HOW TO DETECT A VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY?
Seniors are one of the main groups at risk of Vitamin B12 deficiency. It is estimated that 10-15% of them suffer from a deficiency. 3 As we age, our production of hydrochloric acid decreases, leading to impaired digestion and less absorption of Vitamin B12 from food. This condition is called atrophic gastritis and affects between 10-30% of seniors. 3 Additionally, people with low hydrochloric acid levels are susceptible to increased levels of gut bacteria that consume even more Vitamin B12. Seniors unable to absorb enough Vitamin B12 through their diet must obtain it through oral or injectable supplementation. As we will see, Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to major health problems in older adults.
Who is affected?
People with digestive disorders may have difficulty obtaining Vitamin B12 from their diet. Individuals with celiac disease or Crohn's disease may not absorb enough Vitamin B12 during digestion. Furthermore, individuals who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery are at risk of Vitamin B12 deficiency due to the loss of hydrochloric acid-producing cells.
People with pernicious anemia also have difficulty absorbing Vitamin B12. Individuals with this condition lack the intrinsic factor necessary to complete Vitamin B12 absorption. 5 These individuals typically require their Vitamin B12 supplementation by injection or high-dose oral routes.
Vegetarians constitute another high-risk group for Vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is present in our diet only from animal-derived foods: fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and dairy products. Plant-based foods do not provide Vitamin B12 to humans; some plant-based products like sea algae are believed to contain Vitamin B12, but in fact, they contain only a pseudovitamin B12 that does not offer the same benefits.
Groups most at risk of Vitamin B12 deficiency include:
- Seniors (estimated 10-15% have a B12 deficiency)
- People with celiac disease and Crohn's disease
- Patients who have undergone gastric surgery (nearly 1/3 are deficient)
- Vegetarians
- People with neuropsychiatric disorders
- People with chronic fatigue
- Antibiotic users (can interfere with absorption)
Signs of Vitamin B12 deficiency?
Vitamin B12 deficiency can be confirmed by a healthcare professional by analyzing homocysteine and methylmalonic acid levels in the blood. 7 Several signs may indicate that tests should be performed.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency include:
- Decreased red blood cell count (megaloblastic anemia)
- Decreased energy/easy fatigue/weakness
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath, palpitations, tingling, numbness,
- Cognitive changes: concentration problems, memory loss, irritability
- Diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, flatulence
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite/weight loss
- Visual disturbances
- Sore tongue
*Note: do not self-diagnose.
Benefits of Vitamin B12 Supplementation
Studies have shown that supplementation is very effective in treating Vitamin B12 deficiency and associated symptoms. Although often presented as an "energy booster," there is only anecdotal evidence that this vitamin can work as such in people who are not deficient in Vitamin B12. 8 However, for deficient individuals, the results of Vitamin B12 supplementation can be dramatic; it can treat the many symptoms of a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Supplementation can help treat megaloblastic anemia (decreased red blood cells and low hemoglobin levels), decreased energy, easy fatigue, and cognitive problems such as concentration difficulties, mood swings, and memory impairment.
Some of these conditions, if not treated promptly, can be permanent. Due to the severity of the effects of a deficiency, some recommend that all
Elderly patients should be screened for their Vitamin B12 levels. 9 Vitamin B12 has also been studied to help prevent reactions in people allergic to sulfites. 10
Vitamin B12, a member of the B vitamin family, is an important nutrient for maintaining human health. Vitamin B12 is involved in many metabolic functions, including red blood cell formation, neurological function, DNA synthesis, and the metabolization of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. 1
Conclusion
Although the majority of us get enough of this vitamin through our daily diet, several groups representing up to 15% of the global population are likely to suffer from a deficiency that can have serious consequences. 2