About 10-15 per cent of adults over 60 years of age are affected by a vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency. If you're at age of 55 or higher, it is recommended that you take some vitamin b 12 cobalamin supplements to maintain the required cell reproduction process.
Other than the people over 60 years of age, if you falls in one of the following categories, then you maybe at risk of vitamin b12 deficiency, and should consider taking some extra Cobalamin supplements as well:
People with elevated homocysteine levels
People with pancreas or bowel malignancy
Those who abuse alcohol or other drugs
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake or nutritional dietary intake
People with increased nutritional requirements
People with a chronic wasting illness, AIDS or chronic fever
People who has recently undergone surgery
People with a portion of the gastrointestinal tract surgically removed
People under excess stress for long periods
Vitamin B12 Cobalamin Deficiency Symptoms
It is estimated that more than 50% of adults in developed countries are infected with the Helicobacter pylori bacterium. H pylori has been implicated in stomach ulcers, indigestion (dyspepsia), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), stomach cancer, and MALT lymphoma.
A detailed study of 138 patients with vitamin B12 deficiency and anemia discovered that 77 (58 per cent) of the patients had a H pylori infection. Eradication of this infection successfully cured the anemia and reversed the vitamin B12 deficiency in 31 (40 per cent) of the 77 infected patients. The researchers conclude that a H pylori infection can cause a vitamin B12 deficiency and that this deficiency, in many cases, can be totally eliminated by eradicating the infection.
Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms may also be in the following conditions:
1). Fatigue
2). Irreversible nerve damage
3). Nausea, appetite loss, weight loss
4). Weakness, especially in arms and legs
5). Sore tongue
6). Numbness and tingling in hands and feet
7). Pale lips, tongue and gums
8). Difficulty maintaining balance
9). Confusion and dementia / disorientation
10). Poor memory
11). Bruising
Sources of Vitamin B12
The following food sources of Vitamin B12 may also help you to combat vitamin b 12 deficiency problems:
Beef Liver, Clams, Dairy products, Blue Cheese, Herring, Liverwurst, Mackerel, Oysters, Sardines, Snapper, Swiss Cheese.
Vitamin B 12 RDA
The current vitamin b12 RDA was revised by the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the Institute of Medicine in 1998.
Adults ages 50 and younger:
2.4 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin B12 / day
Adults ages 51 and older:
2.4 mcg of vitamin B-12 / day from supplements or fortified foods, due to the age-related increase in food bound malabsorption
Pregnant women: 2.6 mcg of vitamin B12 / day
Vitamin B12 Supplements to Combat Cobalamin Deficiency
There are number of conditions that may cause vitamin B 12 deficiency. Individuals who suffer from malabsorption syndrome of any cause will most likely need extra vitamin B12. Diseases/conditions requiring supplementation under a doctor's care include post stomach surgery, pernicious anemia, post gastric bypass surgery, Crohn's disease, and HIV patients with chronic diarrhea. Treatment usually involves monthly intramuscular injections of 100 micrograms of vitamin B12. In addition, the National academy of Sciences has recommended that individuals over the age of 50 meet their RDA with the help of vitamin B12 supplement.
