The elderly need to increase their intake of vitamin B12, in order to avoid memory loss from B12 deficiency.  Brain loss caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is a part of the aging process, but by getting enough vitamin B12 in your blood, you can prevent suffering the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Chicago study links low levels of vitamin B12 with memory loss

A 2011 study that focused on 121 community-dwelling participants of the Chicago Health and Aging Project found a strong correlation between vitamin B12 deficiency and memory loss.  Scientists measured methylmalonate levels to determine vitamin B12 deficiency.

• They found a direct relationship between low levels of vitamin B12, reduced brain volume, and decreased cognitive skills, such as loss of short-term memory.
• Scientists noted poorer memory skills, slower thinking processes, and impaired comprehension skills as attributes associated with elevated methylmalonate levels- an indicator of vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Also considered were plasma homocysteine levels, which scientists also connected with loss of brain mass.  High levels of homocysteine are common in vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Scientists concluded that methylmalonate, an indicator of vitamin B12 deficiency, has a direct impact on brain volume, and that vitamin B12 has multiple benefits on brain chemistry beyond just memory skills.
• In 2008, a UK study conducted by the University of Oxford produced similar results; namely, that vitamin B12 deficiency is a likely cause of brain atrophy, dementia, and short-term memory loss among the elderly.

How to keep Vitamin B12 Deficiency from Shrinking your Brain

For the elderly, eating foods with vitamin B12 isn’t enough

Eating plenty of foods rich in vitamin B12 is always a good idea; such foods include protein sources like beef, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, and cheese. But for the elderly, the problem isn’t really eating enough sources of vitamin B12, but rather digesting them.  Part of the aging process involves making less stomach acids that are necessary for absorbing vitamin B12 from foods.  As a result, many elderly individuals who include meat in their diet still run a high risk for getting B12 deficiency.

Unless blood tests indicate healthy levels of vitamin B12, senior citizens must supplement with vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) with a routine prescribed B12 shot in order to avoid the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.  Another popular option is adding a vitamin B12 patch.

Memory loss in B12 deficiency for the young and old

It isn’t just the elderly who should be concerned with memory loss- short-term memory loss is one of many symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, regardless of age.

Vitamin B12- How much do you need?

Other symptoms of dangerously low B12 levels are:

• Chronic fatigue
• Depression
• Difficulty concentrating
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Aggressive behavior
• Hallucinations
• Balance problems
• Poor muscular control
• Numbness or tingling in hands, arms, feet, and legs
• Sore, red swollen tongue
• Altered taste perception

Long-term exposure to vitamin B12 deficiency could result in severe neurological damage, pernicious anemia, increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and cancer, and osteoporosis.

Read more about vitamin B12 deficiency and memory loss:

12 Ways to Avoid Alzheimer’s Disease

FDA Approves Brain Scan to Detect Alzheimer’s Disease

Adult ADHD Could Lead to Dementia

Sources:

Low Vitamin B12 Linked to Smaller Brains and Cognitive Decline

Vitamin B12 Levels Linked to Memory Skills and Brain Size

Low Vitamin B12 May Speed Brain Shrinkage

Low Vitamin B12 Linked to Smaller Brain Size

Elevated Plasma Homocysteine Is Associated with Increased Brain Atrophy Rates in Older Subjects with Mild Hypertension

Vitamin B12, cognition, and brain MRI measures- A cross-sectional examination

Vitamin B12 status and rate of brain volume loss in community-dwelling elderly

Image credits, from top:

Was a bee, Sean.lewis29, Ambro, photostock

Is there any connection between lupus and vitamin B12 deficiency? That’s a question asked often both by people with low B12 and diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Both autoimmune diseases share similar symptoms, and it’s important to know how to tell the difference.

Cruising for a Bruising? Choose Vitamin B12 Shots or Anemia

What is lupus?

Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease that can cause damage to your muscles, bones, organs, and skin tissue.  Like other autoimmune disorders, lupus causes your body’s immune system to attack healthy cells tissue, causing swelling, inflammation, and pain.  Damage to your system may include kidney damage, heart attack, lung damage, joint pain, and blood diseases such as anemia (more on this later).

