Vitamin B12 deficiency is not unique to vegetarians. Doctors strongly disagree with this claim. “The truth is, anyone can be deficient in vitamin B12 depending on what you eat, how well your body absorbs nutrients, your age, or other health conditions.”
Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is critical to the production of red blood cells, the regulation of the nervous system, and the construction of the DNA molecule. If you are deficient in this vitamin, you may feel tired, weak, or suffer numbness, memory problems, or, if left untreated, permanent nerve damage.
Let’s take a look at five popular myths about vitamin supplements and how they really work.
Myth 1: Only Vegetarians Get Vitamin B12 Deficiency
While it is true that vitamin B12 is found primarily in animal products, such as meat, eggs, and dairy, it is not exclusive to these groups. People who consume meat but suffer from digestive problems, such as gastritis or low stomach acid, or diabetics who take certain medications, or older people with low absorption, may also be at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency. The problem is not the amount they consume, but the amount their body is able to absorb.
Myth 2: Simply by Ingesting Animal Products, You’ll Never Have B12 Problems
Just consuming animal products is not a guarantee for a B12 problem-free existence. In order to have a proper B12 absorption mechanism in the body, there needs to be sufficient stomach acid and intrinsic factor—a protein produced by the stomach.
The following are some issues that could affect B12 absorption:
- Pernicious Anemia
- Chronic Gastritis
- Antacid Use
- Bariatric Surgery
Even if there is a copious amount of B12 intake from food products, it is still not guaranteed to be absorbed by the body.
Myth 3: B12 Deficiency Will Manifest Itself Immediately
A B12 deficiency is not something that manifests itself immediately. Sometimes it develops over a period of years. Early symptoms such as fatigue and a tingling sensation are not easily recognized. When severe nerve damage occurs, it is already too late. B12 deficiency is usually already established.
Blood Tests are a Reliable Method to Detect B12 Deficiency Early.
Myth 4: Vitamin B12 Supplements are Only for Severe Cases
According to doctors’ advice, vitamin B12 supplements can be used not just to treat B12 deficiency but also to prevent it. People who are more at risk of B12 deficiency, such as vegetarians, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and individuals with gastrointestinal problems, can benefit from vitamin B12 supplements.
Myth 5: All B12 Supplements Are the Same
There are three forms of B12:
- Cyanocobalamin
- Methylcobalamin
- Hydroxocobalamin
Most oral forms are only minimally absorbed, even passively. For those that do not absorb B12, doctors may recommend intramuscular injections.
How B12 Supplements Work
When B12 is ingested, it attaches itself to an intrinsic factor in the stomach and then travels to the small intestine for absorption. Even without intrinsic factor, some absorption happens passively.
If absorption is the issue, injections put B12 into the body so that it is always at adequate levels. Once in the body, B12:
- Produces healthy red blood cells
- Maintains the nerve sheath
- Supports brain functions
- Prevents anemia
Most people feel energized in a few short weeks.
Who’s at Higher Risk?
- Strict vegetarians and vegans
- People over the age of 50
- People suffering from diabetes and taking metformin
- People suffering from thyroid disorders
- People suffering from digestive disorders
- People who have had gastric surgery
Final Takeaway
The issue of vitamin B12 deficiency is not necessarily related to a veggie diet. The problem can occur even when you have a plant-based diet. The most common cause of a vitamin B12 deficiency is a problem with the absorption of the vitamin. The only solution to the problem is to stay on top of your health checkups and supplement your vitamin B12 when necessary.
If you feel unusually fatigued, experience tingling or numbness, or have memory problems, you should seek medical attention and have your vitamin B12 levels checked.
