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Importance of Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A deficiency of Vitamin B12 primarily causes anemias the body is unable to make sufficient quantities of normal red blood cells. Severe cases can lead to permanent nervous system problems. The vitamin B12 deficiency can result from absorption problems, insufficient dietary intake, certain medications (e.g. metformin), inherited conditions (e.g. transcobalamin deficiency) and certain chronic parasitic intestinal infestations.

Causes


Vitamin B12 deficiency is caused by an inability of the body to absorb vitamin B12 or a lack of vitamin B12 in the diet. Vitamin B12 is essential for many aspects of health, including the production of red blood cells in the blood.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can be serious if untreated, because it can lead to decreased production of red blood cells in the blood. Healthy amounts of red blood cells are necessary for the proper delivery of necessary oxygen to the body's cells and tissues. A lack of sufficient amounts of red blood cells due to vitamin B12 deficiency results in a serious complication called vitamin B12 deficiency anemia or pernicious anemia.
 Vitamin B12 is taken into the body by eating certain foods, including lean red meats, poultry, fish, and dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt. In some cases, vitamin B12 deficiency can occur when a person does not eat enough foods that contain vitamin B12, such as someone who follows a vegan diet.
symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency 
The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can vary amongst individuals, depending on the cause, the severity of B12 deficiency and other factors.Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include very pale skin, shortness of breath,fatigue, dizziness, headache , cold hands and feet,heart palpitations and chest pain. These symptoms are due to a decreased production of red blood cells that are necessary to carry vital oxygen to the body's cells and tissues. A serious complication that can occur due to decreased red blood cell production is pernicious anemia, also called vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
Treatments
Taking supplements that contain vitamin B12 may also be needed to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency, especially for people at a high risk for developing the condition, such as vegetarians and women who are pregnant or breast feeding.  Vitamin B12 is found in lean red meats, poultry, fish, and dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt. 


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