Vitamin B12. The vitamin of madness.

Aptly named that way.

This vitamin is so important that when there is a great deficiency, the Central

Nervous and Peripheral System is affected, and could produce the following symptoms:

• Deep depression.

• Change of mood.

• Hallucinations.

• Paranoia.

• Memory loss.

• Loss of smell and appetite.

• Urinary Incontinence.

• Paraesthesia or tingling.

• Numbness of fingers and toes.

• Tiredness.

• Lack of energy.

• Difficulty in walking.

• Can turn the tongue and throat red.

• Yellow skin.

• Anaemia

• Etc.

The vitamin B12 is found in meat, fish, eggs, milk, mussels, etc.

The body only produces a small quantity of this vitamin.

This vitamin deficiency causes an increase in the size of red blood cells, hindering the transportation of the haemoglobin that is contained within them. It also affects the development of nerves and the creation of cellular DNA, etc.

Eventhough anaemia can be present; it is not always associated with it.

Vitamin B12 and Vitamin B9 or Folic Acid are inter connected so if there is an issue with one of the vitamin then the other should also be studied.

The main cause of this deficit is Pernicious anaemia.

Pernicious anaemia is an affectation of the immune system which alters the walls of the stomach where vitamin B12 is absorbed making it impossible for this action to take place. The cause is unknown, but it tends to be found in people with other autoimmune pathologies, within their families and in women over the age of 60.

Other problems that would generate this deficit would be:

• Gastrectomies or stomach surgery.
• Chronic colon diseases such as Chrohn’s disease.
• A number of medicines such as antacids or proton bomb inhibitors such as Omeprazole, Pantropazol, etc. which are used for indigestions, hiatal hernias and other gastric problems, or Metformin which is used for diabetes.
• Vegans are at a greater risk of experiencing this deficiency, especially if they have been adhering to a vegan diet for more than 2 years, as their deposits would be already empty by that time.
• Age. People over the age of 50, also are at a greater risk of suffering from Vitamin B12 deficiency.

According to ‘The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey’ in USA, 3,2% of the population over the age of 50 have very low levels of B12 and up to 20% of the population is on the edge of suffering from a deficit. It would increase up to 25% in other countries and continents.

The treatment for this deficiency consists of supplements in the form of capsules, or injections in severe cases and should always be under medical supervision and knowing the level of deficiency.

Lastly I want to say that the damage caused to the central nervous system is irreversible, which is something that could have been easily avoided with an early diagnosis and treatment.  

Dr J. Hurtado Martínez

Medical Director of HealthSalus