100 Best Sites for Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Information

Symptoms of B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the most common deficiencies in the US. Even if you eat plenty of sources rich in vitamin B12 (meat, chicken, fish, eggs, and milk), your B12 levels may be at risk if you have had bariatric surgery, take antacid medicine for acid reflux, are among the elderly, have a gastrointestinal autoimmune disease like Crohn’s or celiac disease, or if you are a diabetic taking metformin.

6 Degrees of Vitamin B12- B12 Deficiency and Autoimmune Disease

How does lupus mimic vitamin B12 deficiency?

Many symptoms of lupus mimic those of vitamin B12 deficiency, making it difficult to determine low B12 levels without taking a vitamin B12 blood test.

• Cognitive functioning and mood disorders. Anxiety, depression, headaches, and short-term memory loss are symptoms common to both lupus patients and vitamin B12 deficiency sufferers.
• Chronic fatigue. Chronic fatigue shares a comorbid relationship with lupus and B12 deficiency.
• Nerve damage. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes neurological damage such as aching joints and arthritis-like muscular pain.  Lupus causes swollen joints, arthritis, and inflamed joints.
• Shortness of breath is a symptom of low B12 and lupus.
• Hair loss. B12 deficiency may cause premature hair loss and greying.  Hair loss is also a symptom common to lupus patients.
• Mouth ulcers are typical for vitamin B12 patients and lupus sufferers.
• Skin rashes are a side effect of chronic B12 deficiency.  Likewise, lupus patients suffer skin rashes across the cheeks and nose (malar rash).
• Anemia. One of the most highly correlated symptoms shared by vitamin B12 deficiency patients and lupus patients alike is the susceptibility to anemia.  Left untreated, B12 deficiency can lead to pernicious anemia (megaloblastic anemia).  More than half of all lupus patients suffer from blood disorders, particularly anemia.
• Heart disease and cancer. Lupus and pernicious anemia patients alike are at high risk for contracting heart disease and cancer.
• Bone loss (osteoporosis) is a risk factor for lupus patients and individuals with vitamin B12 deficiency.

Read more about B12 deficiency and autoimmune diseases:

Vitamin B12 and your Bones- Osteoporosis from B12 Deficiency

Female Rapper Missy Elliot, 15 Celebs with Thyroid Disorders

Best 15 Twitter Feeds to follow for Autoimmune Disease Info

7 Celebs with Lupus

Sources:

Lupus Hope- Get Your B12 Levels Checked!

Lupus Foundation of America- Blood Disorders

Vitamin B12 For Lupus & Crohn’s Disease- LIVESTRONG.COM

What is Lupus?

Image credits, from top:

Ton Haex, taysm, grietgriet

For years, vitamin B12 has been the staple energy vitamin for stars such as Madonna, Justin Timberlake, and Prince.  Now, B12 vitamins are part of Glee star Lea Michele’s regimen against vitamin B12 deficiency. Find out why celebrities such as Lea Michele rely on B12 supplements for added stamina, strength, and mental focus.

The Glee star’s secret to weight loss

How does Lea Michele, who plays the bossy, competitive, (and sometimes infuriating) Rachel on Glee keep her figure?  Recently, she confessed to following a strictly macrobiotic vegan diet, composed of mostly vegetables, grains, and beans. By cutting out meat, chicken, and dairy products from her diet, Lea has managed to lose ten pounds since she first started filming on the set.

Vitamin B12 for Weight Loss- Why it Works

How does she avoid B12 deficiency?

Lea admits to also eating a few servings of fish per week, in order to avoid getting vitamin B12 deficiency.  Since Vitamin B12 occurs only in animal-based foods, such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and milk, supplementing with extra vitamin B12 is crucial for avoiding low B12 blood levels.  How does she justify introducing a non-vegan source into her vegan diet?  Apparently, macrobiotic veganism makes special allowances for seafood.  Lea Michele understands that a diet low in vitamin B12 is a diet that leads to B12 deficiency symptoms.

Balance your B12, Balance your Nerves

What are the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency?

