Good for the elderly
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms Pale or jaundiced skin. Inflamed tongue. Weakness and fatigue . Tingling sensations in the hands or feet. Trouble walking. Blurred vision. Shortness of breath or dizziness. Changes in thinking, memory and mood.
Not having enough B12 can lead to anemia, which means your body does not have enough red blood cells to do the job. This can make you feel weak and tired. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause damage to your nerves and can affect memory and thinking.
What’s the recommended dosage of vitamin B12 for seniors ? The recommended daily allowance of vitamin B12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms. Experts have estimated that a Western diet contains 5-7 micrograms of vitamin B12 , and a multivitamin often contains 12-25 micrograms.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is common among the elderly . Elderly people are particularly at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency because of the high prevalence of atrophic gastritis-associated food-cobalamin (vitamin B12 ) malabsorption, and the increasing prevalence of pernicious anaemia with advancing age.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency A mild deficiency may cause no symptoms. But if untreated, it may lead to symptoms such as: Weakness, tiredness, or lightheadedness. Heart palpitations and shortness of breath.
To increase the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, eat more of foods that contain it, such as: Beef, liver, and chicken. Fish and shellfish such as trout, salmon, tuna fish, and clams. Fortified breakfast cereal. Low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese. Eggs.
Recovery from vitamin B12 deficiency takes time and you may not experience any improvement during the first few months of treatment. Improvement may be gradual and may continue for up to six to 12 months .
The best B12 supplement of 2020 Best B12 supplements of 2020. Jarrow Formulas’ Methyl B12: A previous favorite that’s held onto the top spot due to its special methylcobalamin formulation that’s easier to absorb than other types.
Safety and side effects. When taken at appropriate doses, vitamin B-12 supplements are generally considered safe. While the recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms, you can safely take higher doses. Your body absorbs only as much as it needs, and any excess passes through your urine.
B12 is important for creating red blood cells and DNA, and for maintaining healthy nerve function. “Getting enough B12 is a challenge for older people because they can’t absorb it from food as well as younger people,” says Tucker. “Even if your diet contains enough, you may be falling short.”
A response usually is seen within 48 to 72 hours , with brisk production of new red blood cells. Once B12 reserves reach normal levels, injections of vitamin B12 will be needed every one to three months to prevent symptoms from returning.
However, the most common cause of vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia is a lack of a substance called intrinsic factor, which can be caused when your immune system mistakenly attacks the stomach cells that produce this substance. This type of anemia is called pernicious anemia .
Functional vitamin B12 deficiency is common and a major cause of morbidity. It can manifest with a wide variety of symptoms including fatigue and drenching night sweats . Low threshold should be kept to measure markers of vitamin B12 deficiency in patients presenting with these symptoms .
People with vitamin B12 deficiency are likely to experience a wide range of symptoms, though weight gain is unlikely one of them. If you’re experiencing unexplained weight gain , consider discussing it with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to determine the root cause .