Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms occur in up to 15% of the population. This is typically caused by malnutrition, inability of the body to properly absorb the nutrients in food, post surgery recovery or dietary deficiency. However, there are certain groups that have higher risk factors and are more likely to have a Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Vegetarians

Vitamin B12 is a naturally occurring vitamin found in many animal sources. Beef, fish, eggs, and milk all contain Vitamin B12. Plants do not carry B12, so it’s important for vegetarians to include some supplements of fortified foods to prevent Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms. Some breakfast cereals are fortified and provide a good nutrition alternative.

Pregnant Women on a Vegetarian Diet

The extra nutritional needs of pregnant women amplify the critical need for Vitamin B12. This carries through after birth and during the lactation stages when breastfeeding their infants. The breast milk from a vegetarian diet will be missing vital Vitamin B12 for their babies. Severe neurological damage can occur with infants that have a Vitamin B12 deficiency if it goes untreated or unnoticed. Infants aged 0-6 months should be receiving 0.4 mcg per day. If you are a vegetarian, consider prenatal vitamins, nutritional supplements, or consult your physician.

Adults Over 50

Vitamin B12 is absorbed in the digestive system and up to 30% of older adults have a condition called atrophic gastritis. This condition alters the digestive process and specifically reduces the natural intake of Vitamin B12. They are unable to absorb the vitamin from their foods. Nutritional supplements typically contain a synthetic version of Vitamin B12 that can be absorbed.

Post Gastrointestinal Surgery Patients

Surgeries can disrupt the normal digestive process and reduce the natural intake of Vitamin B12. Weight loss procedures, intestine surgeries and other treatments increase the risk of B12 deficiency.

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Patients who suffer from Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease and other intestine disorders are also at risk of a Vitamin B12 deficiency. The natural digestive process in our bodies can be disrupted from these diseases and decreasing the ability to absorb critical nutrients. Vitamin B12 intake can be boosted through the use of dietary and vitamin supplements. People in these categories will not automatically have Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms, but their risk factors are higher. They should stay more in tuned with their bodies and monitor changes. The use of nutritional supplements can prevent a long-term deficiency.

• Excessive Vitamin B12 Health Risks
• Vitamin B12 for Elderly Care