Madeleine Hull
Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that helps the body make red blood cells and DNA. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to a decrease in red blood cell count, causing pernicious anaemia. This condition is often treated with vitamin B12 supplements and injections. However, it is unclear whether increasing vitamin B12 consumption in one's diet can help treat pernicious anaemia. While some sources of vitamin B12 include meat, liver, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products, it is important to note that pernicious anaemia is caused by the body's inability to absorb vitamin B12, rather than a lack of the vitamin in one's diet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pernicious anemia | An autoimmune condition that prevents the body from absorbing vitamin B12 |
| Vitamin B12 deficiency | Lack of vitamin B12 in the diet or inability of the body to absorb it properly |
| Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency | Fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, brain and nervous system issues, weak muscles, nausea, weight loss, irritability, increased heart rate, etc. |
| Treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency | Vitamin B12 injections, supplements, or pills; folic acid pills; dietary changes to include foods rich in vitamin B12 |
| Foods rich in vitamin B12 | Meat, liver, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, breakfast cereals with added vitamin B12, soy-based beverages, vegetarian burgers, nutritional yeast, clams, oysters, salmon, tuna, ground beef |
| Risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency | Vegetarian or vegan diet, certain medications, excessive alcohol consumption, digestive problems, stomach surgery, intestinal issues, genetic conditions, older age |
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What You'll Learn
Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms
Vitamin B12 is needed to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of the body. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to a lack of healthy red blood cells, resulting in vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia. This condition can cause a wide range of symptoms, which usually develop gradually but can worsen if left untreated.
Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia is more common in people with a family history of the disease or those with northern European ancestry. It is also more likely to occur in those with a vegan or vegetarian diet, as vitamin B12 is found in animal products.
The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia are varied and can include:
- Weak muscles
- Numbness
- Trouble walking
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Increased heart rate
- Paleness
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Brain and nervous system symptoms, such as cognitive problems and memory issues
In some cases, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to serious complications, including bleeding, infections, and permanent problems with the brain and nerves, such as optic neuropathy, which can cause gradual vision loss.
If you suspect you have vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia, it is important to see a healthcare professional for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Treatment may include vitamin B12 injections, supplements, or dietary changes to increase vitamin B12 intake.
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Pernicious anaemia causes
Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune disorder that affects the stomach and prevents the body from absorbing vitamin B12. It is a relatively rare disease that causes vitamin B12 deficiency and subsequent megaloblastic anaemia. The exact cause of pernicious anaemia is unknown, but it is more common in women around 60 years of age, people with a family history of the condition, and those with another autoimmune condition, such as Addison's disease or vitiligo, or autoimmune gastritis. Pernicious anaemia is also more common in people with northern European or African ancestry.
Vitamin B12 is a crucial nutrient that helps in the formation of red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. When the body does not have enough vitamin B12, red blood cells do not form properly, resulting in fewer and abnormally large oval-shaped red blood cells. This leads to a decrease in oxygen delivery to the body's tissues and organs, causing symptoms such as fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, and weak muscles.
The inability to absorb vitamin B12 in pernicious anaemia is due to the destruction of cells in the stomach that produce a protein called intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the intestines. Without intrinsic factor, the body cannot absorb vitamin B12 effectively, leading to a deficiency. This deficiency can cause serious complications, including irreversible damage to the nervous system.
Certain medical conditions can also increase the risk of pernicious anaemia. These include endocrine autoimmune diseases such as hypoparathyroidism and Graves' disease, as well as intestinal and digestive conditions like ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and Helicobacter pylori infection. Stomach surgery, such as weight-loss surgery or gastrectomy, can also contribute to pernicious anaemia by making it harder for the body to absorb vitamin B12.
Lifestyle factors, such as alcohol consumption and certain medications, can further impact vitamin B12 absorption. Drinking too much alcohol can interfere with the body's ability to absorb vitamin B12. Additionally, certain medications, including some heartburn medicines and metformin for diabetes, can reduce vitamin B12 levels over time.
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Treatment options
Dietary changes
If your vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is caused by a lack of vitamin B12 in your diet, you can add more vitamin B12-rich foods to your diet. These include meat, fish, dairy products, liver, clams, oysters, nutritional yeast, salmon, tuna, and ground beef. Breakfast cereals with added vitamin B12, eggs, and soy-based beverages are also good sources of vitamin B12 for those who don't eat animal products.
