Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency and How To Avoid Them
There are many possible causes of B12 deficiency. Some possible reasons for a deficiency include not getting enough vitamin B12 from the diet. Some people are not able to absorb B12 adequately even if they are eating foods that contain the nutrient due to a lack of intrinsic factor.
People taking certain types of drugs are at an increased risk of becoming deficient in vitamin B12. Others may not absorb enough of the nutrient due to alcohol consumption and hereditary factors. The reasons for the deficiency should be determined in order to figure out the best way to supplement the nutrient.
Certain medical conditions are causes of B12 deficiency. These include atrophic gastritis where the stomach lining is inflamed and thin and celiac disease which leads to problems with absorption due to sensitivity to wheat and grains. Crohns disease is an inflammatory condition that can affect the stomach and intestine and also can cause a B12 deficiency. Pernicious anemia leads the body to not produce enough intrinsic factor to break down nutrients in food.
Other causes or signs of B12 deficiency may be due to surgeries or other interventions. People who have had gastric bypass surgery are at risk for developing a B12 deficiency. Medications such as stomach acid reducing drugs, antibiotics, birth control pills, sleeping aids, anti-cancer drugs, and medications for diabetes can also decrease absorption of vitamin B12 from food or oral vitamin supplements. There may also be absorption problems due to the presence of a bacterial infection or tapeworms in the stomach or intestine.
Some people don’t get enough vitamin B12 in their diet. In this case the causes of B12 deficiency are fixed with oral supplements. Vitamin B12 is found most commonly in animal products, so vegetarians and vegans are at risk of not getting enough of the nutrient. The elderly may not eat enough foods rich in vitamin B12, and babies and toddlers will develop a deficiency more quickly than an adult will due to their younger age.
Older people may develop a B12 deficiency due to a thinning of the stomach lining that occurs with age. Around 30% of elderly people have difficulty absorbing nutrients properly from food and should take a vitamin B12 supplement. Vitamin B12 increases memory and helps with mood swings. It may also boost energy levels and regulate sleep patterns.
The causes of B12 deficiency need to be understood in order to come up with a proper treatment plan. If the problem is due to difficulty absorbing the vitamin from food, then an oral B12 pill may not fix the problem, because it will also not be absorbed properly. In this case a nasal spray, a vitamin B12 patch, or a B12 injection may be necessary. People who are taking medications that are leading to the difficulty may also need to have a doctor administer an injection. Pregnant and nursing women and those who do not eat animal products will benefit most from an oral B12 supplement.