Testing It Up

You have not been your usual self lately, and have been feeling sluggish and forgetful. While it may be easy to brush it off as an “off-day,” these symptoms may actually be indicative of Vitamin B12 deficiency, as shared in a feature on The Wall Street Journal.

B12 is a key nutrient in making red blood cells and DNA, and in keeping the nervous system working correctly. It is actually a rare condition; a study conducted in 2005 revealed that it only affects 1 in 1,000 Americans.

Elderly people, however, are more prone to the condition, as are people who do not eat meat or dairy products. Those who have absorption problems, as well as those who are taking acid-blocking medications and those who are taking the drug Metformin for their Type 2 diabetes, also have higher rates of Vitamin B12 deficiency.

The symptoms of low B12 levels include anemia, depression, dementia, confusion, loss of appetite, and balance problems. Long-term B12 deficiencies may result in severe anemia and nerve damage, among others.

The recommended dietary allowances for Vitamin B12 (based on information from the National Academy of Sciences) are as follows:

• 0-6 months: 400 nanograms
• 6-12 months: 500 ng
• 1-3 years: 900 ng
• 4-8 years: 1.2 micrograms
• 9-13 years: 1.8 mcg
• 14 years and older: 2.4 mcg
• Pregnant women: 2.6 mcg
• Nursing mothers: 2.8 mcg

Vitamin B12 supplements may help address issues of Vitamin B12 deficiency. B12 levels can also be increased by consuming B12-rich foods, which include meat, liver, poultry, fish and dairy products.

Metformin, a medication usually given to patients suffering from diabetes, has been linked to vitamin B12 deficiency.

A study conducted by a team that included Coen Stehouwer of the Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands was published in the British Medical Journal. They studied 390 patients, 196 of whom were given metformin three times a day while the rest were given placebo for a period of more than four years. It was determined that those who took metformin had a 19% reduction in vitamin B12 levels. Those who were only given placebo had no change.

The researchers also determined that the deficiency got worse over time.

Stehouwer wrote: “Our data provide a strong case for routine assessment of vitamin B12 levels during long term treatment with metformin,” adding that their study “Our study shows that it is reasonable to assume harm will eventually occur in some patients with metformin-induced low vitamin B12 levels.”

Vitamin B12 is important for the maintenance of healthy nerve and red blood cells. Sources of vitamin B12 include meat, dairy products, eggs, and fortified breakfast cereals; one can also choose to take it as a supplement.

Those who are suffering from low vitamin B12 levels may experience fatigue and anemia, among others; these are, however, also symptoms that may be misdiagnosed as the effect of diabetes and its complications. Hence, vitamin B12 deficiency can go unchecked among metformin users.

It is then indicated that among metformin users, it may be beneficial to check vitamin B12 levels in order to address the appearance of symptoms appropriately.

We need to eat healthy foods to ensure that we get the vitamins and minerals that our body needs to function. There are times that we need to take in supplements to ensure the proper absorption of nutrients and to avoid vitamin deficiency disorders. Here are some of the symptoms that one may feel when suffering from certain deficiencies.

Vitamin A

This vitamin is essential to the immune system, bones, eyes, hair, skin, soft tissues and teeth. Insufficient amounts of vitamin A in the body may cause loss of appetite, colds, dry hair, dry skin, allergies, acne, night blindness, burning eyes, and susceptibility to cancer.

Vitamin C

Found in just about all fresh fruits and vegetables, this vitamin is essential in preventing infections and certain cancers. A deficiency in this vitamin may lead to anemia, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, dental cavities, shortness of breath, low resistance to infection, degeneration of muscles, blood clots, slow healing wounds, and stress.

Vitamin E

This vitamin affects the arteries, blood vessels, nerves, pituitary glands, heart, lungs, and skin. As such, a sufficient supply of vitamin E in the body promotes cardiovascular health, scar reduction and cataract prevention. Vitamin E deficiency may lead to enlarged prostate glands, impotency, miscarriages, sterility, gastrointestinal disease, and muscle weakness.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is found in alfalfa, broccoli, dark green leafy vegetables and soybeans and is good for the bones, blood, liver and metabolism. It is important in the process of blood clotting, bone formation and prevention of osteoporosis. A deficiency may result to brittle bones, low platelet count in blood and poor blood clotting.