Photo: Brett Jordan

What causes B12 deficiency?

nhs.uk - Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia - Causes - NHS

How do I stop looking old when losing weight?

How to lose weight without making yourself look older Take your time. ... Drink more water. ... Take collagen supplements. ... Avoid yo-yo dieting...

Last updated Sep 22, 2022

Why does my body hold on to fat?

Metabolic compensation kicks in to preserve and store fat for future energy. Some physicians theorize this is because the human body has evolved to...

Last updated Apr 4, 2021

Promotion

A vitamin B12 or folate deficiency can be the result of a variety of problems. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. Most people with vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia have underdeveloped red blood cells that are larger than normal. The medical term for this is megaloblastic anaemia. Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia occurs when a lack of either of these vitamins affects the body's ability to produce fully functioning red blood cells.

Causes of vitamin B12 deficiency

Pernicious anaemia

Pernicious anaemia is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in the UK.

Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune condition that affects your stomach.

An autoimmune condition means your immune system, the body's natural defence system that protects against illness and infection, attacks your body's healthy cells. Vitamin B12 is combined with a protein called intrinsic factor in your stomach. 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.

Diet

Some people can develop a vitamin B12 deficiency as a result of not getting enough vitamin B12 from their diet. A diet that includes meat, fish and dairy products usually provides enough vitamin B12, but people who do not regularly eat these foods can become deficient. People who eat a vegan diet and do not take vitamin B12 supplements or eat foods fortified with vitamin B12, are also at risk. Stores of vitamin B12 in the body can last around 2 to 4 years without being replenished, so it can take a long time for any problems to develop after a dietary change.

Conditions affecting the stomach

Some stomach conditions or stomach operations can prevent the absorption of enough vitamin B12. For example, a gastrectomy, a surgical procedure where part of your stomach is removed, increases your risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Conditions affecting the intestines

Some conditions that affect your intestines can also stop you absorbing the necessary amount of vitamin B12. For example, Crohn's disease, a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system, can sometimes mean your body does not get enough vitamin B12.

Medicines

Some types of medicine can lead to a reduction in the amount of vitamin B12 in your body. For example, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a medicine sometimes used to treat indigestion, can make a vitamin B12 deficiency worse. PPIs inhibit the production of stomach acid, which is needed to release vitamin B12 from the food you eat. Your GP will be aware of medicines that can affect your vitamin B12 levels and will monitor you if necessary.

Functional vitamin B12 deficiency

Some people can experience problems related to a vitamin B12 deficiency, despite appearing to have normal levels of vitamin B12 in their blood. This can happen as the result of a problem known as functional vitamin B12 deficiency, where there's a problem with the proteins that help transport vitamin B12 between cells.

This results in neurological complications involving the spinal cord.

Is peanut butter high in magnesium?

Peanut butter is a good source of magnesium, which is an essential nutrient for people with diabetes. Continuous periods of high blood sugar may...

Last updated Jun 19, 2020

Do you lose more weight with Ozempic or Wegovy?

Clinical trials of Wegovy® 2.4 mg showed average weight loss of 15.8% after 68 weeks. With Ozempic®, clinical trials showed an average 6% reduction...

Last updated Mar 19, 2019

Promotion

Is size 18 a 2X?

With styles for plus size ladies, the fit model is generally a size 18 or a 2X. Jan 25, 2020

Last updated Aug 6, 2021

How long does it take Ozempic to start working for weight loss?

Once you inject Ozempic, some people may find it takes several weeks to see any weight loss, yet others may see some weight loss within a week or...

Last updated Nov 6, 2022

Promotion

How much weight do you lose on phentermine?

Effective for weight loss The average weight loss when taking phentermine is 3% of your initial body weight after 3 months and 5–7% after 6 months....

Last updated Mar 26, 2022

Promotion

What is the most powerful herb for weight loss?

Best herbs for weight loss Turmeric. As an anti-inflammatory herb, turmeric can help eliminate excess body fat. ... Rutin. This herb is excellent...

Last updated Dec 7, 2019