What Causes Low Vitamin B12?

Depression, trouble focusing, insomnia…

Vitamin B12 deficiency causes many health problems in the body. Decreased vitamin B12 can be increased to normal levels with external supplementation. To increase this vitamin naturally, it is necessary to have a balanced diet with animal foods.

The human body needs many vitamins and minerals to maintain its healthy functioning. Each of these vitamins, named with letters of the alphabet, has a different effect on health. Vitamin B12, which we have heard about frequently lately and which many people suffer from deficiency, is one of them…

Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Specialist Dr., a faculty member at the University of Health Sciences, explains the questions about vitamin B12, which causes many problems from fatigue to forgetfulness in case of deficiency. We talked to Şerife Nur Boysan.

''Vitamin B12 is responsible for the synthesis of proteins within the cell. "In particular, DNA ensures the transmission of some amino acids in the production of RNA."
Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Specialist Dr., who is a faculty member at the University of Health Sciences. Şerife Nur Boysan

What Does B12 Do?

Expert states that B12 is from the group of water-soluble vitamins. Dr. Boysan draws attention to the importance of B12 by saying, "It especially plays a role in the biochemical reactions necessary for the proliferation of blood-forming cells in the bone marrow and cells in the central nervous system and protein synthesis in the body." Specialist Dr. Boysan explains the role of B12 in the body as follows:

“It is responsible for the synthesis of proteins within the cell. "In particular, DNA provides the transmission of some amino acids in the production of RNA."

It is Detected by Blood Tests

Due to vitamin B12 deficiency, the number of people taking external supplements based on physician advice is not small. Specialist Dr. Boysan explains this situation as follows:

“Due to the fact that we have been doing blood tests very frequently lately, we are detecting B12 levels below the reference ranges of the normal test kit without any clinical symptoms. Severe neurological conditions such as megaloblastic anemia and spinal cord damage, which are very typical clinical manifestations, may not occur in patients. Since it was not examined so frequently and replacement was not done so intensively before, more severe clinical conditions could occur.”

However, this does not mean that B12 deficiency does not cause any symptoms other than these severe consequences. Specialist Dr. Boysan says, "There may be some symptoms that can be seen in many diseases, such as weakness, forgetfulness or restlessness from time to time."

In case of vitamin B12 deficiency, depression, concentration problems, loss of consciousness, insomnia and even balance problems may occur from time to time.

For what reasons does B12 decrease in the body?

So why does B12 level decrease in the body? There are multiple reasons for this. The most common causes, Expert. Dr. We learn from Boysan:

“Especially after B12 is taken with the diet, there are problems in its absorption from the gastrointestinal system and its participation in the circulation. For example, in cases such as atrophic gastritis or gastroenteritis caused by helicobacter pylori, or frequent use of gastroprotective drugs to reduce stomach acidity, B12 may decrease in the body because it cannot be absorbed from the gastrointestinal system. “This situation can also be seen in those who are vegetarian or follow a very strict vegan diet.”

Considering age, the need may increase in people over 65 years of age, as absorption in the gastrointestinal tract decreases. Additionally, during pregnancy, if the mother has B12 deficiency, this may also occur in the baby. It is necessary to take precautions against this condition, which causes developmental disorders in newborns.

How is B12 Deficiency Corrected?

People who are found to have vitamin B12 deficiency following blood tests are recommended intramuscular injections or drug therapy, depending on the situation. This process varies depending on the patient's other health problems and condition. Depending on the course of their disease, there are also people who need to use B12 supplements for life.

Except for certain diseases, it is not necessary to take external supplements to keep the B12 level at normal levels in a normal healthy person. B12 can also be obtained through food. Specialist underlines that for this purpose, it is necessary to consume especially animal foods. Dr. Boysan says, "If you consume two-three portions of red meat a week, three-five eggs a week, a bowl of yoghurt or a glass of milk every day, that is, if you have a normal and balanced diet, there is no need for any extra supplements."

SOURCE: TRTHABER