AI Generated Image
Vitamin B12 deficiency is not just a vegetarian problem: The lesser-known reasons your levels can fall
The Times of India • • health
Key Points:
- Vitamin B12 deficiency is not exclusive to vegetarians or vegans; people who consume animal products can also suffer from deficiency due to issues with absorption rather than intake.
- Malabsorption caused by factors such as autoimmune conditions (e.g., pernicious anemia), digestive disorders (e.g., celiac or Crohn’s disease), or past gastrointestinal surgeries can prevent the body from properly absorbing B12.
- Certain medications, including metformin and proton pump inhibitors, as well as aging-related decline in stomach acid production, can reduce B12 absorption, increasing deficiency risk even with adequate dietary intake.
- Symptoms of B12 deficiency are often vague and include fatigue, weakness, memory issues, numbness, and balance problems, which can be mistaken for normal aging or stress, making timely diagnosis crucial to prevent irreversible nerve damage.
- Individuals at risk include not only vegetarians and vegans but also older adults, people with gut disorders or autoimmune diseases, those with a history of GI surgery, and those on long-term medications affecting B12 absorption; medical evaluation and testing are recommended if symptoms persist.
