- Vitamin b12 (Cyanocobalamin) this is a type of anemia where the body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells because of low vitamin B12.
- RBC cells transport oxygen throughout your body. The body needs vitamins including B12 to make them.
- When people don’t have enough red blood cells, the body doesn’t get oxygen.
- Anemia causes tiredness, weakness, and breathlessness.
Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia
- People get vitamin B12 deficiency anemia if they don’t get enough vitamin B12 in their diet from foods like milk, eggs, and meat.
- People more likely to be low in this vitamin if he is older, or eat a vegetarian diet. It can also happen if your body can’t absorb enough vitamins from the foods you eat.
- Intestines absorb vitamin B12 from food. A protein “intrinsic factor” in the stomach helps the body to absorb it. When you don’t have enough vitamin b12, then people have a type of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia also called “pernicious anemia.”
People get pernicious anemia if:
- They have an autoimmune disease that makes the immune system attack the cells present in the stomach that produce intrinsic factors.
- After surgery, remove the part of the stomach, where an intrinsic factor is made.
The body is unable to absorb enough vitamin B12 if:
- People have a disease that affects how nutrients are absorbed in their intestines, such as Crohn’s disease, HIV, or some infections.
- Presence of certain bad bacteria in intestines.
- Medicines, such as antibiotics and anti-seizure drugs.
- People infected with a tapeworm.
SIGN AND SYMPTOMS
- People feel tired and short of breath.
- Skin looks pale or yellow.
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss
- Numbness or tingling sensation in hands and feet
- Chest pain.
- Tachycardia
- Myalgia
- Mood swings
- Confused
INVESTIGATION
- Complete blood count – CBC checks the size and number of red blood cells. If people are low in vitamin B12, the red blood cells won’t look normal. They will be much bigger and shaped differently than healthy ones.
- Vitamin B12 level – This test checks the level of vitamin b12 in your bloodstream.
- Intrinsic factor antibodies – immune system attack intrinsic factor. If people have pernicious anemia,
- Schilling test – This procedure uses a radioactive form of B12 to see the body has enough intrinsic factors.
- Methylmalonic acid level (MMA) –This test evaluates the value of MMA in your blood. Raise the level of MMA rises to decrease the level of vitamin B12.
VITAMIN B12 RICH FOODS
- Clams – These are the best sources of vitamin B-12. They are low in fat, high in protein, and an excellent source of iron and other B vitamins.
- Beef liver – It may be an acquired taste, high in vitamin B-12, protein, iron, and vitamin A.
- Fortified breakfast cereals – are great sources of vitamin B-12. Different brands may contain different amounts.
- Salmon – Salmon fish rich in vitamin B-12. Salmon is also loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. These are unsaturated fats help to prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering the cholesterol level, reducing inflammation, and lowering blood pressure.
- Trout –Trout is a nutritional powerhouse. It is high in protein, other B vitamins, and many minerals.
- Milk – Milk is a good source of B-12 and also a source of calcium and vitamin D.
- Yogurt – It is enriched in vitamin B-12, calcium, vitamin D, and beneficial probiotics.
- Ham – Ham contains all the vitamins B except folate. It is lower in fat, calories, and cholesterol level than other meats.
- Eggs – Eggs are not as high in vitamin B-12 as meat and fish, but they are a decent source. They also pack a nice punch of protein.
- Chicken breast – It is inexpensive and provides some vitamin B-12, and high in niacin, vitamin B thought to help lower cholesterol level.
Vegan Vitamin B-12 foods
- Plant foods don’t naturally contain vitamin B-12. If people are vegetarian, add fortified vegan foods to your diet. These may include:
- Breakfast cereals
- Nondairy milk
- Meat substitutes
- Rice
- Nutritional yeast
- Energy bars
