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The other day, there were news reports about how Vitamin B12 deficiency was emerging as a silent epidemic in India, among both men and women. But this is true of many countries too and happens primarily due to poor lifestyle habits, dietary choices and medical conditions that hinder proper absorption and intake of this essential nutrient. So let’s begin with understanding its importance to the human body.
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, plays a crucial role in numerous body functions, including red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis and neurological health. Its deficiency can result in a spectrum of symptoms and health complications, ranging from mild fatigue and weakness to severe neurological disorders and anaemia.
What causes Vitamin B12 deficiency?
Dietary Patterns: A shift towards more plant-based diets and a decrease in animal product consumption can lead to lower B12 intake. Vitamin B12 is primarily found in animal-derived foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Vegan or vegetarian diets without sufficient supplementation or fortified foods may lack an adequate B12 supply, increasing the risk of deficiency.
Ageing Population: As individuals age, the ability to absorb B12 from food diminishes. Older adults often experience decreased stomach acid production, which is essential for releasing B12 from food. This can lead to poor absorption of the vitamin, contributing to deficiency among the elderly population.
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Certain gastrointestinal conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease and atrophic gastritis, can impair the body’s ability to absorb B12. These disorders affect the digestive tract, inhibiting the absorption of nutrients, including B12, leading to deficiencies even in individuals with sufficient dietary intake.
Medications: Long-term use of certain medications, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) used to treat acid reflux, and metformin, commonly prescribed for diabetes, can interfere with vitamin B12 absorption. PPIs reduce stomach acid production, which is necessary for releasing B12 from food, while metformin may affect B12 absorption in the intestines.
What are the signs and symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency?
Vitamin B12 deficiency often presents with non-specific symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, numbness, tingling sensations and cognitive difficulties. These can be mistaken for other conditions or attributed to ageing, leading to under diagnosis and delayed treatment.
How to tackle Vitamin B12 deficiency?
Here are some strategies that can help combat this silent epidemic.
Dietary Modifications: Encouraging a well-balanced diet that includes B12-rich foods or fortified products can help prevent deficiencies, especially among individuals following vegetarian or vegan diets. Educating the public about food sources and the importance of adequate B12 intake is crucial.
Supplementation: For individuals at risk of deficiency, including older adults, strict vegetarians/vegans and those with malabsorption issues, supplementation is recommended on a monitoring basis.
Routine Screening and Testing: Healthcare providers should consider screening individuals at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, such as older adults, individuals with gastrointestinal disorders or those on long-term medications affecting B12 absorption. Timely testing can facilitate early detection and appropriate intervention.
Public Health Campaigns: Raising awareness about the symptoms, risk factors and consequences of B12 deficiency through public health campaigns can help promote early recognition and encourage proactive measures to prevent deficiency-related complications.
Medical Education and Training: Healthcare professionals need continued education on recognising and managing B12 deficiency to facilitate timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment for affected individuals.
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