People who deplete their stores of vitamin B12 encounter symptoms such as extreme fatigue, muscular weakness, depression, diminished coordination, memory loss, and frequent numbness or tingling sensations (pins and needles) in their hands, arms, legs, and feet. Untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency escalates into pernicious anemia, dementia, neurological damage, osteoporosis, and increased risk for heart attack, cancer, and stroke.

6 Degrees of Vitamin B12- B12 Deficiency and Autoimmune Disease

How does vitamin B12 benefit an active lifestyle?

Vitamin B12 influences a wide range of bodily functions- by ensuring balanced B12 levels in your blood supply, you feel more energized, stimulated, confident, and “gleeful.”

• Vitamin B12 is instrumental in DNA synthesis
• Vitamin B12 protects your nervous system
• Vitamin B12 boosts your metabolism
• Vitamin B12 controls homocysteine levels, reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke
• Vitamin B12 supports cognitive functioning
• Vitamin B12 protects you from vitamin deficiency symptoms of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and “brain fog”
• Vitamin B12 helps you stay on track with your fitness regimen and enables you to make better food choices

Read more about the many health benefits of vitamin B12:

Justin Bieber among 10 Celeb “Beliebers” in Vitamin B12 Shots

The Vitamin B12 Patch for Energy

The Many Benefits of Vitamin B12…

Sources:

Lea Michele Bikini Body Secrets Includes Diet, B12 Shots

Vitamin B12 | ‘Glee’ The star Lea Michele surprisingly fit

Lea Michele Injects B12 and Eats Fish, According to ASOS Magazine

Image credits, from top:

gospelportals, karlnorling,

Vitamin B12 supplements essential as part of your weight loss program. What are the benefits of vitamin B12 for weight loss?  Vitamin B12 boosts metabolism, in addition to providing energy and stabilizing the mood.

The Many Benefits of Vitamin B12…

B12 boosts metabolism

Vitamin B12 contains cobalt; together, the minerals that make up vitamin B12, cobalamin, are essential coenzymes that increase metabolism by converting food to energy in the body.  In diagnosing vitamin B12 deficiency, researchers often take into account changes in the metabolic rate, in addition to measuring levels of B12 and homocysteine.

“Elevated methylmalonic acid levels might be a more reliable indicator of vitamin B12 status because they indicate a metabolic change that is highly specific to vitamin B12 deficiency.” - National Institutes of Health

People with high metabolisms tend to lose weight more quickly and efficiently than others who have slower metabolic rates.  In order to burn fat at an optimal rate, it is essential to maintain healthy stores of vitamin B12.

B12 boosts energy

If you have symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, then you experience symptoms such as tiredness, muscular weakness, decreased motor skills, and lack of energy.  Unfortunately, many people who suffer symptoms of low B12 don’t even know it. Often, comorbid conditions such as clinical depression, anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, diabetes, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), or hypothyroidism (low thyroid) mask the signs of vitamin B12 deficiency.  So, despite taking treatments such as antidepressants, insulin, thyroid medications, or pain relievers, they continue to feel sad and tired all the time, battling with constant “brain fog” without knowing why.

The Vitamin B12 Patch for Energy

Increasing your energy level provides mental focus, determination, and emotional wellness, in addition to improving your quality of life.  These things together assure weight loss success by enabling you to stick to a workout routine, increase your sports performance and stamina, challenge yourself in the gym, and stay on track.

B12 boosts mood

Common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are depression, chronic fatigue, anxiety, paranoia, and unusually aggressive behavior.  When you are in a bad mood, you are more likely to make poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking, drug use, oversleeping, eating fattening, salty or sugary foods, and sedentary activities like television watching and playing video games.

Eating Your Way Out of Depression with B-12

Scientists have proven a high correlation between depression and weight gain.  If you feel sluggish, depressed, or more fatigued than usual, then you are statistically less likely to follow an exercise regimen or commit yourself to a new weight loss diet.  Only by taking vitamin B12 supplements can you begin to lose weight efficiently and reliably.

