What Is The B12 Deficiency Syndrome?

B12 is a vitamin that is necessary for normal red blood cell formation

, cellular and tissue repair and DNA synthesis. A B12 deficiency syndrome reflects a shortage of this vitamin. As the body stacks up to 3 to 5 years worth of B12, it takes some time, for the symptoms to manifest themselves. Children and infants show the symptoms of this deficiency more rapidly. This vitamin is very essential to good health. It helps the body produce a normal blood count. When there is a lack of this particular vitamin, it usually means one is following a diet that has less B12. It can also be caused due to the Crohn's Disease which limit the amount of B12 absorbed by the body.

To absorb vitamin B12 from food is complex. Thus a defect in the absorption method can become a cause of deficiency. The absorption often takes place in the stomach area, where pepsin and gastric acid help release cobalamin from animal proteins. Vitamin B12 absorption also occurs in the muth where it may bind to the R protein present in the saliva.Alkaline pH and pancreatic enzymes also have a tendency to reduce absorption. The two compounds may help to digest the cobalamin-R protein complex before the absorption process, and B12 is bound to the intrinsic factor (IF) to form an IF-cobalamin complex.

There are two types of sufferers from B12 deficiency syndrome. The first group is comprised of asymptomatic vitamin B12 deficiency and the other group is hematologic vitamin B12 deficiency. To circumvent that, there are may sources of this particular vitamin. It is mostly obtained from animal proteins such as poultry, eggs, fish, dairy and red meat. Vegetables and plants are not popular sources of the vitamin, unless the plants have been infected with soil microorganisms, in that case, they may be considered as an exception.

There are various symptoms of B12 deficiency syndrome. One of the biggest tell-tale signs is the feeling of fatigue. There are also gastro problems such as dyspepsia or diarrhea or recurring ulcers in the stomach. There can be nausea sensations accompanied by gas accumulation, which may lead to bloating of the stomach. A patient may lose or gain weight depending on the way they react to the lack of the vitamin. Other symptoms may also include loss of memory, insomnia, lack of balance, depression, liver enlargement, headaches, eye problems, hallucinations, breathing difficulty, inflamed tongue, neurological damage and so on.

To combat anemia, a person suffering from this syndrome can be given folic acid to rectify this condition. Also, one can be given an injection, to increase the levels of the required vitamin in their blood. This particular procedure can go on for a while if the levels of B12 do not remain constant.

The B12 deficiency syndrome in most cases, cite the cause of OCD, i.e., Obsessive compulsive disorders as one of the neurological disorders, prevalent in children and adults. Vitamin B is also known for an immune and healthy nervous system along with good vision and healthy skin.

by: Brian Jones

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