Vitamin B12: Everything You Want to Know

Vitamin B12 plays a very important role in building genetic material and proteins in the body. The vitamin is crucial for the nervous system.

Common dietary sources of the vitamin are animal products such as meat (especially beef), particularly liver, fish, eggs, and dairy products. A diet rich in animal-based foods is essential to maintaining an adequate level of Vitamin B12.

A slight deficiency in the vitamin does not manifest in various symptoms. A more severe deficiency causes anemia and damage to various cells. Due to the damage, the following signs appear: weakness and fatigue, paleness, rapid heartbeat and palpitations, weight loss, stomach pains, bleeding gums, and a tendency to bruise and bleed easily.

Severe and prolonged deficiency in Vitamin B12 may harm the nervous system. Such harm includes symptoms like tingling, depression, and memory impairment. Generally, after treatment with the vitamin, improvement in nervous system function is observed.

To diagnose a Vitamin B12 deficiency, a simple blood test to measure the vitamin level in the blood should be conducted. Additionally, it is important to also conduct a complete blood count to assess if anemia or damage to the white blood cells or platelets is already present.

In the case where a vitamin deficiency is discovered, and following a doctor's instructions, B12-folic acid lozenges can be taken to enhance the absorption of the vitamin. Since the vitamin is primarily absorbed through the oral mucosa, it's important to suck on the lozenge rather than swallow it. The recommended dose is usually one lozenge per day for several months.

Another method is through medical injections of the vitamin. This treatment is generally given when the vitamin deficiency is severe and prolonged or if there are serious symptoms. The recommended treatment is the administration of the vitamin through injections. Initially, the injections are given frequently—once a week—and later, once a month. Occasionally, continuing to get an injection once a month for life is required (for instance, after intestinal surgery).