Read more about the benefits of vitamin B12:

Balance your B12, Balance your Nerves

Vitamin B12- How much do you need?

Sources:

Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B12

Does B12 Speed Up Metabolism?

How Can a B12 Deficiency Affect the Metabolism? Livestrong

What Are the Benefits of Vitamin B12 for Weight Loss? Livestrong

Image credits, from top:

Ambro, photostock

Did you know that Vitamin B12 is one of the most important vitamins for bones? Osteoporosis is one of many B12 deficiency symptoms. Studies prove that elderly individuals who maintain high levels of B12 are less likely to suffer from fractured or broken bones than those who neglect to supplement with B12 shots.

What is the cause of osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis happens with age for millions of Americans- there exist many factors that cause loss of bone mass, brittle bones, and other symptoms of osteoporosis.  Low calcium absorption is one cause of broken bones and fractured hips in old age, but other causes include:

• Estrogen deficiency in women
• Testosterone deficiency in men
• Thyroid disorders
• Smoking and alcohol use
• Vitamin deficiency, including calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12

What is B12 deficiency?

Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs from neglecting to eat a diet rich in sources of vitamin B12, such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and milk, but it can occur if your body is unable to extract vitamin B12 from foods that you eat.  Such is the case for millions of individuals, either because

• (a) they lack “intrinsic factor,” a protein required for digesting vitamin B12 naturally from foods
• (b) because of drug interactions, such as metformin for diabetes, or
• (c) because of post-gastrectomy complications that resulted in pernicious anemia. (Read Vitamin B12 deficiency after Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss)

What are the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency?

Unless treated, B12 deficiency causes pernicious anemia (low red blood cells), neurological damage, dementia, osteoporosis, malnourishment, and increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and cancer.  Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are:

• Fatigue, listlessness
• Depression
• Memory loss
• Anxiety
• Psychosis
• Numbness and tingling sensations in hands and feet
• Muscular feebleness
• Frequent stumbling
• Altered taste perception
• Red, swollen tongue
• Unusually pale complexion

What do studies say about the benefits of vitamin B12?

In a study conducted by Tufts University that focused on low-plasma vitamin B12 and bone mineral density (BMD), researchers found that men who had the lowest levels of B12 in their blood also had the lowest bone mineral density, particularly in their hipbones.  Similarly, women who suffered vitamin B12 deficiency exhibited severely low BMD in their spine.

They concluded that vitamin B12 deficiency is a significant risk factor for osteoporosis, which explains why the loss of bone mass occurs so frequently among the elderly:

As you age, your body produces fewer stomach acids needed for digesting vitamins and minerals.

As a result, many senior citizens develop vitamin deficiencies, including B12 deficiency.  Since they are unable to absorb B12 through the digestive system, they must therefore deposit it directly into the bloodstream, either through prescribed B12 shots, or with non-prescription B12 patches.

Another study by the University of Michigan recognized severe osteoporosis as a cause of pernicious anemia from vitamin B12 deficiency.

What are the best vitamins for osteoporosis?

It is crucial to eat a diet rich in all essential vitamins and minerals, in addition to taking regular vitamin supplements.  The best vitamins for bones are vitamin D and vitamin B-12.

If you suspect you have vitamin B12 deficiency, then ask your doctor for a blood test.  If diagnosed, then you will require routine vitamin B12 supplements until your B12 levels are back to normal.

Read more about preventing vitamin B12 deficiency:

Absorbing Vitamin B12, a Metabolic Gastrointestinal Journey

Nine Healthiest Canned Foods: Many Contain Vitamin B12

Pregnancy and B12 Deficiency

Sources:

Fight Osteoporosis: Bone Up On B12

Low plasma vitamin B12 is associated with lower BMD: the Framingham Osteoporosis Study- PubMed NCBI

Reversal of severe osteoporosis with vitamin B12 and etidronate therapy in a patient with pernicious anemia- PubMed NCBI

Post-Gastrectomy Syndrome Overview- Cleveland Clinic

What Causes Osteoporosis? And Why?

