 |
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia - Who is Most at Risk and Why?
Author: Chima Njoku  | Posted: 06-03-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 77 | Rating: (153)  (?) 
Vitamin B 12 deficiency anemia, also known as pernicious anemia, is a condition in which the body does not make enough healthy red blood cells due to lack of vitamin B 12. Red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin, which gives blood its red color. More importantly, hemoglobin helps the blood store and transport oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body.
Individuals with vitamin B12 deficiency anemia have low oxygen in their blood. As a result, they often feel tired as their bodies cannot make enough energy. In severe cases of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, the insufficient oxygen in the blood can cause serious and sometimes fatal damage to the heart and other important organs in the body.
As the name suggests, this type of anemia results from vitamin B12 deficiency. Causes of vitamin B12 deficiency,on the other hand, include low dietary intake and absorption disorder. An absorption disorder may result from reduced stomach acid, lack of intrinsic factor, or diseases that impair absorption of nutrients in the small intestine.
So, who is most at risk and why? Adults aged 50 and older are at INCREASED risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency, primarily because of reduced stomach acid. Vitamin B 12 found in foods is bound to protein, and stomach acid (like hydrochloric acid) is needed to separate it. Reduced stomach acid decreases the body’s ability to release the vitamin from protein. An estimated 30% of older adults have vitamin B12 absorption disorder. For this reason, the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine recommends that older adults should meet their vitamin B12 daily requirement mainly from fortified food or supplements like multivitamins and B complex.
People who lack or produce low levels of intrinsic factor are also at increased risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Intrinsic factor is a class of protein produced by the cells found in the lining of the stomach. After vitamin B12 has been separated from protein, it must bind to intrinsic factor before the body can absorb it. Without this protein, vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed into the blood stream; instead, it is excreted in stool. Lack of intrinsic factor may be caused by autoimmune reaction in which abnormal antibodies, produced by a person’s own overactive immune system, attack and destroy the protein.
Furthermore, individuals with inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s disease can develop vitamin B12 deficiency. Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the digestive system, especially the lower part of the small intestine (or ileum) where vitamin B12 is absorbed. Certain surgeries that result in the removal of the ileum also increase the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vegans are another high risk group for vitamin B12 deficiency. Consumption of strict vegetarian diet substantially reduces the amount of vitamin B12 a person can get from food. This is because plant foods are very low in vitamin B12 and over time may cause deficiency and anemia.
The good news, however, is that anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency is treatable. Patients with the disease receive vitamin B12 deficiency treatment designed to restore the blood level of the vitamin to normal. For example, patients with neurologic symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are given vitamin B12 injection daily or weekly for weeks until the level of vitamin B12 returns to normal. Then, injections are given once a month. Those with advanced vitamin B12 deficiency, especially older adults, may receive treatment for the rest of their lives. Patients with mild deficiency are treated with vitamin B12 pills or spray until normal levels of the vitamin is restored.
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is a serious medical condition that reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood. People with the disease always feel tired because their body cannot make enough energy. It is caused by low levels of vitamin B12 in the body. Certain groups in the population are more susceptible to the disease than others, and these groups include adults 50 years and older, people with inflammatory bowel disease and overactive immune system, and strict vegetarians. Doctors treat the disease with vitamin B12 injection or pills.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/vitamin-b12-deficiency-anemia-who-is-most-at-risk-and-why-352779.html
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Information on Anemia
By: peterhutch | 02/06/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Anemia has a complicated technical definition, but in simple terms it means that a person's blood contains a lower.
What Do You Know About the B Vitamins?
By: Emilia Klapp, R.D., B.S. | 13/06/2008 | Nutrition
Despite supplement advertisements that claim otherwise, vitamins do not provide the body with fuel for energy. Only carbohydrate, fat and protein are used for fuel. But because B vitamins help the body use that fuel, it is true that without B vitamins the body would lack energy.
Vitamin B12 Sources, Functions and Deficiencies
By: Dr John Anne | 15/12/2007 | Supplements and Vitamins
Vitamin B12 is known as cobalamin as well, because of its cobalt content. Vitamin B12 aids in maintaining healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. It is an integral element in DNA formation. It functions with the binding of protein in food. During the digestion process, hydrochloric acid in the stomach discharges vitamin B12 from protein contents found in food. As soon as it is released, it binds with intrinsic factor (IF). Later intestinal tract absorbs this combination.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get one of my uploaded folders off ...
By: Mary Rodgers | 08-08-2008
How can I get one of my uploaded folders off "Public Viewing?" I want to send a folder of pictures to someone but when I do the recipient can go into my public viewing ones. I want to make all other folders "not for viewing by the public." HELP!!!
