Vitamin B12 Deficiency: These Are The Symptoms, And Here Is How To Treat It

Daily intake of vitamins is very important for the proper functioning of the body. However, due to their effectiveness on the most important factors in the human body – the most important include vitamin B12 and folic acid.

Lack of vitamin B12 in the body can cause many complications, among which the most often is megaloblastic anemia. This very complex and valuable vitamin is indispensable for the normal development of red blood cells, and nerve cells.

Red blood cells are being formed in the bone marrow. In a case of lack of vitamin B12, they are immature, of irregular shape and form, and unable to perform their major function: transport of oxygen to the organs and tissues.

Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms
The first visible symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are amplified fears or anxiety, concentration problems, hair and skin (eczema, dermatitis, fungal), malaise and fatigue, and unpleasant muscle aches.

However, severe deficiency may lead to nervous disorders and even damage to the nerves of the spinal cord, causing paralysis. Anemia is also likely to happen, which develops slowly and takes a time to reach a heavy degree. Everything starts with sudden weakness which is further accompanied by fatigue and faster heart pounding.

This condition is often manifested by loss of appetite, stomach pain, bloating, and diarrhea stools. Burning sensation on the tongue is also possible, especially when taking some sour foods. Many people report having depressive changes like memory disorders or paresthesia of extremities.

In case the problem is not resolved on time, the condition may worsen and even cause brain damage and bleeding. The increase of the homocysteine levels is also possible, increasing the risk of coronary disease and heart attack.

Vitamin B12 daily dose – DOSAGE
According to its chemical structure, one of the most complex vitamin, and the only one that contains the essential mineral elements and cobalt, is very important for the biological activity. It is crucial for the production of the genetic material DNA and RNA, as well as myelin, which provides our protective sheath around the nerves.

Here is how to properly dose vitamin B12 by age in a day:
Babies from one to three years -to take 0.9 mcg,
Younger children aged four to eight years- to take 1.2 mcg
Children from nine to thirteen– take up to 1.8 mcg,
Children aged fourteen and older – to 2.4 mcg,
Pregnant women should consume 2.6 mcg,
Breastfeeding women should take 2.8 mcg.
Adults can carry it up to 3 mcg.

Suppose that in our body there is nearly 5mg vitamin b12 (other sources indicate significantly lower quantities of less than 2 mg), provided that during the day one loses about two and a half micrograms.

Most people get enough vitamin B12 through food by eating meat, milk, cheese, and eggs on a regular basis.  The proper absorption is an important factor as well, which depends on the health of the intestinal tract.