Do You Have B12 Deficiency?
Do you have a deficiency problem? This question for many people may sound easy to answer, but in reality, many of us walk through life without even noticing we are experiencing a minor problem of this kind. B12 deficiency is one of the most common types of vitamin deficiencies. B12, also called cobalamin is part of the family of B vitamins and plays a key role in the functions of our nervous systems and our brains.
A common cause of A B12 deficiency is pernicious anemia; as a matter of fact it was discovered tanks to this relationship. When you have an anemia of this kind, you can’t absorb properly B12 because the stomach cells are destroyed. If we let our problem go untreated for a long period of time we can end up with severe and irreversible brain and nervous system damage. Among the initial symptoms of B12 deficiency we have: fatigue, depression, and poor memory. Although you have to keep in mind these are not exclusive to this lack of B12.
You can also be on the watch for vitamin b12 anemia symptoms, especially gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms that accompany the common signs of anemia.
A part of the population who is at risk of having a B12 deficiency is the people following a vegan or vegetarian diets. Vegetarians don’t eat animal food, while vegans in addition don’t eat animal-derived food. This has the down side of not providing enough B12 in our bodies, as it is found in good quantities on animal food such as meat. If you are currently under such diets, it would be a wise idea to get your B12 levels checked from time to time. In addition, know that by eating fortified cereals you can avoid a severe B12 problem, prevention is key.