B12 yang cukup atau badan kita sendiri yang tidak dapat menyerap vitamin B12 yang dimakan, mungkin disebabkan oleh pengambilan ubat-ubat tertentu. Golongan yang berpotensi mengalami kekurangan vitamin B12 ini ialah vegetarian jika mereka tidak mengambil makanan yang dikayakan dengan vitamin ini, seperti roti atau cereals.

Kekurangan B12 menyebabkan badan berasa letih dan lemah, dan ini boleh membawa kepada masalah kesihatan yang serius jika tidak dirawat atau dipulihkan. Kekurangan vitamin B12 yang teruk boleh menyebabkan risiko penyakit mental, hilang ingatan, nyanyuk, dsb yang dikaitkan dengan kerosakan saraf, anemia, dsb.

Perincian tentang kekurangan vitamin B12 ini dipanjangkan dalam artikel berikut….

Vitamin 12 deficiencies

Fatigue is the most common symptom of people who have low levels of vitamin B12. But fatigue by itself can be a sign of almost any health condition — or just that you haven’t been sleeping enough! Other signs of B12 deficiency include weight loss, constipation or diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, abdominal bloating and gas, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, loss of balance, and a sore, red tongue.

Vitamin B12 deficiencies may happen when you aren’t getting the right nutrients in your diet, when your body can’t absorb nutrients properly, and when you have various other problems of the digestive system.

Since most B12 in our diets comes from animal products, vegans are at risk for B12 deficiency. Crohn’s and celiac disease, weight loss surgery, and chronic alcoholism can all interfere with a person’s ability to absorb enough of the nutrients they need. Seniors have more problems with nutrient absorption and malnutrition as well.

Vitamin B12 is a critical nutrient that helps your body make healthy red blood cells. If you have a chronic of B12, your body can’t make the amount of red blood cells that it needs, which can lead to anemia.

Treatments for B12 Deficiency

The Institute of Medicine recommends that adults over age 14 get at least 2.4 micrograms of B12 a day; pregnant or breastfeeding women need slightly more.

If it’s difficult for you to get enough vitamin B12, your doctor may prescribe a daily oral supplement or a weekly nasal spray. Serious B12 deficiencies may require B12 injections, which are administered occasionally.

Most people with vitamin B12 deficiencies have a mild problem. But in some cases, vitamin B12 deficiency can have serious consequences. You can develop mental problems, including confused thinking, memory loss, and dementia, which in some serious cases can be irreversible. Low levels of B12 can also cause nerve damage and anemia and weaken your bones.

Good sources of Vitamin B12

Animal products like meat, poultry, and seafood, and dairy foods like milk, eggs, yogurt, and cheese are the best sources of vitamin B12. Honey, vegetables, and fruits are not really sources of vitamin B12, which is why people who follow a vegan diet may not get enough of it. If you’re a vegan, think about eating a breakfast cereal fortified with B12. You can also take a B12 supplement, which is recommended for pregnant and nursing mothers who are vegans or even strict vegetarians.

Sometimes B12 deficiency is caused by conditions other than diet. If your body can’t absorb B12 properly, you’ll need a doctor’s help to boost your B12 to safe levels.

Vitamin B12 deficiency symptom

Describing your symptoms to your doctor may give him a clue that you could have low levels of vitamin B12. But you’ll need blood tests to confirm it. Some people can easily fix low levels of B12 by simply changing their diet, while others will need a doctor’s help.

Effects of Medication for vitamin B12 absorption

Some diabetes medications, some antibiotics, antacids and some seizure medications drugs can interfere with your body’s ability to break down vitamin B12 from food.

Treatments for B12 deficiency

For some people, taking a vitamin supplement or eating more animal products (or both) can help boost their B12 levels back to where they should be. But other people may have a severe deficiency or may have an underlying health condition that causes their B12 to drop.

Doctors can treat a B12 deficiency in several ways. If your symptoms are mild or moderate, you may start with an oral B12 supplement, which you take once a day; a vitamin B12 nasal spray used weekly; or vitamin B12 injections, which you need less frequently.

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