Image credits, from top:

starpause kid, Idea go, Paul, Carlos Porto

Vitamin B12 is essential for your nervous system;  Find out how Vitamin B12 supplements like the B12 Patch can help you live a healthier lifestyle.

What is vitamin B12?

Vitamin B-12, or Cobalamin, is an essential nutrient that occurs naturally in protein food sources, such as beef, poultry, fish, eggs, and milk.  The B12 vitamin is one of the B-complex vitamins.  Other B vitamins are vitamin B9 (folate) and vitamin B3 (niacin).

B12 Benefits

Vitamin B12 is important for many bodily functions.  B12 helps your body produce red blood cells, regulates your nervous system, boosts your immunity, and protects cognitive functioning.  Some other benefits of vitamin B12 include lowering your risk for heart attack, stroke, cancer, and toxic reactions.

B12 Deficiency: Don’t Ignore the Symptoms

Folic acid and B12

Vitamin B12 and vitamin B9, in addition to vitamin B3 are necessary for breaking down and regulating DNA.  According to the Linus Pauling Institute, damaged DNA is one of the many risk factors associated with cancer.  In case studies, women with the lowest amount of vitamin B12 were twice as likely to get breast cancer as women who had healthy B12 levels.

Low B12 and cancer risks

Previous studies examining the effect of alcoholism on breast cancer noted that low folate levels, combined with B12 deficiency, raise one’s risk of getting cancer.  Likewise, female alcoholics who had high levels of vitamin B12 and folate were less likely to suffer from breast cancer than test subjects who were deficient in B vitamins. One such case study conducted by the Institute of Public Health in Mexico concluded that high vitamin B12 levels among female Mexican participants accounted for a 68% lower risk for breast cancer than those who suffered from vitamin B12 deficiency.

What is the best way to get vitamin B12?

The best way to get enough vitamin B12 in your diet is by eating plenty of lean meats, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Foods that have the highest levels of vitamin B12 are clams, oysters, beef liver, and halibut.  However, eating B12-rich foods does not guarantee against vitamin B12 deficiency.  Some people are unable to digest B12 naturally from foods, and must take B12 supplements in order to avoid symptoms of malnourishment, such as fatigue, depression, irritability, numbness in hands and feet, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating.

Most physicians prescribe vitamin B12 shots, sublingual B12, or b12 vitamins after diagnosing B12 deficiency.  Another popular option is to supplement with nonprescription vitamin B12 patches, which are painless and more convenient.  The B12 patch contains a similar 1000 mcg dosage of vitamin B12 as B12 injections.

Read more about vitamin B12 benefits:

Vitamin B12- How much do you need?

Cruising for a Bruising? Choose Vitamin B12 Shots or Anemia

Signs and Symptoms of 6 Types of Anemia Blood Disease

Sources:

Vitamin B Supplements: Can You Prevent Cancer With Vitamins?

Benefits Of Taking Vitamin B12- LIVESTRONG.COM

Vitamins that Protect and Repair DNA to Prevent Cancer and Slow Aging

Alcohol and risk of breast cancer in Mexican women

Folate, vitamin B12 and postmenopausal breast cancer in a prospective study of French women

Image credits, from top:

jscreationzs, Maggie Smith, Idea go, Paul, Suat Eman

The many benefits of Vitamin B12 Patch are awesome.  Vitamin B12 contains cobalamin, a water-soluble protein-based nutrient that provides energy and boosts cognitive skills.  B12 wears many hats, protecting you from pernicious anemia, early-onset dementia, heart disease, and chronic fatigue.

A weekly Vitamin B-12 patch helps your body produce red blood cells for oxygen, aids in skin renewal, and regulates your nervous system.  Without sufficient B12 levels, you would feel worn down, lacking in energy, depressed, and disoriented.  These are all common side effects of vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Vitamin Deficiencies can drive you Crazy- Seriously! Part 1

Low energy levels could signal vitamin B12 deficiency

The National Institutes of Health Medical Encyclopedia lists “lack of energy” as one of the symptoms of B12 deficiency.  Other low B-12 symptoms are:

• Chronic fatigue
• Depression
• Dementia
• Short-term memory loss
• Difficulty concentrating
• Numbness or tingling sensations in hands and feet
• Loss of balance

Why vitamin B12 is the “energy vitamin”

The B12 vitamin has gained a lot of media attention over the years as a popular energy booster, the miracle vitamin that provides mental clarity, vitality, and promotes athletic endurance.  These claims are all true- if you happen to be among millions of sufferers of B-12 deficiency.