Places to go noodlin in Texas
By: bocephus | 09-06-2008
wheres a good places in texas to go noodlin
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Supplements and Vitamins Articles
Travel Nursing Companies - Finding the Right One
By: Anirban Bhattacharya | 06/09/2008
Like every other profession, travel nursing has its own merits and setbacks. For many, travel nursing is a lucrative profession that offers bundle of amenities including trip to foreign countries, luxurious living and handsome salary.
A Quick, "No B.S." Guide To Muscle-Building and Fat-Loss Supplementation
By: Nick Nilsson | 05/09/2008
In black and white...what you need, what you don't and why. If you take supplements or even want to take supplements, this information is going save you PILES of money AND help you get the results you deserve.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Antioxidants
By: Steve Hanson | 05/09/2008
Instead of thinking about things you should not eat, consider foods you can add to your eating plan to help fight disease. Antioxidants are your best bet to fight off most nasty diseases and conditions.
6 Fat Burning Foods That Accelerate Healthy Weight Loss!
By: William Winch | 04/09/2008
This article offers the reader 6 different foods they can eat that will actually help them burn fat faster! Healthy weight loss begins with making healthy coices, and these six foods will put you on the fast track to reaching goals. The author is a Personal Wellness Coach whose mission is teaching and coaching others who are struggling with getting healthy, losing weight safely and keeping it off for good.
Choosing the Right Dietary Supplements
By: Liam Derbyshire | 04/09/2008
When it comes to muscle building supplements there is a lot of hype and misinformation out there. It's difficult to get the truth from the fitness magazines because it's the supplement company ads that keep the magazines in business. And there are a lot of worthless muscle building supplements on the market. So how do you know where to spend your money?
Tv's Toughest Trainer
By: Jim Mackey | 04/09/2008
Jillian Michaels is offering her services to everyone through her web site and the many books she's written.
Revealed! How I Achieved a 70 Pound Healthy Weight Loss in 4 Months and Have Kept it Off for 15 Years!
By: William Winch | 03/09/2008
This article describes the process the author took to lose weight and keep it off for good. Discussed in detail are the reasons why people struggle to lose weight, along with specific instructions on how a person can overcome the struggles of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The author is a Personal Wellness Coach whose mission is teaching and coaching others who are struggling with getting healthy, losing weight safely and keeping it off for good.
Radicals, Antioxidants and Life
By: Bart Nieuwenhuijsen | 03/09/2008
What are free radicals, how can they damage living cells and how do antioxidants counteract free radicals?
More from Chima Njoku
Calcium Supplements - Picking the Right One for You
By: Chima Njoku | 06/03/2008 | Supplements and Vitamins
Anyone looking for a calcium supplement can easily find one in the stores; picking out the right one for you is a different story. So, before you buy, read the “supplement facts” label carefully. Determine the calcium compound in the supplement and its calcium content. Test how well it dissolves and your level of tolerance for it. Choose supplements with the USP abbreviation on their label. If you develop side effects from your supplement, try a different one, or consult with your doctor.
Multivitamins: Do You Need Them?
By: Chima Njoku | 03/03/2008 | Supplements and Vitamins
Medical experts now agree that anyone can benefit from a daily intake of a standard multivitamins. This view is based on scientific evidence suggesting that multivitamins do more than simply replace what you don’t get from food. They can provide extra protection against common diseases as well as reduce your risk of chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes.
Bone Health and Children - How Parents Can Help
By: Chima Njoku | 02/03/2008 | Wellness
Bone health is an important part of a kid’s health, and moms can help their kids build strong bones. Encouraging them to eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D is one way to achieve this goal; the other is getting her involved in regular physical activity. When it comes to bone health, there is such a thing as “too little, too late.” The health habits you help your kids form today can make, or literally break, their bones later in life.
Osteoporosis: Silent Epidemic Among Postmenopausal Women
By: Chima Njoku | 02/03/2008 | Women's Health
The bottom line is that numbers do not lie, and the current numbers for osteoporosis suggest a silent epidemic among postmenopausal women. However, older women should not feel helpless; there are steps they can take to fight back. These steps include getting enough calcium and vitamin D, getting a regular weight-bearing exercise, moderating coffee drinking, and avoiding smoking. But, they must get going. The time is now; tomorrow may be too late.
Folic Acid: Women’s Best Dietary Insurance Against Birth Defects
By: Chima Njoku | 02/03/2008 | Women's Health
NTDs are serious birth defects that can cause death. A baby born with the nonfatal form of NTD will grow up with serious disabilities. Fortunately, these defects can be prevented. By taking one or two pills of a supplement containing 400 micrograms of folic acid each day, a woman can protect her baby against these birth defects. It is one of the most important things you can do to protect your unborn. Best of all, it’s simple and easy; any woman can do it.
|
|
Health 
