Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 / Cobalamin

Causes and therapy of B12 deficiency?

Vitamin B12 is also called cobalamin and is involved in a number of important processes in our body. It is necessary for the maturation and differentiation of red blood cells and for building nerve cells in the spinal cord, and it performs important functions in metabolism. Although it is water-soluble, vitamin B12 can be stored in our liver for several years.

How do I recognize symptoms that indicate a vitamin B12 deficiency?

Since our body can store vitamin B12 to cover its needs for several years, a deficiency only becomes noticeable quite late. The associated symptoms derive from the function of the vitamin: one of the earlier symptoms can be anemia, because the red blood cells cannot be properly formed and differentiated when there is a deficiency. In addition to the typical signs of anemia such as fatigue, weakness, pallor or difficulty concentrating, neurological symptoms can also occur with a vitamin B12 deficiency. Since B12 is essential for building nerve cells (myelin synthesis), a deficiency can manifest as sensory disturbances, numbness, unsteady gait and bladder dysfunction, but depressive moods can also be signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms

• Disorders of blood formation, specifically the formation of erythrocytes
• Neurological-psychiatric disorders, irritability, depressive moods, memory disorders, dementia
• Neuropathies, neurological deficits with paresthesias (pins and needles)
• Epithelial changes in the mucosa of the digestive tract
• Pallor, weakness, fatigue

How is vitamin B12 absorbed in our body?

Vitamin B12 is actively absorbed in the upper section of the small intestine, but this requires a protein, intrinsic factor. This protein is formed in the mucosal cells of the stomach and binds the B vitamin in order to transport it into the body.

How can I get vitamin B12 from food? Which foods contain vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is formed by bacteria that produce the vitamin in the large intestine of herbivores or in the forestomach of ruminants. A varied diet that also includes animal products such as meat (especially offal, liver), oily fish, eggs or dairy products usually covers the daily requirement of vitamin B12 well.

Vitamin B12 and a vegan diet

Various types of algae, such as nori (red algae), can form B12. Fermented foods such as sauerkraut or kimchi also contain vitamin B12 as a result of lactic acid fermentation. Opinions differ as to whether the daily requirement of vitamin B12 can be met through a purely plant-based diet.

What causes vitamin B12 deficiency?

A one-sided diet can be one reason for a vitamin B12 deficiency. Since the body has a certain storage capacity, a deficiency only becomes noticeable after a longer period of poor nutrition. Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms are varied and can be divided into four groups:

1. Diet-related
2. Malabsorption (disorders in the absorption of vitamin B12)
3. Intestinal diseases
4. Disorders in the utilization of vitamin B12

What inhibits the absorption of vitamin B12?

Furthermore, a B12 deficiency can develop if intrinsic factor cannot be formed in the stomach, or not in sufficient quantities, for example due to gastritis. However, absorption can also be reduced if there is inflammation of the small intestine, for example in Crohn's disease.

How is vitamin B12 deficiency treated? Vitamin B12 therapy

In principle, the cause of the deficiency must be eliminated. If the cause lies in poor nutrition, targeted nutritional counseling can look at how the deficiency can be compensated – even without giving up a purely vegetarian or vegan diet. In the case of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract that prevents the absorption of B12, the focus is on having it clarified and treated by a physician.

Why vitamin B12 as an infusion? Vitamin B12 injections?

In the case of existing inflammation in the stomach or small intestine, the absorption of orally taken vitamin B12 may be limited. With intravenous administration, vitamin B12 is given directly into the vein and is not absorbed via the digestive tract. At Natura Heilpraxis in Berlin, in addition to vitamin B12, you will also find a range of other individually tailored infusions. Source – Vitamin deficiency: one in four older people undersupplied with vitamin B12 (Deutsches Ärzteblatt)Vitamin B12 deficiency (DocCheck Flexikon)