Info about Vitamins

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Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Anemia

Vitamin deficiencies often go unnoticed until we have severe symptoms of the problem, but as a matter of fact you could be suffering of a deficiency right now without even knowing about it. One of the common types of deficiency problems involves vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 or cobalamin plays an important function in the health of our brain and nervous system, but it is also important in the formation of blood. This vitamin belongs to the family of B vitamins.

One of the main causes of a vitamin B12 deficiency is pernicious anemia, a disease that destroy cells in the stomach that are need to later process B12 in our bodies. Letting this problem go untreated can lead to complications which can cause a permanent damage in the brain and nervous system. Look out for these initial symptoms of vitamin deficiency:

Fatigue
Depression
Poor Memory

Also be on the lookout for symptoms of vitamin B12 anemia, which include normal anemia, gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms.

People who are following a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle are at the same time avoiding all the vitamin B12 which is found in animal sources. And since B12 is not commonly found in vegetable sources they may develop a deficiency over a period of time. If you are following such diet regimes, it is good to get checked once in a while and talk with your doctor about alternatives to prevent complications from arising.

Supplementation can help you if you aren’t getting enough B12 through your diet, but you can also complement your current diet with fortified cereals, there are special foods that are fortified with all the necessary vitamins for a healthy life. This is a great option that will not require a change in lifestyle that you don’t really want. As with anything health-related, prevention is key.