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Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs when the body lacks vitamin. Vitamin B12 is best eaten through food, and one of the reasons a person does not consume it is that vitamin B12 is found primarily in animal feed sources . This means that vegetarians and vegetarians could be at risk unless they take their vitamin B12 from vegetable sources. However, another cause of vitamin B12 deficiency is pernicious anemia.
This condition is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency and develops if the body can not absorb vitamin B12 foods as it would normally.
Bupa explains, "Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disease, caused by antibodies to your immune system that attack your own body tissue, which it confuses with foreigners. This causes inflammation of the lining of the stomach.
"Normally, a protein called intrinsic factor, which is produced in your stomach, binds to the vitamin B12 released from the food you have eaten, and then carries that vitamin through your intestinal wall into your bloodstream.
"If you have a pernicious anemia, the stomach cells that produce the intrinsic factor may be damaged, which means that vitamin B12 can no longer be absorbed and that a deficiency develops, resulting in anemia . "
The exact reasons why pernicious anemia develops are not well understood, but they tend to affect women more than men and can be done in families.
A vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to serious health complications if left untreated, affecting the heart and movements, so it is very important to recognize the symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms of vitamin B12
Bupa lists six signs to watch for. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor:
- Feeling very tired
- Shortness of breath even after a little exercise
- Heart palpitations
- Headache
- Reduced appetite
- A painful mouth and tongue
He adds: "If you suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency, you may also look pale or yellowish (you feel a yellowish tinge on the skin and whites of the eyes)."
Vitamin B12 is responsible for the production of red blood cells and maintenance of the nervous system, a lack of vitamin B12 can also cause nerve related symptoms.
Movements and sensations in various parts of the body can be affected, with pins and needles and a touch sensitivity associated with the signs.
Treatment of pernicious anemia
If a person does not consume enough vitamin B12, they may be advised by a general practitioner to eat more vitamin B12 fortified foods or to take supplements regularly.
Vitamin B12 injections may also be recommended, and for people suffering from pernicious anemia, injections may be needed for the rest of their lives.
Experts say that adults aged 19 to 64 need about 1.5 micrograms (mg) of vitamin B12 a day and that, except in case of pernicious anemia, you should be able to get some in your diet.
Some foods contain vitamin B12 and Harvard Health Publishing, part of Harvard Medical School, offers the "B12 Food List" on its website.
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