“Due to its role in energy metabolism, vitamin B12 is frequently promoted as an energy enhancer and an athletic performance and endurance booster.” -National Institutes of Health

How can I be sure that I’m getting enough vitamin B12?

The real question isn’t if you consume enough vitamin B12- unless you’re a vegan, then you probably eat enough meat, dairy, and fish meals that are packed with vitamin B12. The problem for many sufferers of B12 deficiency is that they are unable to digest vitamin B12 from dietary sources.  The liver stores vitamin B12 for a while, but unless you constantly replenish your supply with a B12 patch, you will start to feel the symptoms of B12 deficiency, which can lead to pernicious anemia and increased risk for heart attack or stroke.

Get a blood test.

The only way to find out if you have vitamin B12 deficiency is to visit your doctor and request a B12 blood screening.  If you are low in B12, then you have the option of taking B12 supplements.  A weekly B12 injection might be prescribed, but you may opt to supplement with a weekly B12 patch as a more cost-friendly, convenient, and pain-free alternative.

Related reading:

6 Degrees of Vitamin B12- B12 Deficiency and Autoimmune Disease

Cruising for a Bruising? Choose Vitamin B12 Shots or Anemia

Sources:

Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B12

Best Vitamins for Energy

Vitamin B: A Key to Energy- Psychology Today

The Health and Beauty Benefits Of Vitamin B12

A Lack of Energy & Low B-12

Anemia – B12 deficiency: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Images:

Young Woman Dancing

Elderly Couple Dancing

Dancing Young woman

Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin) originates in most protein foods, but even meat-eaters can get vitamin B12 deficiency. Absorbing vitamin B12 is a tricky process, and people who lack the intrinsic factor protein are unable to digest B12 from natural sources.  Learning about B12 supplement absorption is essential for avoiding B-12 deficiency symptoms.

Vitamin B12- What is it?

Vitamin B12, a member of the B-complex family of vitamins, is a water-soluble protein.  Most of the vitamin B12 that you eat comes from meat sources, as animal microorganisms produce it. Beef, liver, chicken, fish, and shellfish are some of the richest sources of vitamin B-12, in addition to eggs, cheese, and other dairy products.  The only widely confirmed vegan form of B12 occurs in brewer’s yeast.

This is your Body on B12

The benefits of vitamin B12 for your body are expansive.

• Vitamin B12 assists in producing oxygen-spreading red blood cells.
• Vitamin B12 also protects the myelin sheathe, which protects your nervous system.
• Vitamin B12 reinforces cognitive functioning- sufficient levels of B12 help to prevent symptoms of autism, and to delay the onset of dementia.
• Supplementing with vitamin B12 renews energy, memory, mental clarity, and feelings of well-being in individuals who suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Long-term vitamin B12 deficiency causes depression, anxiety, fatigue, memory loss, numbness, and tingling.  Untreated, it can lead to pernicious anemia, stroke, heart attack, or osteoporosis. (B12 Deficiency: Don’t Ignore the Symptoms)

Most People Digest B12 like this…

Vitamin B12’s journey through your body is a complicated, tricky procedure, and many things can go wrong.

• 1. When you consume dietary vitamin B12 (from food), it immediately clings to hydrochloric acid and pepsin, a gastric enzyme that your body makes- except for when it doesn’t. (More on this later.)
• 2. In your stomach, digestive acids separate vitamin B12 (cobalamin) from its protein part.  Also in your stomach, gastric parietal cells produce a substance called intrinsic factor- a necessary glycoprotein for digesting B12.
• 3. Vitamin B12 combines with “R protein,” thus becoming B-complex.  B complex, along with intrinsic factor, travels to the small intestine.
• 4. In the small intestine, R protein and B-complex separate.  B12 then attaches itself to intrinsic factor.
• 5. The B12/intrinsic factor complex travels through the small intestine, finally arriving at the very bottom, where it reaches the terminal ileum.  The ileum then absorbs the vitamin B12 and distributes it into your bloodstream, where it is then stored in the liver.

