Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin.
Unlike most water soluble vitamins, B12 is not excreted in your urine.
Rather, it builds up in your body, mostly in your liver.
This means that in order to develop a b12 deficiency, you must consume low levels of b12 for an extended period of time.
In fact, most experts say that people with b12 deficiencies have either not consumed enough b12 or had absorption issues for five or six years before any symptoms begin to show up.
Having low levels of b12 has numerous consequences in the body.
One of the most commonly recognized is neurological issues that are so severe that they are often mistaken for Alzheimer's.
Left untreated, this can result in permanent neurological damage.
Long before it gets to this point, other symptoms of a B12 deficiency appear.
Earlier symptoms of a B12 deficiency include a racing heart, weakness, extreme fatigue, light headedness, paleness, sore tongue, bleeding gums, gastrointestinal disorders and a loss of appetite.
When things progress a bit more the neurological symptoms begin to take effect.
Signs of neurological damage due to low levels of B12 are confusion, depression, tingling hands and feet, coordination issues, absent mindedness, impulse control and dementia.
The challenge is that there is such a wide variety of symptoms, very often a b12 deficiency will either go undiagnosed or be mistaken for something else.
Many people accept some of the earliest signs of B12 deficiency as an acceptable part of aging.
Detecting a B12 deficiency is more important than most people think.
Recent research shows that low levels of B12 are connected with the development of numerous chronic diseases.
Among them is heart disease.
This is because when B12 levels dip, the level of homocysteine in the body goes up.
Homocysteine is a toxic amino acid that has been linked to the development of chronic disease.
Taking methyl-B12 shots has been shown to decrease homocysteine levels in individuals who currently have high levels.
While pretty much anyone can develop low levels of B12, there are certain groups that have a much higher risk.
Because B12 is only found in fish, meat and dairy, vegetarians and vegans are at very high risk of having low levels.
There are also certain conditions that lead to Malabsorption.
Having had gastrointestinal surgery, a tapeworm infestation, and a bacterial overgrowth in your intestines can all make it impossible for your body to absorb B12.
Older people are also much more likely to have low B12 levels.
If you are in a high risk group, taking supplemental b12 can be a good idea.
You should also ask your doctor to test your B12 levels.
Unlike most water soluble vitamins, B12 is not excreted in your urine.
Rather, it builds up in your body, mostly in your liver.
This means that in order to develop a b12 deficiency, you must consume low levels of b12 for an extended period of time.
In fact, most experts say that people with b12 deficiencies have either not consumed enough b12 or had absorption issues for five or six years before any symptoms begin to show up.
Having low levels of b12 has numerous consequences in the body.
One of the most commonly recognized is neurological issues that are so severe that they are often mistaken for Alzheimer's.
Left untreated, this can result in permanent neurological damage.
Long before it gets to this point, other symptoms of a B12 deficiency appear.
Earlier symptoms of a B12 deficiency include a racing heart, weakness, extreme fatigue, light headedness, paleness, sore tongue, bleeding gums, gastrointestinal disorders and a loss of appetite.
When things progress a bit more the neurological symptoms begin to take effect.
Signs of neurological damage due to low levels of B12 are confusion, depression, tingling hands and feet, coordination issues, absent mindedness, impulse control and dementia.
The challenge is that there is such a wide variety of symptoms, very often a b12 deficiency will either go undiagnosed or be mistaken for something else.
Many people accept some of the earliest signs of B12 deficiency as an acceptable part of aging.
Detecting a B12 deficiency is more important than most people think.
Recent research shows that low levels of B12 are connected with the development of numerous chronic diseases.
Among them is heart disease.
This is because when B12 levels dip, the level of homocysteine in the body goes up.
Homocysteine is a toxic amino acid that has been linked to the development of chronic disease.
Taking methyl-B12 shots has been shown to decrease homocysteine levels in individuals who currently have high levels.
While pretty much anyone can develop low levels of B12, there are certain groups that have a much higher risk.
Because B12 is only found in fish, meat and dairy, vegetarians and vegans are at very high risk of having low levels.
There are also certain conditions that lead to Malabsorption.
Having had gastrointestinal surgery, a tapeworm infestation, and a bacterial overgrowth in your intestines can all make it impossible for your body to absorb B12.
Older people are also much more likely to have low B12 levels.
If you are in a high risk group, taking supplemental b12 can be a good idea.
You should also ask your doctor to test your B12 levels.
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