Vitamin B12 is a water soluble nutrient. Unlike many water soluble vitamins, B12 will not be passed in your urine. Instead, your body stores B12 in your internal organs. Almost all of the B12 in the human body is stored in the liver. Therefore in order to acquire a b12 insufficiency, an individual would have to consume low quantities of b12 for a prolonged period of time. The fact is, nearly all professionals’ state that people who have b12 deficiencies have either not ingested sufficient b12 or had absorption difficulties for 5 to 6 years prior to any kind of symptoms start to show up.
There are many consequences of having low B12 in your body. Severe neurological problems are very frequent in those with a B12 deficiency. Signs and symptoms can be so dreadful they are mixed up with Alzheimer’s. Unattended, this may lead to permanent nerve damage.
Symptoms of low b12 begin to appear long before serious neurological issues. Earlier symptoms of a B12 deficiency include a racing heart, listlessness, extreme exhaustion, lightheadedness, paleness, sore tongue, bleeding gums, gastrointestinal problems and a loss of appetite. As things get more severe, neurological concerns begin to take place. Signs of neurological damage as a result of lower levels of B12 are confusion, melancholy, tingling extremities, dexterity issues, absent mindedness, impulse control and dementia.
Due to the wide variety of signs and symptoms, a b12 deficit may be confused for something different or even go undiagnosed. It is not uncommon for older people to think that some of the early signs of low b12 levels are simply normal signs of aging.
What most people do not understand is just how important it can be to detect low levels of B12. Clinical research has shown us that low levels of vitamin B12 can ultimately lead to severe illnesses. One illness that can develop is cardiovascular disease. This is because when B12 levels dip, the level of homocysteine in the body increases. Homocysteine is a toxic protein which has been linked to the development of chronic disease. Luckily, research shows that people that have elevated homosysteine levels can take b12 shots and rectify the situation.
While pretty much anyone can develop lower levels of B12, there are specific groups that have a greater risk. B12 is found in fish, dairy and meat. There is no non-synthetic plant source for B12. This places vegetarians and especially vegans at very high risk. There are also certain conditions that lead to malabsorption. Those who have had bariatric surgery to lose weight or other stomach surgery are at high risk. An intestinal overgrowth of bacterium or tapeworms can also make it difficult for your body to absorb B12. As you get older, you are more likely to develop a B12 insufficiency.
If you are in a high-risk group, using supplemental b12 can be a good idea. You should also ask your doctor to test your B12 levels.
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Word Count Appx. : 484 | Article Views 668 Published 24-08-2010