What is the vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is a nutrient which helps keep your body’s blood and nerve cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells.Vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) plays an important role in red blood cell formation, cell metabolism, nerve function and the production of DNA. The human body requires Vitamin B-12 for various processes such as energy production, DNA synthesis as well as the central nervous system.Your body doesn’t makes Vitamin B12 on its own , so you have to take it from Vitamin b12 rich foods and drinks on regular basis in order to maintain it’s level in your body. Body need of vitamin b12 varies based on age.
Deficiency:
Vitamin B12 deficiency is the condition which happens when you are not taking enough vitamin b12 in your diet or your body is not absorbing it properly , it is a treatable conditon . Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause neurological , psychological and physical complications. Vitamin b12 deficiency is usually associated with anemia , heart conditions and nerve and brain damage . if the conditions are left untreated they can lead to sevior damage or even death.
Symptoms:
In adults
- fatigue and weakness
- constipation
- loss of appetite and weight loss
- problems with balance
- depression
- problems with thinking
- a sore mouth or tongue
In infants
- not growing or developing at the expected rate
- problems with movement
- megaloblastic anemia
You can prevent vitamin b12 deficiency by properly taking the required amount of it in your diet. some sources of vitamin b12 are;
If you are a vegetarian then add vegetables like spinach, beetroot, butternut squash, mushroom and potato contain good amounts of vitamin B12
Milk and some dairy product is the highly source of vitamin. Types of fish like tuna, sardines, salmon, animal liver & kidneys, fortified cereals, fruits like apples, bananas, oranges, and eggs are rich source of B12 .
Diagnosis:
Some initial lab tests From MLS diagnostics should include a complete blood count (CBC) with a peripheral blood smear and serum vitamin B12 and folate levels. In cases of diagnosis is still unclear after initial testing, then we should be done other lab tests, such as MMA and homocysteine levels.