The Essential Vitamin You're Probably Missing
BuzzFeed • • health
Key Points:
- Vitamin B-12 deficiency affects about 6% of Americans under 60 and 20% of those over 60, with causes including diet, medication, absorption issues, and age, particularly impacting older adults.
- B-12 is vital for brain health, supporting myelin formation, DNA synthesis, neurotransmitter production, and reducing harmful homocysteine levels linked to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Symptoms of B-12 deficiency can include fatigue, weakness, numbness, memory problems, balance issues, and mood changes, often developing gradually and sometimes occurring without anemia.
- Risk factors include vegetarian or vegan diets, gastrointestinal disorders, certain medications like metformin and proton pump inhibitors, older age, and conditions affecting