Supplements and injections
If your body is unable to absorb vitamin B12 from food, you may need to take vitamin B12 supplements or injections. Supplements may be pills or shots, and injections are typically given in the upper arm or thigh, or into a muscle. Injections are often recommended for those who are very anemic, and the frequency of injections or supplements will depend on the cause of the deficiency. For example, if the deficiency is due to an autoimmune disease or a non-dietary cause, injections may be required every two to three months for life.
Folic acid
Folic acid, or folate, is another B vitamin that is often found in combination with vitamin B12 in food sources. Taking folic acid by mouth is more effective than eating folate-rich foods, and it can be taken as a pill.
Blood transfusions
In cases of serious vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, blood transfusions may be required in combination with vitamin B12 treatment.
Treating underlying conditions
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia can be caused by underlying medical conditions, such as digestive or intestinal issues, or other medical conditions that affect the body's ability to absorb vitamin B12. Treating these underlying conditions may help to improve vitamin B12 absorption and reduce anemia symptoms.
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Dietary sources of vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is required for proper brain function and a host of chemical reactions within the body. It is naturally found only in animal foods, such as meat, fish, and dairy products. Organ meats, such as liver and kidneys, are very high in vitamin B12. Other good sources include eggs, clams, and dairy. For those eating vegan diets, fortified foods can be good sources of this vitamin.
Breakfast cereals fortified with vitamin B12 are a good option for vegans. Malt-O-Meal Raisin Bran, for example, offers up to 62% of the daily value (DV) for vitamin B12 in 1 cup (59 grams). Other fortified foods include soy-based beverages and vegetarian burgers. Research shows that eating fortified cereals daily helps increase vitamin B12 concentrations.
It is important to note that vitamin B12 deficiency is not always caused by inadequate dietary intake. It is sometimes caused by a lack of intrinsic factor, a protein made in the stomach that helps the body absorb vitamin B12. Lack of intrinsic factor is most common in older people and is usually associated with pernicious anemia, an autoimmune condition that prevents the body from absorbing vitamin B12.
If you have pernicious anemia, you will likely need to take vitamin B12 supplements regularly for the rest of your life. However, for other causes of B12 deficiency, increasing the vitamin B12 in your diet may help.
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Risk factors
Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune condition that prevents the body from absorbing vitamin B12. This is due to the body's inability to produce intrinsic factor, a protein made in the stomach that is required for vitamin B12 absorption.
Pernicious anaemia is more common in people with northern European or African ancestry, particularly those with a family history of the condition. It is also more prevalent in women around 60 years of age.
Following a vegan or vegetarian diet that does not include enough vitamin B12 can increase the risk of pernicious anaemia. Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal products such as meat, dairy, and eggs, so those who do not consume these foods may need to incorporate fortified foods or supplements into their diet.
Certain medical conditions can also raise the risk of pernicious anaemia. These include:
- Autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, Addison's disease, vitiligo, and atrophic gastritis
- Genetic conditions such as Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome, inherited intrinsic factor deficiency, and inherited transcobalamin deficiency
- Intestinal and digestive conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, Helicobacter pylori infection, and coeliac disease
- Stomach surgery or other stomach conditions, such as gastritis, that affect vitamin B12 absorption
- Taking certain medications, including metformin for diabetes, proton pump inhibitors, histamine H2 blockers, and oral contraceptives
- Excessive alcohol consumption, defined as more than two drinks per day for men and more than one drink per day for women
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Frequently asked questions
Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune condition that prevents your body from absorbing vitamin B12. It is caused by an inability to produce intrinsic factor, a protein made in the stomach that helps the body absorb vitamin B12.
Pernicious anemia can cause serious medical issues, including irreversible damage to the nervous system. Some early symptoms include fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, and mild neurological issues.
Increasing vitamin B12 consumption through diet or supplements can help treat pernicious anemia by restoring normal vitamin B12 levels and preventing further complications. However, in cases of pernicious anemia, dietary changes alone may not be sufficient, and medical treatments such as injections or supplements may be required.
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