One of the important things to be known about Vitamin B12 is that it is not created in the body. The requirement of the vitamin has to be fulfilled by taking foods rich in this vitamin. It is naturally found in animal products such as animal liver and kidneys, fishes like tuna, sardines and trout, milk, cheese and eggs. For plant foods, this vitamin is not generally present in them but there are a lot of foods fortified with vitamin B12.
While for people who consume animal-based products, the vitamin is likely to be sufficient in the body. But for vegans, it is very necessary that they make a conscious effort to intake the required amount of B12 for the body as their diet might not be providing them with a sufficient quantity of B12. It could be the case that your vegan diet might be fortified with B12, but being a vegan it is necessary that you assure that your food is fortified. Furthermore, vegans should also consider taking supplements to meet the daily requirement of B12.
However, it is not only vegans who are at risk of B12 deficiency. Along with your age, your body’s capacity to absorb the vitamin can decrease. Older people have reduced secretion of hydrochloric acid which reduces the absorption of vitamin B12. People who have performed weight loss surgery are also at the risk of the deficiency. Health conditions that can cause the deficiency include Atrophic gastritis, Pernicious anaemia, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, Graves' disease and lupus.
Just like every other vitamin, it is necessary that the body has a sufficient amount of the vitamins in the body. Deficiency of the amount can lead to a number of health complications.
The reason for people to be conscious of their daily requirement of this vitamin is that the long term deficiency of B12 has the potential to cause severe damage to the brain and nervous system. As vitamin B12 is crucial to the formation of red blood cells in the body, the deficiency of the vitamin can cause anaemia. When there are not enough red blood cells to transport oxygen in the body, the person can feel tired and fatigued. Other effects of the lack of red blood cells include increased heart rate and shortness of breath.
Vitamin B12 has an important role to play in the synthesis of myelin, which serves as an insulating cover to shield the nerve cells and helps in transmitting sensations. With the lack of this cover, the nerve cells are more prone to damage. People with this deficiency can suffer from tingling hands and feet. Furthermore, it can also create difficulty in movement. The deficiency of Vitamin B12 is also associated with decreased serotonin production in the body, which can lead to depression.
