Who Are At Risk of Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Vitamin B12, being one of the B complex vitamins, is necessary in the metabolic functions of the body and the conversion of food to energy. However, B12 is also necessary in the replication of DNA, formation of new and health red blood cells, and maintaining a healthy nervous system. In fact, B12 deficiency is associated with various conditions and diseases, such as fatigue, irritability, pernicious anemia, and neurodegenerative diseases. These can prevent you from performing your daily activities properly and negatively affect your quality of life. Moreover, neurodegenerative diseases are described by CDC as rapidly progressive and always fatal. B12 deficiency is something that you should not take for granted as its symptoms may not appear for years. So, who are at risk of B12 deficiency?

The elderly are more likely to develop Vitamin B12 deficiency, and this is generally because they are more likely to develop atrophic gastritis. Atrophic gastritis is an inflammation and thinning of the lining of the stomach, and it is usually associated with the bacterium Helicobactor pylori. The inflammation caused by the bacterium reduces the capability of the stomach to produce acid, which leads to malabsorption of the vitamin. Around 10 percent to 30 percent of individuals who are 60 years of age and older experience atrophic gastritis. In addition, according to CDC, the frail elderly are at risk of developing deficiency of the vitamin because of malnutrition caused by certain factors, such as cognitive dysfunction, social isolation, mobility limitations, and poverty.

People taking certain medications such as metformin, PPIs (proton-pump inhibitors) and other acid-suppressing drugs are also at risk of developing Vitamin B12 deficiency. Metformin is usually taken by people with diabetes, while PPIs are usually taken by people with stomach ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Vegans are also at risk of having Vitamin B12 deficiency. This is primarily because the main sources of the vitamin are animal foods, such as beef liver, shellfish, poultry, and milk. There is a notion that vegans can get the vitamin from plant sources like seaweed and fermented soy. Indeed, these plant foods contain the vitamin, but they actually also contain B12 analogs called cobamides, which block the intake of the vitamin.

If you belong to either of these groups of people or even if you are not, it is important to get evaluated for Vitamin B12 deficiency. While your diet may contain the vitamin, you should also consider taking a Vitamin B12 dietary supplement as certain conditions can prevent your body from absorbing the right amounts of the vitamin it needs to stay healthy.

Get more tips on how to stay healthy and improve your quality of life at Choice Nutrition Supplements.

For further information please contact:
Scott Hayes
321-972-3932
pr@choicenutritionsupplements.com
http://choicenutritionsupplements.com

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