Did you know that as a vegan you are more prone to vitamin B12 deficiency than others? Vegetarian and vegan diets don’t cover this essential vitamin which is important for many body functions and its deficiency causes many symptoms. The good news is it is treatable with B12 supplements or injections. Learn what are the reasons for B12 deficiency in vegan diets in this article. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.

Reasons for B12 deficiency with vegan diets and symptoms

B12 is an essential vitamin that our body needs for many functions. The body needs it in incredibly low amounts compared to other vitamins. But the problem is, with vegan diets, it is very hard to get adequate amounts of cobalamin from a plant-based diet compared to an animal-based diet.

Scientists have found that in the past humans got adequate amounts of cobalamin from the amount of dirt found on plants’ surfaces which is the same as plant-eating animals like cattle get this nutrient. But with today’s hygiene standards of food products, most people aren’t able to ingest trace amounts of soil with their fruits and vegetables, so they don’t get B12.

Recent research confirms that there is a high B12 deficiency in vegetarians and vegans because the study reported that:

• Vegans who don’t take supplements develop B12 deficiency more than all other types of vegetarians.
• All forms of vegetarian diets lack vitamin B12 deficiency compared to diets that include meat.
• Vegans and vegetarians need to take B12 supplements to avoid the negative effects of developing it deficiency.

Vegans and vegetarians are more likely to develop B12 deficiency and experience symptoms like:

• Weakness, fatigue, and dizziness.
• Heart palpitations
• Pallid skin
• Constipation, diarrhea, and gassiness
• Vision loss
• Numbness or tingling in the extremities
• Depression and memory loss
• Sore tongue
• Confusion and hallucinations
• Personality changes
• Reduced sensitivity to pain or pressure

Often these symptoms take several months to a year to develop and recognize, however, if you’re a vegan or vegetarian and feel down or fatigued, you may be B12 deficient.

Keep in mind that there is no consistent or reliable set of symptoms that permanently damage adults from B12 deficiency. However, infants typically show more rapid symptoms than adults. They may develop a loss of energy and appetite and failure to thrive, which if not treated on time can lead to coma and death. Again, no consistent pattern of symptoms is seen, but infants are more prone to permanent damage than adults.

Some infants can make a full recovery while others show retarded development. So, as a vegan or vegetarian you should understand the importance of B12 and take the necessary steps to maintain the levels of this vitamin and prevent its deficiency in yourself and your family.

Benefits of B12 injections

To treat vitamin B12 deficiency, the doctor may recommend oral B12 supplements or B12 injections to boost your cobalamin levels. However, the human body’s ability to absorb oral B12 is limited due to glycoprotein in the digestive tract which limits the bioavailability of B12. So, for every 500 ug of oral B12 supplement ingested, only 10 ug is absorbed. To prevent this issue without affecting your digestive tract, B12 injections are used.

These injections are injected directly into the vein of the arm, and they spread very quickly in the body and reach organs and muscles without disturbing your digestive tract. Usually, it is distributed within 1 hour of injection. As its absorption rate is higher you don’t need them as frequently as the pills. Once your B12 levels are maintained, you may need injection after 3 to 6 months of gap.

Besides these benefits of B12 injections, here are some additional benefits you can enjoy with B12 injections:

• Boosts energy
• Prevents memory loss and neurodegenerative disease
• Improves mood and cognition
• Fights heart disease
• Lower cancer risk
• Promotes healthy skin, hair, and nails.
• Improves digestion
• Supports red blood cell production

If you’re a vegan or vegetarian, you’re more likely to suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency because plant-based diets don’t have cobalamin in them. To prevent that deficiency, you can either go with vitamin B12 oral supplements or B12 injections. B12 injections are a better option because their absorption rate is high and provide additional benefits that are missing with B12 oral supplements. However, your treatment depends on the severity of vitamin B12 deficiency (whether you need B12 injections or B12 oral supplements).

So, if you’re experiencing symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, visit our general practitioner clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. The doctors at Doral Health & Wellness consistently have outstanding patient satisfaction ratings. The professionals at Doral Health & Wellness Urgent Care Brooklyn can improve their patient’s health and quality of life because of their vast training and experience. New Yorkers can get the greatest medical, surgical, and cardiovascular care at Doral Health & Wellness Brooklyn. Visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212.