Good for the elderly
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.
Atrophic gastritis, in which your stomach lining has thinned. Pernicious anemia , which makes it hard for your body to absorb vitamin B12 . Conditions that affect your small intestine, such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, bacterial growth, or a parasite. Immune system disorders, such as Graves’ disease or lupus.
Abstract. Vitamin B12 deficiency is common among the elderly, and the institutionalized elderly seem to be particularly at risk. Food-cobalamin malabsorption due to the inability to release vitamin B12 from food is a more common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in the elderly than pernicious anemia .
A vitamin B12 deficiency is most often caused by digestive system difficulties, which can occur if the body is unable to absorb B12 from foods and liquids. Most frequently this is due to a lack of intrinsic factor from the stomach or insufficient acid in the stomach.
A lack of vitamin B12 can cause neurological problems, which affect your nervous system, such as: vision problems. memory loss . pins and needles ( paraesthesia ) loss of physical co-ordination ( ataxia ), which can affect your whole body and cause difficulty speaking or walking.
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.
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 .
Smooth Tongue B12 deficiency will also make the tongue sore and beefy-red in color. Glossitis, by causing swelling of the tongue , may also cause the tongue to appear smooth.
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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.
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.
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 .
Folic acid is also called folate . It is another B vitamin. Either a lack of vitamin B-12 or a lack of folate causes a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia (pernicious anemia ). With these types of anemia , the red blood cells don’t develop normally.
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.
Certain medications can decrease the absorption of vitamin B12, including: colchicine , metformin , extended-release potassium products, antibiotics (such as gentamicin, neomycin, tobramycin), anti-seizure medications (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), medications to treat heartburn (such as H2 blockers