Vitamin B12 – deficiency, excess, supplement prices, sources of vitamin B12. What is its role in the body?

Proven content

Vitamin B12 is a chemical compound that regulates the production of red blood cells and other body cells in the body. It is found mainly in animal products, so people who practice vegetarianism may suffer from its deficiency. Vitamin B12 can also be taken as a dietary supplement.

The other roles of vitamin B12 in the body are:

1. producing red blood cells
2. improving the functioning of the nervous system,
3. supporting a good mood,
4. lowering the level of lipids in the blood,
5. cell synthesis (mainly bone marrow).

Vitamin B12 is stored in the liver and bone marrow, and then distributed throughout the body with the blood.

1. Read about the pros and cons of vegetarianism

Vitamin B12 and folic acid

Large amounts of folic acid can mask the harmful effects of vitamin B12 deficiency, correcting megaloblastic anemia or neurological damage. Moreover, the studies conducted suggest that high levels of folate in the blood serum may not only mask vitamin B12 deficiency, but may also exacerbate anemia and worsen cognitive symptoms related to vitamin BXNUMX deficiency.

1. Also read about the symptoms of anemia: symptoms of anemia.

Certain groups of people are particularly vulnerable to its deficiency:

1. elder people – Vitamin B12 deficiency in this group is caused by gastritis. This condition occurs in about 10-30% of seniors and reduces the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which reduces the absorption of vitamin B12,
2. people with gastrointestinal disorders – people with diseases such as celiac disease and Crohn’s disease may have problems absorbing vitamin B12 from food,
3. people with megaloblastic anemia – it is developing anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency in the body, it is not properly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Megaloblastic anemia is usually treated intramuscularly with vitamin B12. However, about 1% of oral vitamin B12 can be absorbed passively, suggesting that high oral vitamin B12 doses may also be an effective treatment.
4. people who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery – as a result of removing part of the stomach or the distal part of the ileum (the end part of the small intestine), vitamin B12 absorption from the gastrointestinal tract may be impaired. People undergoing these surgical procedures should be monitored preoperatively and postoperatively for several nutrient deficiencies, including vitamin B12 deficiency,
5. vegetarians Orthodox vegetarians and vegans are more likely to be deficient in vitamin B12 than lacto and nonvegetarians, as natural food sources of vitamin B12 are mainly found in animal foods.
6. pregnant and breastfeeding women who follow a strict vegetarian diet and their children – vitamin B12 crosses the placenta and is present in breast milk. Vitamin B 12 deficiency in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, low birth weight (<2500 g) and neural tube defects (NTD). Infants of women who follow a vegetarian diet may have very low levels of vitamin B12 in the blood. Undetected and untreated vitamin B12 deficiency in infants can cause severe and permanent neurological damage. Vegetarian and vegan women are advised to take supplements containing this vitamin during pregnancy and lactation to help ensure their baby develops properly.  

For optimal vitamin B12 levels, order XeniVIT Vitamin B12 Active Xenico. The supplement meets the body’s daily requirement for this vitamin, and one package is enough for up to 3 months of supplementation.

1. Also check what is characterized by a vegan diet

Vitamin B12 – deficiency symptoms

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can take years to develop and the diagnosis may be incorrect. Occasionally, vitamin B12 deficiency it is confused with folate deficiency. Importantly, low levels of vitamin B12 lower levels of folic acid. These are the main symptoms of vitamin deficiency. B12:

1. skin that is pale or jaundiced – people with a vitamin B12 deficiency often look pale or have a slight yellow tint to the skin and whites of their eyes (a condition called jaundice). This happens when a lack of vitamin B12 causes problems with the body’s production of red blood cells. It should be noted that Vit. B12 plays a vital role in DNA production needed for the production of red blood cells. As a result, blood cells are abnormal and fail to divide. This creates a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia. This condition weakens the red blood cells, which the body breaks down faster. When the liver breaks down red blood cells, it releases bilirubin. Bilirubin is a slightly red or brown substance that is produced by the liverwhen it breaks down old blood cells. Large amounts of bilirubin give the skin and eyes a yellow tinge,
2. constant feeling of fatigue – vitamin B12 deficiency causes that the human body is unable to produce a sufficient number of red blood cells to effectively transport oxygen throughout the body. This can make you feel tired and weak.
3. Nerve damage – Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause pins and needles in the limbs, especially the hands and feet. This is because vit. B12 plays a significant role in proper functioning of the nervous systemand its deficiency leads to problems with nerve conduction. In addition, it helps to form myelin, a protective coating that protects the nerves and prevents them from being damaged. If there is insufficient myelin production, then a tingling or stinging sensation may occur.
4. mobility problems – underdiagnosis and untreated damage to the nervous system caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency can cause changes in the way you walk and move, and even affect your maintaining the correct balance and coordination. Seniors, in whom vitamin B12 deficiency is the most common, are particularly at risk,
5. oral problems – inadequate vitamin B12 levels in the body can cause inflammation of the tongue, mouth ulcers, a feeling of tingling and pricking on the tongue, as well as burning and itching,

1. dizziness – due to an inadequate amount of red blood cells, too little oxygen is delivered to the body, and as a result, there is dizziness and shortness of breath,
2. visual disturbances – due to vitamin B12 deficiency, the optic nerve may be damaged, and this may lead to visual disturbances,
3. mood disorders – people with vitamin B12 deficiency are characterized by a changeable mood, they may even develop depression,
4. increase in body temperature – quite rare, but a symptom of vitamin deficiency. B12 is a sudden onset of high body temperature, so far no reasons for this relationship have been found,
5. During infancy, symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include lack of development, movement disorders, developmental delays and megaloblastic anemia.

Depression can affect everyone, read about how depression manifests itself in seniors.

Vitamin B12 – excess

So far, no side effects of excessive vitamin B12 intake have been identified. Some people who only had allergic symptoms due to supplementation with a high dose of this vitamin.

This is because vitamin B12 is produced by bacteria, which is why it is sometimes called “The vitamin of dirt”. Good hygiene protects us against many infectious and parasitic diseases, but it also causes B12 deficiencies.

It turns out that wild monkeys that eat no meat, dairy or eggs at all, but only a little insects – have very high levels of B12 in their blood. However, when they end up in zoos, where it is clean and sterile, they run out of it, resulting in many diseases. That’s why they get vitamin B12 in tablets.

Vitamin B12 and homocysteine ​​levels

A very important function of vitamin B12 is also the regulation of homocysteine ​​levels. Recent research proves that high levels of homocysteine ​​are the cause of the development of atherosclerosis, which may lead to a potentially fatal heart attack or stroke.

1. How can you prevent a stroke?

Homocysteine ​​is a common by-product of changes in the body. It grows when we supply the body with large amounts of methionine – found mainly in meat. It is the consumption of excess meat that is the main cause of the elevated blood levels of homocysteine, which can also be caused by:

1. smoking cigarettes,
2. eating large amounts of junk food
3. diseases such as renal failure and Addison-Biermer anemia.

Homocysteine ​​is such an important substance that by measuring its level, you can accurately predict the risk of human death. The amount can be reduced by taking not only vitamin B12, but also vitamin B6 and folic acid.

Vitamin B12 and high cholesterol

Many people – despite high cholesterol levels – do not suffer from atherosclerosis. There are also those in whom the disease progresses, although its level is slightly elevated. As it turns out, the problem stems from the fact that cholesterol sticks to the walls of blood vessels when, for example, high levels of homocysteine ​​will damage them.

For this reason, every patient at risk of atherosclerosis should have homocysteine ​​levels checked, not just cholesterol. Let us remember that heart attacks and strokes caused by atherosclerosis are still the main killers of Poles.

It is possible to determine the bioavailability of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 metabolism – you can order a genetic test online and perform it by mail order, by collecting the material for the test yourself and sending it to the laboratory.

