How does b12 help you

You can take steps at home to improve your health by eating a varied diet that includes meat, milk, cheese, and eggs, which are good sources of vitamin B Also, eat plenty of foods that contain folic acid, another type of B vitamin.

These include leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, and fortified breads and cereals. Most people who eat animal products like milk or cheese will not get this B12 deficiency anemia.

People who follow a vegan diet can prevent it by taking a daily vitamin pill or by eating foods that have been fortified with B Babies born to women who eat a vegan diet should be checked by a doctor to see whether they need extra vitamin B If you have pernicious anemia or another reason you cannot absorb enough vitamin B12, your doctor will give you vitamin B12 shots or pills to prevent deficiency.

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Top of the page. Topic Overview What is vitamin B12 deficiency anemia? However, if you think that you might be at risk, speak to your doctor. Vitamin B12 deficiency can most often be prevented or resolved with oral or intramuscular injections. Risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency include a decreased ability to absorb this vitamin due to low hydrochloric acid secretion, certain medications or gastrointestinal disease and surgeries.

Vegans are also at risk since B12 is only found in animal products. Getting enough vitamin B12 through your diet is crucial. However, if you struggle to obtain enough or have a condition that affects absorption, supplements are a simple way to increase your B12 intake.

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Other at-risk groups include people with small intestine problems, for example, an individual whose small intestine has been surgically shortened. They may not be able to absorb cobalamin properly. Gastritis, celiac disease , and inflammatory bowel disease may lead to a deficiency because these conditions cause the absorption of nutrients to be reduced. People with chronic alcoholism may lack vitamin B , as their bodies are also not able to absorb nutrients efficiently.

Individuals treating diabetes with metformin are advised to monitor their levels of vitamin B Metformin might reduce the absorption of vitamin B Treatment includes vitamin B injections. A vitamin B injection must be administered to people that have problems with nutrient absorption.

Some people have difficulties absorbing vitamin B from food sources and may need to take supplements. This includes older adults, patients with pernicious anemia, and those with achlorhydria or intestinal disorders may have problems absorbing vitamin B from food. Supplements can be taken orally or in a nasal spray. However, oral supplements do not help in many cases of deficiency.

In these circumstances, vitamin B may be injected. Vegans can take supplements to avoid deficiency, as the vegan diet remove the meat products that provide B naturally. This is particularly important during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Various B supplements are available to purchase in health food stores and online. The side effects of taking vitamin B are very limited. It is not considered to be toxic in high quantities, and even mcg doses are not thought to be harmful.

There have been no reports of an adverse reaction to B since when a person in Germany reported rosacea as a result of a B supplement. Cases of Btriggered acne have also been reported. Cyanocobalamin is an injectable form of the supplement that contains traces of cyanide, a poisonous substance. As a result, some concerns have been raised about its possible effects. However, many fruits and vegetables contain these traces, and it is not considered a significant health risk.

A look at clean eating, a concept where someone avoids artificial foods or additives. Included is detail on the facts and fiction behind the diet.