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October 25, 2017 By Dr. Viral Thakkar 10 Comments

Vitamin B12: The Energy Nutrient many of you should be thinking about!

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As a medical practitioner, I am appalled by the number of patients suffering from B12 deficiency. Patients complain about fatigue, vague pains, tingling, numbness, loss of concentration. Many tests are conducted with no results and the one missed is the test for vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is the only vitamin that contains a trace element – cobalt – which gives this vitamin its chemical name – cobalamin – which is at the centre of its molecular structure.

B12 is required

  • For the manufacture of red blood cells; deficiency leads to a characteristic kind of anemia
  • To support the normal function of nerve cells, and to manufacture myelin, the insulating material that surrounds some of our nerve cells and speeds neural transmission. B12 deficiency impairs brain function. Advanced B12 deficiency causes dementia resembling Alzheimer’s.
  • The deficiency leads to difficulty in regeneration of new healthy cells- mimics all of the effects of aging.
  • B12 is involved in the metabolismof every cell of the human body, especially affecting DNA synthesis, fatty acid and amino acid metabolism.

Vitamin B12 is produced by some species of bacteria in colon. (The colon is followed by the small intestine & is a part of large intestine and hence the B12 produced there is not absorbed which results in the need of supplementation.

Who should be concerned about B12 deficiency?

  1. If you are or were a vegetarians/ a vegan- get yourself tested
  2. Babies born to mothers who are vegetarians
  3. Risk of B12 deficiency increases with age. So test yourself and fortify your meals
  4. Pernicious anaemia- is an autoimmune condition that affects your stomach. In your stomach, vitamin B12is combined with a protein called intrinsic factor. This mix of vitamin B12 and intrinsic factor is then absorbed into the body in part of the gut called the distal ileum. Pernicious anaemia causes your immune system to attack the cells in your stomach that produce the intrinsic factor, which means your body is unable to absorb vitamin B12.
  5. Conditions affecting your intestines-E.g. Crohn’s disease (a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system)
  6. Some types of medicine- E.g. proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) –a medication sometimes used to treat indigestion – can make a vitamin B12 deficiency worse.
  7. People suffering from Atrophic Gastritis (the stomach line becomes thin)
  8. Surgery where a part of the stomach is removed, including weight loss surgery like bariatric surgery.
  9. Smoking, drinking & stress increases the requirement of B12
  10. Few autoimmune disorders
  11. Chronic illnesses leads to a deficiency of this diseases

Move towards a B12 rich diet if you have the following symptoms

  • Weakness, tiredness, dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Smooth tongue
  • Palpitations and dyspnea
  • Pale skin
  • Constipation, diarrhea, a loss of appetite, or dyspepsia
  • Nerve problems- numbness or tingling, muscle weakness,
  • Loss of weight
  • Mental problems- memory loss, or behavioral changes, confusions
  • Glove & stocking neuropathy (tingling of palms & forearms, feet till knees)- in this scenario B12 deficiency is the majorly deficient apart from other nutrients

Untitled

 Sources of B12

Sources of B12 are animal products (meat, fish, and dairy products), fortified foods.Ensure sufficient quantities of these foods to maintain your B12 levels. If your count is low, consider oral or injectable forms of the vitamin. But why reach that stage?!

Have the above mentioned foods in your routine.  The best part of this Energy Nutrient is that the excess is excreted by the body or stored in the liver for use when supplies are scarce. Stores of B12 can last for up to a year. Unfortunately sometimes catching the B12 deficiency late can result in permanent damage. Any neurological damage due to B12 deficiency cannot be reversed. Ensure that your B12 levels are maintained at levels 200 to 900 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).

About Dr. Viral Thakkar

Dr. Viral Thakkar, M.B.B.S is a general physician with extensive experience in community and preventive medicine. He also has a vast experience in emergency care. With years of experience in allopathy and understanding of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and Mind Empowerment, Dr. Thakkar is a firm believer that the body can cure itself with the right management. The human body is the best software designed by creation which guides every moment to keep one healthy. The body produces the disease and also has an innate ability to heal. Modern medicine is a quick fix to the disease (body) but, ignores the mind and soul which are an important aspect of human existence. Hence a holistic approach of healing of mind, body and soul is essential and modern medicine should be judiciously used. He practices what he preaches. Meditation and yoga along with a complete diet govern his lifestyle. As a mentor, Dr. Thakkar conducts individual sessions, group sessions with corporates and civil society groups on ideal lifestyle.

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Comments

  1. Nitin says

    April 27, 2017 at 9:23 pm

    I m an Vegetarian. So can’t take eggs or meat. Please suggest some rich B12 diet for vegetarians.

    PS- I got both Vitamin D & B12 deficiency as per latest lab reports.

    Reply
    • Dr Viral Thakkar says

      April 29, 2017 at 9:34 am

      Hi Nitin,
      As a vegetarian, there are very few things which can provide you with VITAMIN B12.Mostly dairy products like milk, paneer, tofu can be of some help. Nowadays in the market, you get many food products fortified with VITAMIN B12. you can go for that as well.

      It will be great if you can tell me your exact report, I mean the numerical values so I can suggest you precise approach get those parameters normal for both VITAMIN B12 as Wells’s D3. Because if it’s too low you may have start with medication supplements

      Reply
      • Dr.Pradeep says

        May 1, 2017 at 8:33 am

        Whole Sprouts a better option for vegetarians , contains all vitamin b and c also

        Reply
  2. Kiran says

    April 29, 2017 at 6:11 am

    Isn’t this B12 thing kind of hype created by pharma companies? I see everyone in the world deficient of B12!

    Reply
  3. Devesh says

    April 30, 2017 at 7:56 am

    Thanks for sharing..my dad has crohn disease which gives him unbearable pain in abdominal region. This pain errupts once in 50 days. Only painkillers are saviour during this period. Please suggest what should be his diet so as to he gets proper nutrition specifically under crohn. Thanks

    Reply
  4. Pradnya says

    May 1, 2017 at 11:40 am

    My d3 is 10 and b 12 is 160 v less just done reports…family dr advised three injections and one month tablet course

    Reply
  5. Prativa Hazarika says

    May 2, 2017 at 8:01 am

    Learned a lot. Thanks
    I am happy that I am a nonveg.

    Reply
  6. Reema wali says

    May 2, 2017 at 12:24 pm

    Hello Dr,
    I also workout in gym for an hour and half and my recent medical test showed borderline deficiency in B12. I am essentially vegetarian but try to take egg:(. My question- should I be taking a supplement for B12, which one? And would I need a higher /lower dose considering the gym workout?

    Reply
  7. Nutri Lounge says

    August 14, 2017 at 11:45 am

    Dr. Viral, I love that you’re keeping these updates coming! Your experience recorded here will no doubt help a lot of people. I’m enjoying following your journey. Keep up the great work.
    Cheers,
    Nutri Lounge

    Reply
  8. Ravi Kumar Sharma says

    January 31, 2021 at 9:06 pm

    My vitamin b 12 only 163 I m a vegetarian kindly advice

    Reply

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