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Importance of B12 ...
During the last years the vital importance of vitamin B12 and folacin for
our health has become more obvious. Perhaps you have heard that folacin is
important during pregnancy. Deficiency can cause severe damages to the fetus.
In the USA and other countries one has added synthetic folacin to prevent
damages to the fetus.
Also B12 is of importance as both vitamins are interacting to have an effect.
Both vitamins have great importance even in other cases. The risk of developing
dementia are for example bigger if you suffer from a deficiency of one of
these vitamins.
Vitamin B12 and folacin are important for every cell of the body. B12 and
folacin interact in vital functions of all cells. For example they are necessary
for the cells to divide and grow in a normal way. That is why they are of
great importance for the growing foetus.
The first symptoms of deficiency can also come from the cells that divide
too fast, for example blood cells and the cells of mucous membrane. The symptoms
will result in a type of anemia often combined with a read tongue and shear
mucous membranes in the mouth.
Both vitamins are also necessary for the nerve system to function well, for
the nerve cells and for the signal substances that transmit the nerve impulses.
If not treated this kind of deficiency can cause permanent damages of the
nerves.
A deficiency may occur as a result of an inability to absorb B12 from food
and in strict vegetarians who do not consume any animal foods. As a general
rule, most individuals who develop a vitamin B12 deficiency have an underlying
stomach or intestinal disorder that limits the absorption of vitamin B12.
Sometimes the only symptom of these intestinal disorder is subtly reduced
cognitive function resulting from early B12 deficiency. Anemia and dementia
follow later.
Characteristic signs, symptoms and health problems associated with B12 deficiency
include anemia, fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite and weight
loss.
Deficiency can also lead to neurological changes such as numbness and tingling
in the hands and feet. Additional symptoms of B12 deficiency are difficulty
in maintaining balance, depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory and
soreness of the mouth or tongue.
Many of these symptoms are very general and can result from a variety of
medical conditions other than vitamin B12 deficiency. It is important to
have a physician evaluate these symptoms so that appropriate medical care
can be given.
About the Author:
Keith George always writes about valuable news & reviews. A related
resource is Vitamin B12 Further
information can be found at About
Health