Things that can go wrong with vitamin B12 Absorption

Some people are unable to digest vitamin B12 properly from food, and must instead supplement with vitamin B12 injections or B12 patches, which go directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the need for digestion.

You might need a B12 patch if…

• You don’t have intrinsic factor. Lack of intrinsic factor is an autoimmune response, in which autoantibodies destroy intrinsic factor proteins produced in the stomach.  Since intrinsic factor is required in order to digest B12, the only way to avoid B12 deficiency is to bypass digestion by taking vitamin B12 supplements.
• You are among the elderly. The majority of senior citizens don’t produce the amount of stomach acids needed to break down B12 for digestion.  Even the minimum amount of vitamin B12 recommended by physicians is not enough to avoid dementia caused by B12 deficiency, so elderly individuals are a high-risk group.  To prevent early-onset Alzheimer’s disease or neurological damage, transdermal vitamin B12 is advisable.
• You take heartburn medication. As with the elderly, people who have GERD, or others who frequently take medicine for acid-reflux, including pregnant women, are susceptible to B12 deficiency.
• You have had your ileum removed. Gastric bypass patients are at high risk for developing vitamin B12 deficiency, as are other patients of gastrointestinal surgery, such as sufferers of Crohn’s disease.  Unfortunately, many surgeons neglect to warn their patients about complications regarding vitamin B12 deficiency, and many bariatric surgery patients don’t find out about it until the symptoms- depression, fatigue, brain fog- become too hard to ignore.
• You are a vegan. The vegan diet is largely devoid of B-12 sources, so unless you are a vegetarian who eats eggs, fish, or dairy, then you must take regular vitamin B12 supplements in order to avoid B12 deficiency.
• You are diabetic. Metformin, a diabetes drug, interferes with the absorption of vitamin B12.
• You have an autoimmune disease. Many autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome are highly correlated with B12 deficiency.  Scientists are unsure as to the exact cause, but they have noted a decrease in symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and depression with the inclusion of vitamin B12 supplements.

Related:

Getting Enough Vitamin B12? Three Reasons Why You Might Not Be

Vitamin Deficiencies can drive you Crazy- Seriously! Part 1

Parasitic Worms for Crohn’s Disease- Friendly Gut Bugs

Sources:

The Importance of Vitamin B12 for Your Body

Where is b12 absorbed in the body?

How Is Vitamin B12 Absorbed by the Body?

What Do You Know About Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Low Vitamin B12 Level in Elderly May Spur Dementia

myelin sheath (anatomy) — Britannica Online Encyclopedia

Images: Wikimedia Commons, Free Digital Photos

Benefits of Vitamin B12:

Although the body needs only trace amounts of vitamin B12, it plays a significant role in performing some vital functions. For example, deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause health problems such as; numbness of the hands and feet, depression, hallucinations, insomnia, memory loss, dizziness, and poor balance. Vitamin B12 deficiency is also sometimes responsible for loss of appetite, constipation, digestive disorders, eye disorders, enlargement of the liver, inflammation of the tongue, labored breathing, and neurological damage. Anemia is one of the major diseases that are caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12. Everyone needs to be aware that proper intake of vitamin B12 can help prevent many health disorders and serious diseases.

A General Overview of Vitamin B12:

Vitamins are essential for overall health and well-being. Vitamins are required by the body in certain specific amounts for the proper functioning of various organs and glands. Vitamin B12 is an important member of the B vitamin family. One of the most active ingredients in vitamin B12 is cobalt, and therefore this vitamin is also known as Cobalamin. Vitamin B12 is found naturally in meat, eggs, soy, and diary products. Vitamin B12 is very important for the body because it is required for the synthesis of red blood cells, maintenance of the nervous system, and also growth and development in children. Deficiency of vitamin B12 causes anemia.