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
Scott Hayes
321-972-3932
pr@choicenutritionsupplements.com
http://choicenutritionsupplements.com