Only a sufficiently high dose – for example 500 µg or the intramuscular form, will be effective here. Secondly, it is important that the preparation fulfills its basic function – it reduces the level of homocysteine. It is known that its increase is caused by deficiencies of vitamin B12, B6, biotin and folic acid – the ideal preparation consists of these elements. Third, vitamin B12 must be in the form of methylcobalamin or cyanocobalamin.

If you want to supplement the level of vitamin B12 in your body, you can order one of the dietary supplements available on Medonet Market:

1. vitamin B12 methylcobalamin 500 mcg Terranova,
2. Vitamin B Complex Health Labs – a complex of B vitamins,
3. dietary supplement with vitamin B12 by SOLHERBS, suitable for vegans and vegetarians,
4. N ° 1 Complex B – a set of B vitamins that will comprehensively support your body,
5. Vitamin B12 in a natural form – it is a good solution for people who want to support the functioning of the nervous system and reduce the constant feeling of fatigue,
6. Vegan Health Daily Oral Spray for vegans and vegetarians, which contains not only vitamin B12, but also vitamin D3, iron and iodine,
7. DO! Active DOUBLE PACK – daily dose of B vitamins,
8. High Five B-Complex Viridian – a supplement that also contains other B vitamins,
9. dietary supplement with vitamin B12, which affects not only the proper functioning of the nervous system, but also the work of the brain.

Vitamin B12 – supplement prices

The price of a set of vitamin B12 injections can be as high as PLN 200. Dietary supplements in the form of tablets are much cheaper. A package containing 100 capsules (500 µg) costs about PLN 15.

Interactions with other drugs

Vitamin B12 can come in interactions with certain medications. In addition, several types of medications can adversely affect the levels of vitamin B12 in the body. Here are some examples:

1. chloramphenicol – is a bacteriostatic antibiotic. It may interfere with red blood cell response to vitamin B12 supplementation in some patients.
2. proton pump inhibitors – proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole and lansoprazole are used to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease. These drugs can interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12 from food. slowing down the release of stomach acid. However, there is conflicting evidence as to whether the use of a proton pump inhibitor affects vitamin B12 levels. As a precaution, healthcare professionals should monitor vitamin B12 levels in patients taking proton pump inhibitors over an extended period of time.
3. H2 receptor antagonists – Histamine H2 receptor antagonists used to treat peptic ulcer disease include cimetidine, famotidine and ranitidine. These drugs can interfere with absorption Vitamin B12 from food by slowing the release of hydrochloric acid into the stomach. Although H2 receptor antagonists have the potential to cause vitamin B12 deficiency, there is no evidence that they promote vitamin B12 deficiency, even after prolonged use. Clinically significant effects may be more likely in patients with inadequate vitamin B12 stores, especially those who use H2 receptor antagonists continuously for more than 2 years.
4. metformin – this is a hypoglycemic agent used to treat diabetes. It may reduce vitamin B12 absorption, possibly through changes in the gut, increased bacterial overgrowth, or changes in the calcium-dependent uptake of vitamin B12 by the ileum cells.
5. vitamin C supplements (ascorbic acid) – taking vitamin B12 with vitamin C may reduce the absorption of vitamin B12 in the body. To avoid this interaction, you should take vitamin C for two or more hours after taking vitamin B12.

Also check: Diet for reflux disease

Vegan and vegetarian sources of vitamin B12

Vegetarians and vegans are especially at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. By not consuming meat and animal products, they deprive themselves of the natural source of this vitamin. Therefore, they need to know in which other products there are high values ​​of this vitamin.

Products containing vitamin B12 for vegans:

1. almond milk enriched with vitamin B12,
2. coconut milk enriched with vitamin B12,
3. yeast,
4. soy milk, original, enriched with vitamin B12,
5. ready-to-eat cereal.

Vitamin B12 products for vegetarians:

1. low fat yogurt
2. low fat milk,
3. cottage cheese,
4. eggs,
5. swiss cheese.

The editorial board recommends:

1. Vitamins – role, importance, supplementation
2. Avitaminosis – causes, symptoms, treatment
3. Vitamins and minerals for the skin

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